Should i get dwarf corys or more guppies?

[Kimm87]

My sons 10g currently houses 6 male guppies a giant clump of hornwort and some anubius nana. My plan was to add 6 corys when the tank stabilizes, which will add some life and movment to the tank. The guy at the fish store said I should get female guppies and could sell the excess guppies back to the store. But i have 6 males which means adding 10-20 females even with plants is a 10 gallon really up to that many guppies? How often would i need to do water changes?

 

[Colin_T]

Don't add female guppies. If you want to breed guppies set up a tank for the females and have a separate tank for males. Then once a month you can take a male and put him in with the females, leave him with them for a few days, then move him back into the male tank. That way the females can live happy peaceful lives without the constant harassment from the males trying to breed with them. The females will give birth in their tank and you can move the babies out when they are old enough.

If you have to mix male and female livebearers, the ratio is at least 4 females per male and preferably more than 6 females per male.

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How hard is the water and what is the pH?
Pygmy Corydoras prefer soft water with a neutral pH (around 7.0). Guppies prefer harder water with an alkaline pH (above 7.0).

 

[Kimm87]

No idea the petsmart water test says water hardness is between 75 -150 but doesnt have an actual nunber or any info and says the ph is between 7.2 and 7.8 but again no actual info. I dont have $30 to drop on a test kit so

 

[zain611]

I think corys also like a soft substrate. I used to have corys in my 28 litre sand tank and I'd see them dig into the sand and can see the sand come out through their gills. A course gravel substrate I don't think is good for corys as they'd just cut their whiskers.

Also be sure the tank is cycled or is able to handle more fish. You dont want the guppies to get more prone to diseases. I've been there when starting out and it was upsetting

 

[seangee]

Your hardness and ph should be available on your water suppliers website, or thou could phone them. We really can't advise on fish without this info. The above comment on corys and substrate is correct

 

[Colin_T]

No idea the petsmart water test says water hardness is between 75 -150 but doesnt have an actual nunber or any info and says the ph is between 7.2 and 7.8 but again no actual info. I dont have $30 to drop on a test kit so

If your water has a general hardness between 75-150ppm it is soft, and the pH is alkaline.
The pH is fine for guppies but the hardness (if correct) is a bit soft for guppies.

 

[Kimm87]

I have sand in both this tank and my frog tank.
Yeah idk our public works page is really unhelpful .

 

[Byron]

I would not get female guppies. I would doubt very much that any store would really want as many fry as you would soon have every month, and that can be a huge problem. And you are right, the bioload would explode.

Standard water changes should be regular, once a week, half the tank volume. I would not suggest entering into a situation where more than these basic are "needed," as that becomes a risk.

Dwarf species of cory are not the easiest of cories. You have sand which for these dwarf species is critical so OK there. GH and pH should be OK, though slightly acidic pH better (but guppies no). These cories need cooler temperatures (meaning, 74-75 F max). And a larger group, 8-9 is better.