Help!

[angelkitty]

Okay.

I set up my 10 gal fish tank on the 1st of this month. I put water in it and started the filter and everything.

I put a "start right" tablet in it which, on the box says it is a water conditioner and dechlorinator that you use for tank setup, water changes and adding fish.. It's for freshwater, saltwater and Goldfish.. It removes chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals.. Stimulates natural slime coat protection.. and reduces stress in fish and adds bacteria electrolytes.

THEN. I put in a Correct pH tablet.. Which on the box reads: Maintains pH of aquarium water between 6.8-7.2, holds the proper pH for several weeks, prevents stress on fish from sudden pH changes, promotes favorable conditions for tropical fish and live plants and helps lower ammonia toxicity.

Okay. So I got the ammonia tester strips and the 5 tests in one(pH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness, and Aalkalinity.)

I also got some easy balance stuff that reduces frequest water changes and reads, on the bottle: Keeps aquarium water biologically balanced for up to 6 months, stabilizes pH and alkalinity(KH) levels vital for fish and plants, and reduces nitrates and phosphate..

Yes, I have all those in my tank. So that's probably what's screwing it all up.

Anyway.

My recordings are:
Nitrate : 0
Nitrite : 0
Hardness : 15(Hard)
KH : 300(High)
pH : 7.8
Ammonia : 0
Temperature : 80F

What I would like to have in this tank:

2 Angelfish
2 Swordtails
1 Algae Eater

Okay.. Now. I would love it if someone could help me get it to where I could have at least the angelfish in this tank.

[Raskolnikov]

OK...

Unfortunately, a 10gallon tank is simply too small to house an angelfish into adulthood.

Consider a couple of platies instead of swordtails (similar fish that stay smaller), and maybe a dwarf gourami in place of the angel.

Now,
I'm not familiar with the water conditioner that you have, but be sure that it neutralizes the ammonia after breaking up chloramines.

The "Correct pH" tablet is completely unneccesary, and the use of pH altering chemicals will in fact result in fluctuation of pH. This is unhealthy to your fish. Feel free to rid yourself of the "Correct pH" product.

Return the "Easy Balance" to the store if you haven't already opened it. You will want to do weekly partial water changes, and "Easy Balance" is not a viable alternative.


You'll want to cycle your tank before adding fish. There is a sticky thread in the Freshwater Beginner forum, read through it and then post any specific questions that you might have. I personally use a piece of shrimp or some fish food as an ammonia source when establishing a new tank.

[phanmc]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but angelfishes grow large for a 10 gallon tank, a pair should be in a 30g.

Very few algae eaters will fit a 10 gallon tank as well, get an otocinclus if you can find one.

Unless your tap water has a PH above 8, you can get rid of the Correct PH tablets. Its not a good idea to mess around with the PH unless you are careful and remember to use it regularly. You can also get rid of the Easy Balance, its not necessary if you keep up your regular weekly or biweekly maintenance.

Water conditioner tablets are alright, though you'll save more money by using the liquid conditioners like Prime and Amquel.

Now about adding fish, there are two ways to go about this. There is a process called the nitrogen cycle that will occur in your tank and you can start the process by using fish or using pure ammonia. We highly suggest using the fishless process with ammonia because you won't endanger any fishes. There is a sticky on the "fishless cycling" that you should read if you choose that route.

If you choose to use fish then what you will want to do is to add a small number of fishes, like the pair of swordtails, and then test the water every other day for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Change the water when those chemicals begin to accumulate to prevent them from poisoning the fish. After about a month, when ammonia and nitrites no longer show up, you can add a few more fish.

[angelkitty]

My aunt has two angelfish in a 10 gal.. And they're fine.. They're almost fully grown.. She also has a few other in there as well.

[phanmc]

A fully grown angelfish can grow over 6" in length and twice as tall due to their fins. A 10g tank is not a healthy enviroment for them.

[angelkitty]

So I basically got all this stuff for no reason 'cause I just wanted angelfish..

[phanmc]

I can't in good conscience recommend putting 1, let alone 2, angelfishes in a 10g tank.

Try Raskolnikov's suggestion and check out a dwarf or honey gourami, they're very cute colorful fishes that don't grow large. Or perhaps a betta.

[angelkitty]

I would try a betta.. But there's none around here. So I'll just toss the tank. Thanks for the help.

[abnscout82]

You do not have to toss the tank, I had a great little 10 gallon tank. I had 3 mollies, a couple of cories, a dwarf gourami and a few rosy barbs. They did just fine, I would have to agree with the angelfish, but look around, you might find something you really like better in it. If this is not acceptable then you just found yourself a good reason to get a bigger tank.

[nlmadison]

I can't in good conscience recommend putting 1, let alone 2, angelfishes in a 10g tank.

Try Raskolnikov's suggestion and check out a dwarf or honey gourami, they're very cute colorful fishes that don't grow large. Or perhaps a betta.


These are good suggestions, but what about blue rams? They have great color and stay small (3").

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/CichlidPimp/

N.