I stumbled across a nice calculator that you can put your tank size in and what fish you think you may want and it will give you information on your filtration level, overstock level, fish compatibility, etc. have yourself a look, www.aqadvisor.com (yes its free)
10g - When is it considered overstocked?
- Thread starter SportingLions
- Start date
I used the API Master Test kit for Salt-water as I was told this is one of the more accurate test kits and I am going the salt-water route, and I'm not a fan of test strips.
I cycled using the Nutrafin line of treatments. Nutrafin CYCLE to establish a bacterial biology, the Tap water treatment. The filters I use contain Zyme.
Parameters were:
High pH - 8.0
Ammonia 0.0ppm
Nitrite 0.0ppm
Nitrate 25ppm (That's what the tap water read as well)
Tank is equipped with a 50W heater, temp is at a constant between 27-28c according to a digital thermometer
Tank also equipped with an air pump for a bubble producing decoration to help with oxygen.
I really like the small Corydoras and Mollys. The Guppies I've seen seem also seem very energetic. I'm not a fan of Tetras as they seemed kinda boring to me. I like lively fish with personality as I love watching fish dart around and go about doing what they do. The Tetras I've seen in stores and people's setups seem to just coast and not do much while the other kinds I mentioned are always busy exploring or working like the Corydoras do.
Basically I want to sort of mimic what my friend has (But maybe with slightly less numbers?), but minus the Tetras, but I'm willing to trade a species out if I learn of another compatible fish that's just as lively as the others. Let me know what else I should check out.
Last edited:
Thank you, I'm familiar with it, but I was also told not to use it religiously as it's very conservative. It's a good guide none the less.
ok im not understanding. why do you have a saltwater test kit? every fish you listed is freshwater. guppies will work in your tank maybe 3 males and 6 pygmy, habrosus, OR panda corys, but larger corys like peppered, julii, bronze, etc. wont work.
I'm glad you found my post useful but didn't mean to discourage you from starting with a 10g, just stating that my preference for a community tank is a 20g long or larger. If you've already got a cycled 10g tank then keep doing your research & stock it accordingly keeping everything in mind
edited) that's been shared by everyone in this thread 
. You can at least get into a maintenance regimen & continue learning with a 10g until space & $$ allow you to upgrade to a 20g long or larger. If & when you do eventually upgrade to a larger tank you can convert the 10g to a quarantine tank, another often overlooked aspect to fish keeping by new hobbyists (either keep it set up or break it down & stow it away in a closet etc; until needed). Quarantining new stock will spare you a lot of grief & frustration.
Last edited:
LOL the book probably takes into account that the guppies will breed until you need the 20g to house them all. :laugh:
Ok, now I'm very confused. I was told by several people that salt would benefit the Mollies, my primary fish... I have salt in the water (2 tbls, 1 per 5g).
I have added ammonia 2 weeks ago to see if it would cycle out, now I'm at 0ppm meaning it's working, no?
I have added ammonia 2 weeks ago to see if it would cycle out, now I'm at 0ppm meaning it's working, no?
You've got me worried now. So I searched for salt and corys. Many say salt is not needed unless your fish are sick, or unless you have Mollies and Guppys that thrive in it. The effects on Corys are said to be non existent if you stick to the dosages the box says, 1tbls per 5g.
http://www.yamatogreen.com/salt.htm
This hobby has so much conflicting information. Who do you believe? =S
http://www.yamatogreen.com/salt.htm
This hobby has so much conflicting information. Who do you believe? =S
