Acceptable setup?

M

MackBlanch

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Jun 20, 2009
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I've had my aquarium for about six weeks now. After a few hitches getting started, everything seems to be going smoothly, but my impulse buys may have left my tank over populated.

10 Gallon Tank,
79 Degrees, heated
pH: 7.2, checked daily
Ammonia < .02 ppm
20% water change every 4-5 days using a siphon to vacuum the bottom

1 Betta,
3 glofish, (specially bred Zebra danios)
1 gold algae eater,
1 Khuli loach,
2 African dwarf frogs

I understand there is a theoretical "1 inch of fish per gallon". I've rationalized disregarding that by noting that the frogs, and the betta both breath from the surface and do not put a great strain on the availability of oxygen in the water. I clean the tank often, preventing a build up of waste, and all of the inhabitants seem to be eating, active, and healthy. It's not just the calm before a storm is it?
 
i'm not sure about the frogs or "gold algae eater" [you really should find out this fishes real name], but the kuhli can't stay. they need to be kept in groups of at least 4 and they get 3" each so that won't work.

also, the availability of oxygen has nothing to do with how many fish you can keep in a tank. obviously if there's no oxygen you can't keep any, but the filter flow will make plenty for any fish. labyrinth fish and frogs still have to be considered in your stocking because they still have a bio-load.

and, you should read up about cycling if you haven't already cycled your tank.
 
if you are showing ammonia readings then i would be doing water changes much more frequently and at a higher volume (say 40% or more), even twice per day if necessary, to keep ammonia as close to zero as possible. ammonia is harmful to fish. are you also testing for nitrites and nitrates, to keep an eye on what is going on with your still cycling tank?

your stocking is appropriate after you remove the loach. keep an eye on the betta for aggression towards any other fish/frogs, as some can be grumpy and some are more than mellow in a community tank.
 
Actually, kuhlii loaches generally do fine in a 10gallon tank, though you will need to add a few of them since they like being in groups. Yes, they can grow up to 3", but they are very slim-bodied and they don't need a lot of swimming space. They are very social so again, you need to add a few more (two or three?) and make sure you have hiding spaces for them.

The gold algae eater - that's another name for chinese algae eater, who get huge (up to 11") and get agressive as they get older. They'll stop eating algae and will latch on to your fish, eating their natural slime coat which can eventually kill them. Maybe get a snail? I would suggest an oto but since your water has ammonia it can kill them.

Other than that, it's fine to me :) Your tank doesn't look like it's cycled yet so keep up with those water changes...
 
otos are schooling fish and are best kept in groups. a ten gallon with this current stock does not allow for a large enough group for the otos to feel at home.

the golden algae eater could be either a CAE or an SAE (chinese or siamese). they are quite often confused with each other, from what i have read.
 
Yeah, chinese and siamese algae eaters get confused, but if it's a golden algae eater (color variation of chinese algae eaters), it's pretty obvious to see which fish is which because of the lack of markings. Pictures just to make sure the poster has the right fish:

Golden algae eater: (chinese algae eater color variation)
samit_aquarium_54.jpg


Regular chinese algae eater:
algae-eater.jpg


Siamese algae eater - notice the different color markings
Crossocheilus+siamensis.jpg



IMO and past experience, otos do fine in small tanks. The reason it's recomended that they get larger tanks is because of water quality; the smaller the tank is, the harder to keep up with good water conditions and otos are very sensitive. But space-wise, again, they don't require a lot since they're not too active. And yes, they do better in groups but 2 otos in a 10gal with good water isn't impossible. :)
 
i wouldn't keep a shoal of otos or kuhlis in a 10 gallon. with the rest of your stock, there isn't room.
 
Tomorrow, I will be taking my water to the pet shop for testing. As for the ammonia, I say < (less than) .02 ppm because I'm not getting a reading, and that's the range the tester gives for a null reading.

As for the golden algae eater, it is in fact the Regular Chinese Algae Eater. I am a little perturbed because the informational sign on the tank at the pet store says they only get to 5.5 inches, and the person there suggested I get one when I inquired about getting something for algae control. (I was hoping for some industrious little shrimp)

The good news is that I do plan on getting another tank soon (I'm very interested in building a water bridge with attached "rooms"). Most likely a 30 Gallon, which (correct me if I'm wrong) should be sufficient to house a grown CAE (though the thought of it killing my other fish is making me leery).
 
Zebra Danios are very active fish and like space to swim. They should also be kept in schools of 5 or more. They can also get nippy towards your Betta, especially when kept in smaller numbers.
 
MackBlanch said:
Tomorrow, I will be taking my water to the pet shop for testing. As for the ammonia, I say < (less than) .02 ppm because I'm not getting a reading, and that's the range the tester gives for a null reading.

As for the golden algae eater, it is in fact the Regular Chinese Algae Eater. I am a little perturbed because the informational sign on the tank at the pet store says they only get to 5.5 inches, and the person there suggested I get one when I inquired about getting something for algae control. (I was hoping for some industrious little shrimp)

The good news is that I do plan on getting another tank soon (I'm very interested in building a water bridge with attached "rooms"). Most likely a 30 Gallon, which (correct me if I'm wrong) should be sufficient to house a grown CAE (though the thought of it killing my other fish is making me leery).
Click to expand...

very often pet stores list the wrong information, sometimes even names for fish. unfortunately, you just have to do more research to make sure you don't fall victim to mis-labeling. and also very often, the people working at pet stores don't always know everything about fish and since it had the name algae eater in it's name, the employee probably just assumed it was small and would work. =/

and i think that a cae would fit, pretty comfortably, in a 30 gallon if that's what you're going to get.
 
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