Fish for 10G tank

[Sensei_the_dojo]

I think you'd probably be ok with that setup. It is possible as Hound suggested that the rasbora's might stress the gourami (or a betta) in a 10 gal, especially when the rasbora's reach full size.

My suggestion. Start with the rasboras and a small clean up crew and see how you like it. You can decide later on if you think a "lazy" fish will be necessary. Raboras are active, but they aren't danios. What I mean is, they're active enough to be interesting, but not so active as to be "hectic". They can actually be relaxing to watch.

 

[tomm10]

Originally posted by Sensei_the_dojo
We covered that already Tom.

Doh! :duh: I skipped over that post.

Originally posted by gersheff
won't the amano shrimp take care of the algae.

so if i understand this right:

i can get away with 5-6 rasboras if i have a good filter (is a fluval 1 good enough)

1 dwarf gourami OR a beta

3 corrys + amano shrimp OR 3 ottos

I don't think the Fluval 1 is strong enough. Is that what you have hanging around? An Aquaclear 100 will cost you about $13 at Petsmart and should do fine. Others may have a different opinion but I would say you want to turn the water over in the the tank about 10 times and hour if you are trying to push stock limits at all. You can get away with a little less if you're well planted. That means you're looking for a flow rate of 100gph. (the model numbers of filters frequently represent their flowrate, hence the Aquaclear 100).

Don't think of the amanos as an either or. they can be added regardless of your other bottom feeders as they don't affect the bioload too much. You just may not need their services.

Cories or ottos is correct though.

Tom

 

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Thanks Tom. I didn't comment on the filter because I'm unfamiliar with that make & model. I'm actually running an Emperor 400 on a 10 gal (but not at full speed). It's a bit overkill, but when I upgrade to a 75/80 my bio-wheels and filter pads will already have plenty of bacteria to get me started.

 

[Hound]

LOL, that Emporer 400 is pretty much the width of a 10g tank. I would go with a HOB filter myself for a 10g. The AC 100 would probably be a good choice or maybe even a Penguin mini or 125 would work also.

 

[tomm10]

FWIW, I have a Penguin 125 running on my 10 and I love it. It keeps my water super clean and I like having the biowheel. Means I can change filter catridges without worrying about bacteria kill off.

I have a Fluval 1 Plus on my 8g hex. For the hex it works because I can't have a HOB. I like that its quite and it seems to keep the water clean but it doesn't allow for a carbon cartridge. not a big deal until you need to use carbon then you have to jury rig a knee high filled with carbon into the filter. The Fluval 2 Plus allows for carbon so if you must go with an internal I would get the 2 Plus. There are other internal brands but I have no experince with them.

The real downside to any internal is that about every week or two you'll need to shut the filter off, reach into the tank, remove the whole filter, open it up, rinse out or change the filter cartridge, then place it back in the right spot, and plug it back in. Not exactly a horrific ordeal but way more of a pain than just popping the cartridge out of a running HOB filter, swishing it around in the water bucket and popping it back in.

 

[gersheff]

next question.....

for the fish listed above, do i need a lot of plants or rocks or what?

 

[Sensei_the_dojo]

I'd go with plants. Enough to give the fish a sense of security, but leave some open space also. If you decide to go with the betta, it's especially important to go with live (or at the very least silk) plants. Plastic will tear their fins.

 

[tomm10]

Originally posted by gersheff
next question.....

for the fish listed above, do i need a lot of plants or rocks or what?

None of those fish have any real special requirements in the way of aquascaping that I know of. In general its a good idea to provide a couple of hiding spots like caves or broken clay pots. those and plants will make the fish feel a little more secure since they'll know they have a place to run to if they feel threatened.

Tom

 

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Of course, if the rasboras feel threatened they'll probably just tend to school a bit closer. Mine tend to drift apart a lot. But if they notice I'm taking a close look at them, or when I stick they old gravel vac in the tank, they form ranks.

 

[Anne L.]

Sensei, that's what my harlequins do too. They're pretty used to me looking at them, but if anyone else comes close to the tank, they go and hide together by the heater or filter. Sometimes they get in a stacked up row, one fish above the other; it looks really neat.

See my sig to find out what I have in my 10 gallon, and it works pretty well for me. I used to have a 3rd cory, but he died, and the 2 I have left are such good buddies that I don't want to add another. Everyone's healthy, and I don't have a q-tank, so I am a little afraid of introducing another cory to the tank right now.

The glowlight tetras are also a nice colorful fish to have and are fun to watch when you feed them. Greedy little pigs they are.

You have to watch out for the cories when you vac the gravel, as they are curious little buggers and will not move away very quickly. I almost sucked one up the other day.