Is it possible to humanely place two dwarf gourami in a 10 gallon planted tank?

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nellafantasia

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Apr 6, 2019
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It's mostly around 6+ weeks to fish-less cycle. I know it's hard to wait, but it will be worth it. Hang tough!
Oh gosh that is a long time! I have a hard time believing most people do that. I may as well just set the 20g up right away and forget the 10g. 20+ years ago I started up with only one platy. It survived (I think) and it took about 6 days. But I don't want to have to look at bloody little gills.:( But that will be nearly 2 months. I have to think about this.
 

fishorama

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Oh gosh that is a long time! I have a hard time believing most people do that. I may as well just set the 20g up right away and forget the 10g. 20+ years ago I started up with only one platy. It survived (I think) and it took about 6 days. But I don't want to have to look at bloody little gills.:( But that will be nearly 2 months. I have to think about this.
Yep, it does take a while, No, most people don't wait that long & their fish die...& they wonder why...You've been informed, It's up to you...Harsh but true...
 

tanker

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Are you adding ammonia for the cycle?
 

nellafantasia

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Yep, it does take a while, No, most people don't wait that long & their fish die...& they wonder why...You've been informed, It's up to you...Harsh but true...
I just got done reading the comments by TwoTankAmin about behavioral symptoms of ammonia poisoning. Boy you people really know your stuff. I am impressed. I am glad this website is here. So glad I stumbled upon it.

I can't do it. I just can't do it. I can't bear to cause such suffering. I guess I will go for it over the long haul.
 

the loach

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You can buy nitrifying bacteria to speed up the cycling. Just make sure they are in a bottle...
 

nellafantasia

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You can buy nitrifying bacteria to speed up the cycling. Just make sure they are in a bottle...
I already did that. That was the first thing I tended to. But thank you anyway. Once Easter music is behind me I will switch over to setting up the 20 gallon.
 

nellafantasia

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You can buy nitrifying bacteria to speed up the cycling. Just make sure they are in a bottle...
Please tell me what you think of the API Fresh Water Test Kit. I have used it to read the pH of my 10 gallon in an ammonia spike. I am disappointed in that this kit does not seem very precise at all. I thought it would provide readings easier to identify. I first used the "high pH" drops which were not distinguishable enough to take a reading. It was a non-descript color not near any of the chart colors. Then I have used the regular pH drops. All it shows is that the pH is 7.6 or above. That is not much help at all. I actually think the dipsticks are more informative. Geesh! What a disappointment.
 

nellafantasia

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A 10g is too way too small for 2 males & probably a M & F pair too. Males want to build a bubble nest, entice a female to breed & drive her away. There isn't enough room for her to get out of his territory in a 10g.

If your heart is set a DG, you might keep a group of dwarf corydoras OR small tetras OR small rasboras with 1 DG.

Can you go with a 20g instead of a 10? That may give you a few more options, but not many. Still, just 1 DG...
I have changed my mind again about getting a 20g and not just the 10g. I have learned that the little beasty I have fallen in love with (dwarf gourami) is one pugnacious little fellow. Many knowledgeable on youtube say that sometimes even a 40 gallon tank is not big enough for two males DG to not fight each other. So I will take the 20g back to the store. I will stick with the 10g. My plan is what you suggested in the first place. I will get one male DG to admire and a handful of cardinal tetras or neons. That way I will be able to manage keeping water hardness tolerable to the fish by supplementing my well water with the bottled water. I will get java fern and water sprite to keep him happy. So there.
 

fishorama

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So where is "so there"? I'm not sure why you're both agreeing with me & dis'ing me at the same time... I'm old & don't understand what you mean...Explain please....
 
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