I've just set up a 10 gallon and presently have 10 neon tetras. I plan on introducing an angel and two gouramis. I would appreciate any suggestions from those of you have much exp. with either of these. Also, I am debating if I want to aquire an alge eater and a catfish. Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!
neons and gouramis
- Thread starter mdp
- Start date
I wouldn't get an angel. They will outgrow a 10g, and grow very fast. I bought one in august at about nickel size, he's almost full grown now.
I would also only get one gourami. One of the dwarf species, not the larger ones like pearl and gold gourami. You could also substitute the gourami for a male betta if you wanted.
You could probably have 3 cories or 3 otos also.
However, this would be a heavily stocked tank and probably not forgiving of a missed water change.
Larger waterchanges would also be a good thing, like 40% instead of 20% weekly.
*edit: I noticed that you said you just set up the tank. I would wait on getting anymore fish until the tank has completely cycled. I don't know all the details of cycling, so if you want more information, a quick search of the forums will probably turn up loads of info.
What I do no is that you will need to buy an Ammonia (NH3 ) Test kit and a Nitrite (NO2 ) test kit. A Nitrate (NO3 ) test kit wouldn't be a bad idea either. Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and can cause death or severe damage to the fish.
You will need to monitor ammonia and nitrite regularly. Keep the ammonia under .5 ppm by doing waterchanges (which may mean everyday), and the nitrite under 1ppm.
When you do get readings of nitrite, add 1 tablespoon of aquarium/rock/ or non-iodized table salt. This will help lower the effects of nitrite
At the end of the cycle, both ammonia and nitrite will read zero. At this point to should follow waterchanges as mentioned before the edit.
If you can find a product by MarineLane called Bio-Spira I would get it and follow the directs on the bottle. This will reduce cycling time and help out your fish. Don't get any other products as, from what I have heard, only Bio-Spira actually works.
Good luck, HTH
I would also only get one gourami. One of the dwarf species, not the larger ones like pearl and gold gourami. You could also substitute the gourami for a male betta if you wanted.
You could probably have 3 cories or 3 otos also.
However, this would be a heavily stocked tank and probably not forgiving of a missed water change.
Larger waterchanges would also be a good thing, like 40% instead of 20% weekly.
*edit: I noticed that you said you just set up the tank. I would wait on getting anymore fish until the tank has completely cycled. I don't know all the details of cycling, so if you want more information, a quick search of the forums will probably turn up loads of info.
What I do no is that you will need to buy an Ammonia (NH3 ) Test kit and a Nitrite (NO2 ) test kit. A Nitrate (NO3 ) test kit wouldn't be a bad idea either. Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish and can cause death or severe damage to the fish.
You will need to monitor ammonia and nitrite regularly. Keep the ammonia under .5 ppm by doing waterchanges (which may mean everyday), and the nitrite under 1ppm.
When you do get readings of nitrite, add 1 tablespoon of aquarium/rock/ or non-iodized table salt. This will help lower the effects of nitrite
At the end of the cycle, both ammonia and nitrite will read zero. At this point to should follow waterchanges as mentioned before the edit.
If you can find a product by MarineLane called Bio-Spira I would get it and follow the directs on the bottle. This will reduce cycling time and help out your fish. Don't get any other products as, from what I have heard, only Bio-Spira actually works.
Good luck, HTH
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I didn't think you were suppose to ever replace more than 25% of the water... 40% sounds like way too much.
40-50 is fine, depending on the tank - especially with some planted tanks/heavily stocked tanks
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