New 10 Gallon Ideas. What do you think?

K

Kaitlyn

AC Members
Sep 20, 2017
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Okay guys,

I've asked for a lot of advice from y'all for a while now, and I think I've finally put together some good sets that could work for my tank. I kept an eye on pH and temperature, and double checked with aqadvisor just to see what it says my stocking level is like with these set ups. But I'm curious as to what you guys think of them; which one are you most fond of, which ones are you concerned about and why, maybe some sort of alternative, etc. I should also mention that I plan to get shrimp and snails along with any of these combinations! I didn't add them because I haven't decided what I wanted to get for those yet, lol.

Peacock Gudgeons (2)
Celestial Pearl Danios (6 or so? unsure on the count here)
Asian Stone Catfish (3-6)

OR

Endlers (3)
Sparkling Gouramis (2)
Pygmy Corys (5-6)

OR

Chili Rasboras (8-10)
Scarlet Badis (2)
Ember Tetras (6)

OR

Scarlet Badis (2)
Celestial Pearl Danios (6 or so)
Endlers (3)

Thoughts?

Tank Stats:
  • 10 gallon tank
  • aquaclear 20 and a top fin power 10
  • soft sand substrate
  • moss ball
  • fake plants
  • fake rocks for hiding in, as well as a fake hollowed out log for hiding in.
  • Heater (currently set to 79) This can be changed! I don't care if I need to lower the temp or remove the heater all together- this is just what I happen to have my heater set to.

I also want to mention that my pH tends to rest at 7.8, was curious on how to lower it (preferably naturally, but if its not possible, recommend a product perhaps), since some of these sets I've made require a lower pH.
 
I think any of the mixes sound good,whatever you prefer really.

As far as lowering the pH, I wouldn't really worry about it. All the fish you have suggested will be fine with your current pH. It can be more trouble than its worth to lower it, but some mopani would, peat moss, or almond leaf litter will lower the pH a bit.
 
I always try to stock 10g lightly cause things can go wrong so quickly in a such a small tank. Plus with such a small tank 3 groups of fish can look very hectic IMO. I would stick with one pair (I assume that applies to the 2's listed) and one group of small fish plus inverts. Considering your higher pH I'd suggest 2 peacock gudgeons and a group of endlers OR CPDs plus shrimp and snails. You'd have to go with the larger caridina shrimp as neocaridina (typical cherries) would be eaten by the gudgeons (all age shrimp) and the gouramis (maybe not adults) and the badis (mostly only young shrimp). Any fish you listed will most likely eat baby shrimp though, if it fits in their mouth.... but some should survive with enough plant cover. On the plus side baby shrimp are a good live food!

I assume you will move to more live plants at some point? Most of the species you listed really do best with live plants. Certainly not required but very helpful in a number of ways.
 
myswtsins said:
I always try to stock 10g lightly cause things can go wrong so quickly in a such a small tank. Plus with such a small tank 3 groups of fish can look very hectic IMO. I would stick with one pair (I assume that applies to the 2's listed) and one group of small fish plus inverts. Considering your higher pH I'd suggest 2 peacock gudgeons and a group of endlers OR CPDs plus shrimp and snails. You'd have to go with the larger caridina shrimp as neocaridina (typical cherries) would be eaten by the gudgeons (all age shrimp) and the gouramis (maybe not adults) and the badis (mostly only young shrimp). Any fish you listed will most likely eat baby shrimp though, if it fits in their mouth.... but some should survive with enough plant cover. On the plus side baby shrimp are a good live food!

I assume you will move to more live plants at some point? Most of the species you listed really do best with live plants. Certainly not required but very helpful in a number of ways.
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2 gudgeons, group of endlers, and shrimp and snails. Got it! I'll take that into serious consideration- I really, really like that idea.

Not so worried about them eating shrimp. I mean, I want the shrimp to at least be able to produce offspring, but after there's a good colony going I wouldn't mine seeing some go missing, lol. Will probably end up getting shrimp first so they can get started before adding any fish

Yes I will be getting live plants! It's a slow, slow process for me lol. I just am not sure what types of plants to get. I know I need low light plants, as i just have a janky "LED" light that came attached to the hood, in the kit I bought. Not sure how well plants would do with it. I've heard anubias is a good start. Any suggestions for floating plants? Or others that I can plant in my sand? I don't have anything to tie roots to, but perhaps I could get something so I could do that? Not sure what exactly, though.
 
Sounds like a good plan but shrimp need a really mature and stable tank, not the best choice for 1st stocking. But, run the tank with plants and snails (what kind of snails do you want?) for...6 months, get the hang of plants while still having some critters in the tank and then add the shrimp, let them reproduce for another 6 months or less (depending how rapidly they breed) and then add the endlers then gudgeons. (adding the smallest and least aggressive 1st and biggest, most aggressive last is always a good way to stock FYI)

Lighting is key to plant keeping but you don't usually need as much as you'd think. Anubias, java fern and java moss are staples of the lowest light/nutrients required plants. There are many varieties of anubias and java fern to choose from too, you could easily just use these 3 plants to fill a whole 10g and still have lots of different plants. But since they are low nutrient absorbers I like to pair them with something fast growing too. Like floating plants...giant duckweed even though it goes nuts and is hard to remove it is a great workhorse (avoid regular duckweed if possible cause it really is a PITA). Hornwort would probably love your water and it can be floated or anchored down (I used to just wrap it around a fork and tuck the fork behind some wood). Water wisteria or anacharis, floated or planted works. These plants are all super cheap too (besides anubias and certain java ferns, slow growers) because they grow so readily so it's not a big deal to just try them out and see what works.
 
myswtsins said:
Sounds like a good plan but shrimp need a really mature and stable tank, not the best choice for 1st stocking. But, run the tank with plants and snails (what kind of snails do you want?) for...6 months, get the hang of plants while still having some critters in the tank and then add the shrimp, let them reproduce for another 6 months or less (depending how rapidly they breed) and then add the endlers then gudgeons. (adding the smallest and least aggressive 1st and biggest, most aggressive last is always a good way to stock FYI)

Lighting is key to plant keeping but you don't usually need as much as you'd think. Anubias, java fern and java moss are staples of the lowest light/nutrients required plants. There are many varieties of anubias and java fern to choose from too, you could easily just use these 3 plants to fill a whole 10g and still have lots of different plants. But since they are low nutrient absorbers I like to pair them with something fast growing too. Like floating plants...giant duckweed even though it goes nuts and is hard to remove it is a great workhorse (avoid regular duckweed if possible cause it really is a PITA). Hornwort would probably love your water and it can be floated or anchored down (I used to just wrap it around a fork and tuck the fork behind some wood). Water wisteria or anacharis, floated or planted works. These plants are all super cheap too (besides anubias and certain java ferns, slow growers) because they grow so readily so it's not a big deal to just try them out and see what works.
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Got it, thank you!

So I'm not sure if you've read any of my other posts, but I've been having issue with ammonia and nitrite spikes. It's finally settled down to 0/0/5, thank god. How long should I wait to add any fish after it's finished cycled/stabilized? Maybe a week or two to make sure it maintains the same stats?
 
what are you planning on putting in there? I would add maybe 2-3 if you plan on doing a small school and check the water for the next few days to make sure the ammonia and nitrites are turning into nitrates...be sure to have Prime on hand to neutralize it incase any shows up. But from the looks of it i think your well on your way to a cycled tank...WTG!!
 
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