I'm confused...

[Danny Boy]

Right...

I estimate my tank will be cycled in about a week, I'm now maintaining an ammonia level of 2ppm as I wait for nitrite to drop back.

I'm then planning on doing an 80% water change on the day before I get my fish to sort out the sky high nitrate levels.

Ok, so I think I'm sorted up to there...BUT I'm reading conflicting advice regarding the initial stocking.

Do I need to have all my first fish as the same type? Do I need to stock gradually?

I was planning on getting various different kinds of Tetras, and perhaps a Fighting Fish...bearing in mind what I have read about not overstocking my (small) tank.

 

[IMCL85]

I would not recommand tetra as to a newly cycled tank on the first place. Specially they need live planted to be happy and healthy. If I were u I would buy a few hardy fish swordtail/feeder all hardy to test out water first and also help to see if there is new tank symdrone. After you see that they were ok then you start to add other fish.

 

[SarahBravo]

You need to add sufficient fish to provide enough ammonia to keep the bacteria going, but not too many so that you overwhelm the bacteria and in effect start a new cycle.

How big is your tank and what sort of fish did you want in there? Some fish are recommended for a tank that has been set up a while, as you are more likely to have fluctuations/possible problems in a new tank.

With regard to a betta in with other fish, you need to make sure that a) none of the fish are nippy and will go for the betta's trailing fins and B) that none of the fish are colourful enough that the betta will see them as a threat to itself and kill them. You may want to rethink the betta idea as he will limit you (unless you were thinking of female bettas - they are not as troublesome as the males!). Many tetras are seen as nippy, as are some danios, so consider carefully what you put in there.

www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/ is a good place to find out information on fish and they have compatibility charts, so well worth a look!

 

[modernhamlet]

If you complete the fishless cycle on your 10g tank, you should be able to fully stock it immediately. That's one of the many great benefits of fishless cycling.

HOWEVER...

I was planning on getting various different kinds of Tetras, and perhaps a Fighting Fish

In a 10g, you're not going to be able to get more than one species of tetra, unless you do them in onesy-twosies which isn't really very natural.

Also, make sure whatever tetra/small schooling fish you choose won't nip at the betta, which can be a very tempting target for even normally peaceful fish.

If you have any other stocking questions, just let us know...

Hope the cycle finishes well for you.

 

[tttnjfttt]

If I were you, I would not put a betta into your 10 gal. Tetras are faster moving and can be nippy, which is a bad combo with bettas. If you do skip the betta, you can probably get away with two schools of 5 fish, because they are very thin fish who aren't big waste producers.

 

[Danny Boy]

Thanks everyone...

I had assumed the Tetras and Betta would be ok, every single Tetra tank at my LFS has one in it...

I'm particularly partial to the Bettas, is my tank too small for one, or is it that I simply need to rethink my choices to co-habit with one?

 

[tttnjfttt]

If you are really partial to bettas, a 10 gal tann can easily be divided to hold several betta. I have 4 in a divided 10 gal tank. Look into DIY tank dividers. I don't think combining bettas and tetras is a good combo.

 

[Danny Boy]

I'm not sure I like the idea of dividing the tank, it's my first afterall.

What would combine well with the betta?

And by the by tttn, you're always a great help.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I don't like re-inventing the wheel.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96682

 

[cheekeyarab]

Danny Boy Posted Yesterday, 11:01 PM
Thanks everyone...

I had assumed the Tetras and Betta would be ok, every single Tetra tank at my LFS has one in it...

It's easy to get confused when you see them at the lfs. One store near me always has male bettas in with about a hundred male guppies!!!! No wonder there's always dead fish in that tank.

 

[modernhamlet]

Thanks everyone...

I had assumed the Tetras and Betta would be ok, every single Tetra tank at my LFS has one in it...

I'm particularly partial to the Bettas, is my tank too small for one, or is it that I simply need to rethink my choices to co-habit with one?

[snapback]858435[/snapback]​

Nothing is guaranteed with bettas, as personality plays a large role in whom they'll get along with. However if you want a good rule of thumb...

"Usually good" 10g betta tankmates:
dwarf cory catfish
african dwarf frogs
otos
dwarf loaches

"Possible" 10g betta tankmates:
dwarf pencilfish
dwarf rasboras
small, thin tetras (risky for the betta)
snails
shrimp (risky for the shrimp)

And the best thing you can do to increase your chances of success: Plant your tank well.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I have 6 black neon tetras along with a male betta in my 10 gallon. The tetras are small (just under an inch) and my betta seems to be a pretty mellow guy. He never flares at the tetras and the tetras never chase him - they just hang out together.

Even when I feed them, they all get along well. But I have read that bettas have different personalities and some are much more aggressive than others. I think I may be lucky and have one of the good natured ones.

I have a lot or rocks and plants, too. Here's a pic: