Looking Into Setting Up My Tank Again

[scoobydoo20]

I have been thinking of setting up my tank. I have a 10 gal tank that I have had for a few years now. I was looking at fish species that seem compatible with living in a small tank. I have fell in love with the fancy guppies. And I have a few questions also.

1)I was thinking of getting maybe 6 guppies, with a couple of shrimp (depending if the store has them in stock)maybe a snail or a algae eater. If it's overcrowded I would like a similar combination.

2) In the research that I have done (so far) I have read that sand is better than gravel. So what is your opinion?

3) Water Testing: How often should the water be tested even when the fish are added? What water test should I get?

4) Cleaning the tank: the tank should never be fully cleaned correct? Only change partial water 10-20% (If I'm wrong please correct me)

5) Are live plants easy to keep? I have always used the fake ones.

6) Do guppies need the tank salt? I want to make sure since I had come across some fish sites that say that do or don't need salt.

I think that is all the questions that I have for now. I'm planning on getting the fish during the warmer weather. And I want to do as much research as I can, and give the tank sometime to cycle. As I'm thinking doing the fishless cycle. If this is the wrong place, I understand since I'm very new to the forums. Thanks

 

[karin]

I have been thinking of setting up my tank. I have a 10 gal tank that I have had for a few years now. I was looking at fish species that seem compatible with living in a small tank. I have fell in love with the fancy guppies. And I have a few questions also.

1)I was thinking of getting maybe 6 guppies, with a couple of shrimp (depending if the store has them in stock)maybe a snail or a algae eater. If it's overcrowded I would like a similar combination.

So nice to read about a reasonable stocking list in a 10 gallon. THANK YOU FOR RESEARCHING AND THINKING WISELY. You have made my day. Snails are great. Look at the nerite snail, they are beautiful (and don't reproduce in freshwater) and great on algae but before you get them, make certain you have algae, so introduce them a little later. You will love shrimp. Some cool decor and you will have a lovely tank.


2) In the research that I have done (so far) I have read that sand is better than gravel. So what is your opinion?

I think you could do either. When I had shrimp they scavenged old food and did a good job and seemed to like sand and rock. The one thing about sand in a 10 gallon is that if you get a decent filter it can kick up the sand. When I had a 10 gallon the filter kicked up enough sand to ruin an impeller. I would do small gravel.

3) Water Testing: How often should the water be tested even when the fish are added? What water test should I get?

After cycling the tank and when you add fish test every 12 hours to make certain that your system is processing all the waste. Shrimp are very sensitive to nitrite and ammonia and won't last long if your tank is not cycled. After a week you will get a good idea of the health of your biological filter and can adjust your testing accordingly. People here generally recommend a liquid based kit and most seem to recommend the API master test kit. At a minimum you want to be able to test for ammonia, nitrite, and Ph.

4) Cleaning the tank: the tank should never be fully cleaned correct? Only change partial water 10-20% (If I'm wrong please correct me)

Right a good maintenance is 10-20% water change weekly along with a gentle gravel vacuum. Clean the sides gently with a sponge if they get gunky. Once a month, swish the filter sponges and ceramic noodles or balls in old tank water to release gunk. That is about it.

5) Are live plants easy to keep? I have always used the fake ones.

Some are very easy, some are very hard. Look at anubias and I know there are other easy plants but don't know the names. Check in the PLANTED TANK portion of this forum. I think they have a pinned article on easy plants.

6) Do guppies need the tank salt? I want to make sure since I had come across some fish sites that say that do or don't need salt.

I'll defer to guppy experts on this but I doubt.

I think that is all the questions that I have for now. I'm planning on getting the fish during the warmer weather. And I want to do as much research as I can, and give the tank sometime to cycle. As I'm thinking doing the fishless cycle. If this is the wrong place, I understand since I'm very new to the forums. Thanks

GOOD LUCK AND COME BACK WITH MORE QUESTIONS.

 

[KittyKat]

1)I was thinking of getting maybe 6 guppies, with a couple of shrimp (depending if the store has them in stock)maybe a snail or a algae eater. If it's overcrowded I would like a similar combination.

So nice to read about a reasonable stocking list in a 10 gallon. THANK YOU FOR RESEARCHING AND THINKING WISELY. You have made my day. Snails are great. Look at the nerite snail, they are beautiful (and don't reproduce in freshwater) and great on algae but before you get them, make certain you have algae, so introduce them a little later. You will love shrimp. Some cool decor and you will have a lovely tank.

+1

Go for males only unless you want a population explosion, buy from a reputable shop (or even better, from a breeder), be prepared for fin-rot (although unlikely with the stocking you propose) and do be aware that they will sometimes drop dead without a reason.

2) In the research that I have done (so far) I have read that sand is better than gravel. So what is your opinion?

Personal preference. I prefer playsand or black, fine gravel (by Dennerle).

3) Water Testing: How often should the water be tested even when the fish are added? What water test should I get?

Every day during a cycle (fish-less highly recommended), gradually dropping to once per week some time after fish are added. Eventually, you will probably only test when there is a problem.

You should use liquid kits to test at least for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH, preferably also for hardness. API Freshwater Master Test Kit is highly recommended on here.

4) Cleaning the tank: the tank should never be fully cleaned correct? Only change partial water 10-20% (If I'm wrong please correct me)

I change 10-20% once per week, using dechlorinator for the new water and squeeze filter sponges in the old tank water. Never clean filter media under tap water and never replace any except in very special circumstances.

5) Are live plants easy to keep? I have always used the fake ones.

Depends on the plants. Java moss, Java fern and Anubias species are almost impossible to kill. Also easy Hygrophilas, Cabomba, Vallis and water sprite are worth trying, but can be a bit hit and miss for beginners.

At any rate, I strongly recommend live plants over fake.

6) Do guppies need the tank salt? I want to make sure since I had come across some fish sites that say that do or don't need salt.

No, they are freshwater fish. It usually does help because livebearers generally prefer harder water, but there are better ways to influence this. Salt should only be used for treatments.

 

[scoobydoo20]

Thank you so much! Sometime this week I'll go to my local pet store to see what supplies they have in stock. I'll also be looking into what I need to repurchase. I live in a small town and they only have one pet store so sometimes they don't carry a specific item that I need I always go there to look at the fish, and so far throughout the years of visiting, I have not seen a single dead fish (except in the piranha tank). I will check out the thread on the plants. Oh I have a couple questions about plants

When keeping plants, is there any equipment that I need to get or look into?
When adding live plants, should they be added before I introduce fish to the tank?

Thanks

 

[KittyKat]

Thank you so much! Sometime this week I'll go to my local pet store to see what supplies they have in stock. I'll also be looking into what I need to repurchase. I live in a small town and they only have one pet store so sometimes they don't carry a specific item that I need I always go there to look at the fish, and so far throughout the years of visiting, I have not seen a single dead fish (except in the piranha tank). I will check out the thread on the plants. Oh I have a couple questions about plants

Sounds like they're worth keeping open.. maybe they can order in exactly what you want? Otherwise, many of us have turned to the internet..

When keeping plants, is there any equipment that I need to get or look into?

No, I don't use anything special. Just make sure you have a light which gives around 1 watt per US gallon of water (exactly at 1 wpg or just over is best). I prefer to use colour 865 bulbs by Philips or Osram as aquarium bulbs are a rip off (if you don't have any yet). If you have under 1 wpg, then Java moss, Java fern and Anubias would still do great.

When adding live plants, should they be added before I introduce fish to the tank?

On the day you get fish is best. You should be cycling without lights or ammonia + light = algae (fun!).

 

[scoobydoo20]

They do have a catalog, I had wanted to order a hood light for the 29 gal that I had. But I couldn't get the leak to stop. I would silicone the leak, and then it would leak somewhere else. So I just used it as a hamster cage. I just order from the internet since I order ferret supplies.

The tank that I'm going to use has a hood light but, I don't remember the wattage for the lights. I'll have to check them when I get home.

I'm probably going to need to replace the filter I have it's a Whisper. What would be a good brand of filter?

Are airstones required for guppies? I think I have an air pump somewhere.

 

[KittyKat]

I'm probably going to need to replace the filter I have it's a Whisper. What would be a good brand of filter?

A Whisper should be fine for a tank that size. Otherwise, look at Fluval internal filter or Elite (by Hagen).. I haven't had much recent experience with filters for small tanks, sorry

Are airstones required for guppies? I think I have an air pump somewhere.

No, as long as the filter flow creates plenty of surface movement. Most people don't use airstones except in special set-ups such as hospital tanks or breeding tank.. but they are good to have for an emergency.

 

[scoobydoo20]

Awesome, I had went to the pet store today just to look around, I'm thinking on getting an internal filter and they sell the Fluval. I saw that they have the ghost shrimp in stock, and they have the assorted guppies. But not the fancies I want. Which is fine since it'll be a long while anyway I saw that they have the Anubias plants. So i should be good when I get ready to add the fish. They only thing I didn't see are the testing kit since I was just browsing but I'll make sure to look for them when I go back.

i had went home, and I had discovered a bunch of fish tank equipment that my mom's co worker had given to me. So I had discovered another 10 gal? tank. So tomorrow I'll be going through all of the supplies. I think I'll ditch the filters and get a new one that I had found at the pet store. I think I may have all the equipment that I need. Except the test kit and and water conditioners that will be needed to be purchased.

 

[KittyKat]

Nice! 10 gallons are nice starter tanks Looking forward to hearing more..

 

[nehpets81]

They only thing I didn't see are the testing kit since I was just browsing but I'll make sure to look for them when I go back.

I don't know if this is a common occurence or not but I found it really hard to get my hands on the testing kits. Two of my LFS had sold out so I ended up getting it from ebay (cheaper anyway...)

 

[scoobydoo20]

When I go there again either today or within the next couple of weeks I'll see what they have in stock for testing kits and compare the prices online. I usually do that anyway. I really didn't have the time yesterday since I had to go to work. So I just browsed. Once I get my hands on everything I need including the kit I'll be starting the cycle.

I was looking at the testing kits on Petco's website, I'm wondering is this the kit that everyone recommends?

http/www.petco.com/product/103685/Aquarium-Pharmaceuticals-Freshwater-Master-Test-Kit.aspx?CoreCat=certonaProductList_Fish_4Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit-103685