So I'm Going To Get Pygmy Cories....

[data276]

I have a spare 10 gallon aquarium and its currently being used as a grow out tank for my platy fry untill I move them to my other aquarium.

I want to make this into a species tank for pygmy cories and maybe a betta. but there are a few questions that I have

what type of substrate should I use sand? or pea gravel? which one is cheaper and is eaiser to get, and where should I buy it from?
their diet will be microworms,flake foods daphnia and pellets. anything else I could add or should add? any specific food that pygmy's need?
should I keep plants in this aquarium? and if yes which plants?
would 6 be ok for a ten gallon or can I get more or should I get less?
any specific needs they need to breed? other than clean water and a healthy diet.

and thats all.. I will be cycling this tank for a week or two with my mature media from my main tank and will be using an HOB or an internal filter not sure yet. should I over filter?

lat thing anything else I should need to know?

tanks in advance.

 

[OldMan47]

If you are going to breed in the tank, I would try to get a sponge filter cycled for them. It will protect the fry from the hazard of being sucked up by the filter and many sponge filters end up covered with a thin layer of micro-organisms that the fry can use for food for the first few days. The microworms or similar sized food are only really needed after the fry hatch but I find my pygmies are small enough to enjoy them as a treat for the adults. 6 is about minimum for a breeding setup with a preferrence for equal numbers or even more males. Unlike livebearers, the 2 females for each male is not needed and can be counter-productive. I prefer a thin layer of sand in the tank for the cories to rummage around in. If you put a betta in with the cories, they will not be able to produce fry with any success but might still breed.

 

[data276]

If you are going to breed in the tank, I would try to get a sponge filter cycled for them. It will protect the fry from the hazard of being sucked up by the filter and many sponge filters end up covered with a thin layer of micro-organisms that the fry can use for food for the first few days. The microworms or similar sized food are only really needed after the fry hatch but I find my pygmies are small enough to enjoy them as a treat for the adults. 6 is about minimum for a breeding setup with a preferrence for equal numbers or even more males. Unlike livebearers, the 2 females for each male is not needed and can be counter-productive. I prefer a thin layer of sand in the tank for the cories to rummage around in. If you put a betta in with the cories, they will not be able to produce fry with any success but might still breed.

not to worried about the betta I can always move him toa nother tank... I have micro worm cultures growing so that won't be a problem...at the moment I only have a power filter so I'll buy a sponge filter soon...any suggestions on which one to get?

I did check my LFS out today and they didn't have any pygmies yet...not going to order any yet once its been a month or so I'll ask if they havnt got any by then.

the sand Idea sounds good, could I go with playsand or anyother cheap sand like that?

 

[OldMan47]

I use sand from my local home improvement center. I take a hard look at the torn bags to see what the sand looks like. I look for rounded grains of sand that won't be abrasive to the fish and run a little through my fingers to see if there is a lot of dirt in it. Depending on the source, sand can be filthy and can be very sharp. If you roll some between your fingers, you can feel the sharpness of some sand. The source of the sand is not too important in terms of price because you won't need very much for a small tank. For a 10 gallon tank, I doubt it would take more than 5 pounds to give a nice thin layer of less than 1/2 inch deep so the price per pound won't be a major factor.
As far as sponge filters, I would look on e-bay and get one that is big enough for a 10 gallon. I can't imagine there is much difference between brands. How many variables can there be for a sponge with a lift tube poked down through the center?

 

[data276]

alright thanks, I'll look in to it in when I get some time.