cathrinetta

I saw a really adorable bristle nose pleco at a local pet smart that I want to buy. Currently I have a overstocked 10gallon, but I am looking at getting another 10 gallon despite my husband telling me no... He cant' say no, once we have it and I'm the one taking care of them.

Either way my question is what is the minimum tank size for the bristle nose and what tank mates can he have?

There is NO way I can get a third tank so I have to find a way to split up what I have so far to make everyone happier...

2 small-medium Ryukin
1 Beta
5 Neons
2 Fancy male guppy

All suggestions welcome. I don't have a heater or anything for the second ten gallon. I just plan on buying the tank and then slowly adding a filter and heater if needed. I really can't afford a second tank as I've spent over $200 on the first 10gallon already but I don't know what else to do. I really want this bristle nose, and I also have been reading about the dwarf gouramis

agabr123

your betta really needs his own tank, i think that would probably be the best thing for you to do at this point. you could just get him a 5 gallon kit from petsmart (only about $36 with a pet perks card which is free), and all you'd need to buy is a small heater (mini hydor for about $13) and some decorations/substrate. i'd hold of on the bristlenoses until you can get a least a 20 gallon tank, especially if you want something else in there with him

cathrinetta

The biggest complaint that I've heard from people is not the beta, that comes in second. The first is my to Ryukins because the are not tropical and are high bioload. I would like to hear other suggestions so I can consider several options.

Thanks! ^_^

Barbrella

Unfortunately, a 10 gallon tank is too small for any goldfish at all. You'll need at least 30 gallons for the two you have which are capable of growing very large.
10 gal tanks are really good if you only intend to keep small fish, or very few.

Goldfish are coldwater fish. Bettas need water 78 - 82 degrees, and they shouldn't be kept with neons and guppies.

You can't keep a bristlenose in a 10 gallon tank. They are far too messy. They should also not be kept with goldfish, not only because of the different temps of water needed, but also because some get a habit of sucking the slime off sleeping goldfish.

You can't keep gouramis with bettas either, since they are the same family and will fight.

If I may, my advice is to get one big tank (as big as possible) for the goldfish and then keep your neons with a dwarf gourami if you like in the 10 gal. The betta would be better in his own 5 gal tank.

cathrinetta

Does anyone else have suggestions as I can't afford 3 tanks right now.

Shawnie

buy the second 10 gal if thats all you can afford and put the goldies in it alone then you can turn up the heat in the first 10 gal

sirdarksol

My suggestion would be to find the goldfish a new home. Either take them to a reputable fish store, or find someone with space for them. Get the second 10g, and put the neons and guppies in there.

cathrinetta

The thing about the goldfish is they're the only ones I and especially my husband will not part with. The beta is questionable and the others I am willing to "return" but my husband insists that they're part of the family now despite the fact he doesn't want me to upgrade the tank.

I really feel stuck so to speak.

cathrinetta

I like Shawnies idea and was wondering if it would be possible to divide the heated tank so the beta had half and the neons had the other half. I would want to use some sort of mesh divider so water could still go between both sides of the tank. Is that a bad idea?

sirdarksol

It could work with extra water changes to both tanks, but in the long run, the goldfish especially should really get an upgraded tank (craigslist periodically has aquaria for ridiculously cheap), not just because they produce so much waste, but also because the lack of swimming space will stress them out.

Still, you work with what you have, and do the best that you can. It's all anyone can ask. If they were my tanks, and if I were stuck in your position, I would put the goldies in the second tank (again, check craigslist. You may even be able to find larger, fully equipped aquaria for cheaper than you could get a new 10g setup. If space is an issue, the 10g ones usually go for $10 with equipment around here). I would buy a divider, but I wouldn't install it unless I actually saw signs of belligerence toward the betta or the guppy. Water changes twice a week will help keep nitrate levels low.

Shawnie

the suggestion I gave was in repsonse to another thread you had about not giving up the fish because the hubby said no...by no means is there enough room as sds said for 2 goldies in the 10 gal, alot of extra maintenance will be required and eventually, the hubby is going to have to allow you a much larger tank or rehoming the goldies before they die..thats just how it has to be..craigslist is amazing as sds said and ill betcha you can probably find a 55 gal for less than the 200 you paid for a ten gallon..goodluck in whatever you choose tho

sirdarksol

I got my 30g for $50. It included a UGF, air pump, HOB filter, substrate ($2 extra for a bucket to carry the substrate in), lights, and a small box of extra stuff. I paid less than $200 (don't remember exact amount) for my 90g, which included a huge Penguin HOB, a heater, lights, a wood stand (that alone costs more than $200 in a store), and another box of random stuff. Craigslist is awesome!

cathrinetta

Thanks you guys. The 10 gallon setup was a Tetra starter kit and was on sale for 40 I think when my hubby bought it. Since then I have spent money on meds and water treatment I didn't probably need, the wrong size carbon filters which I tore open and dumped into my old one, plants, food, vaccum, water bucket, API test kits, heater, thermometer and finally FISH. You know how it goes. I don't know how I spent that much but I started adding up my receipts and I did...

I figure at this point I could probably spend $50 for a full setup on craigs list or go to Walmart and buy an empty tank and then try to piece mill everything together as I can afford it...

I did notice my beta nip at one of my neons that was sleeping in the corner this mornning. I think he was just annoyed because I put a new plastic plant in that he's in love with and the neon was sleeping by it. I don't know but I continue to watch as much as I can daily and am still doing the 50% water changes daily until I cycle all the way.

cathrinetta

I was on craigs list last night and got not replies back, but will be on looking again tonight... Is there a place on the forum to find out if other hobbiest are local to your area?

sirdarksol

There is a buy/sell/trade section. You can post a "want to buy..." thread.

Barbrella

Definitely keep looking on Craigslist. There are some great deals to be had. I know someone who got an equipped 75 gal for $50.

Your hubby may forbid you to buy more tanks, yet want to keep the goldfish, but do you know how big ryukins can get? (10") But long before they grow large, they will die in a small tank simply because they'll pollute it faster than you can clean it. THey need cool temps, large tanks and heavy filtration/oxygenation.

Your betta was probably nipping at your neon because neons have the same brilliant colours as bettas so will often be stalked and attacked. It's a case of mistaken identity, but neons don't take stress very well.

Amanda

I got my 55 gal. fully equipped for $30 on craigslist.


Some info on your goldies:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/goldfish/ryukin.php