nippy

Background: My wife, kids, & I are new to the aquarium hobby. We bought a 10gal tank about 7 weeks ago. The tank has cycled. We cycled the tank with 1 zebra danio, 1 longfin zebra danio, & 1 gold danio in it. (I realize now this wasn't the proper way to start the tank, but if your curious the fish are healthy) Last weekend we added 2 otocinclus catfish to help with the algae growth. Based on what the LFS told us, we plan to do water changes every 2 weeks.

Question: Are we done stocking it, or can we add anymore fish? From what I'm reading with the 1"/gal rule, we are done since we have 5 fish with max size of 2", but I've read of other people having more than that. If that is all we can safely put in there I'm O.K. with that, but just curious. If we added anything else, it would probably be a Cory Cat, neon tetra, or more danios.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Lucy

Hi Glad to hear your fish made it through the cycle.
You can probably add another danio or two in another week or two.
According to the 1" rule (actually just a guide line with many flaws) you'd be a little overstocked. Just keep a close eye on your water parameters and do frequent water changes.

We'd love to see some pics, so post some soon!

nippy

Thanks for the reply Lucy. I'll attach some pics as soon as I figure out what size limits etc this site allows.

I'll watch the water parameters for a few weeks or more before adding anything since we just added the otos.

Out of curiosity, is there any reason you recommended a danio or two over a couple tetra or a cory?

Thanks again.

MissMTS

Hi Nippy

Congrats on the new tank. I would add another danio or two because they are schooling fish and really should be in groups of 4-6. Tetras and cories are also schooling fish, so they would not be happy as a single specimen.

I would recommend doing water changes once weekly. It is a lot easier to keep your water parameters in line when you are changing out water more regularly.

Good luck

nippy

Thanks for the info MissMTS. That was very helpful.

I'm going to try to attach a few pics, hopefully this works. We started with just subtrate & fish. After our 1st water change we added the lighthouse & boat. After the next we added a few plants & the otos. I think we're done with decorations for now.

Attached Images

	fish_tank1.jpg (314.9 KB, 61 views)
	fish_tank2.jpg (354.9 KB, 60 views)
	fish_tank3.jpg (340.4 KB, 58 views)

Tony G.

Hi nippy
you have a very nice tank

aquarist48

Your tank looks "great" Nippy! I think you have room to add a few more small fish over an extended period.
Ken

bolivianbaby

I love your tank! That lighthouse is so cute.

TedsTank

If the kids are enjoying add it a couple more small fish if you want, and leave it be. You and your wife will get hooked in this hobby...so start planning for 55 gallon tank and enjoy!!!! ....

peacemaker92

Beautiful tank! So simple and just great! haha I love it! Great job!

AlyeskaGirl

It looks great! I agree....you will be planning for a bigger tank in the near future! hehehe

Kitsune

That looks awesome! And just wait for the next tank... Finishing up my 10 gallon and already starting a 5 gallon and eyeing a 50 gallon for a South American Puffer species tank. Trust me it is truely addictive.

coffeebean

looks great! i agree with adding a couple more danios

nippy

Thanks to all for the advice and compliments.

Since my last post, we had the longfin zebra danio "nippy" get sick & die. I don't know if it was due to the tank cycle or being chased off by the other fish. Maybe I put the jinks on it by using it as my screen name It just quit eating & started getting weak, and layed on the bottom. Maybe it was just old? Everything else looked fine with it, no spots, etc. & the other fish seem fine.

We added 2 more danios tonight, & a small bridge. The person at the lfs didn't have a clue what fish were what (new employee). I was actually explaining it to them. I think we got a longfin leapord & a plain pearl danio.

We are definitely done now, assuming we don't have any surprises.

4 danios & 2 ottos

Thanks again for all the replies. This place is great for a newbie.