Tiff14RN

I need some advice. I have a 10 gallon tank with 5 tiger barbs and 2 male cherry barbs. Although my cherry barbs are doing great, they look a little lonely. Is a 10 gallon tank to small to add any more cherry barbs? Is my tank already over crowded?

atmmachine816

The tiger barbs could really use a larger tank. They easily get 2.5" and get really round and large. The cherry barbs really could use a larger tank too, they get 1.5-2". I really would get a larger tank if you want to keep the fish or return the fish and get smaller one's. Both types of fish need 6 since they are schooling fish and need a larger tank to swim in.

Tiff14RN

Would I be able to upgrade to a 20-25G tank and add some more cherry barbs, or is that still too crowded? This is my first tank, and it's only a month old but I really like it. I got my fish at wallmart and the people there told me they'd be fine. After doing some of my own research I've come to find out that those people told me the wrong information. I had some issues at first with nitrite levels, lost 2 fish, but now things seem okay. I'm afraid to switch their tank so soon because I feel like they aren't even used to this one yet. Do you think I should wait before up grading? Can you recommend some things to put into the tank (plants etc)? I live in the middle of nowhere and the only pet supply store is Wallmart.
Tiff

atmmachine816

Yes I would suggest a nice 20 gallon long tank or if you can afford it a 30 gallon would be best. You could have 6 of each fish easily in the 30, in the 20 you would need to make sure you have good filtration and as long as you keep up on your water changes they should be fine. Can you get a 30 gallon tank?

Tiff14RN

I may possibly be able to get a 30 gallon. I'm not sure if it will fit on my tank stand though, I'll have to take some measurements. Oddly enough they sell a 29G Bio-Wheel tank, but it's tall not long. I'll have to seach around and see if I can find a long tank. Right now my tiger barbs are barely and inch each so I have a bit of time to find a better tank. Do you recommend I do this right now? Will it be bad to have 2 differnt fish groups in the same tank? I don't want them to start a gang war or anything.

vin

I would go with the 30g or a 45g if you can...That would give the tigers who could get as large as 3" plenty of room. Ideally you'd want to have 5 or 6 of them in a tank that size.

COBettaCouple

i think you could have both in a good size tank like that.. plants, rocks, etc for hiding spots and you'll end up with a beautiful, peaceful tank.

Tiff14RN

Well, I guess I'm going to go to the store later to look for a bigger tank. When switching tanks do I use the water from the old tank? I'd hate to lose fish because I had to start my nitrogen cycle all over. Is there a trick to upgrading?

COBettaCouple

your good bacteria is mostly in the substrata and filter sponge. If you transfer those over, it will help in the new tank getting cycled. you could even run the old tank's filter in the new tank for a couple weeks to help out the new tank (and run the new filter too).

Tiff14RN

Ok, I assume I keep the old water too....right? If I get the 20G I will limit it to 6 cherry barbs and 6 tiger barbs. If I go biger like a 30G can you recommend a other colorful pretty fish that I could add with out over crowding, and with out being to docile for my barbs.

Kevin

my wal mart sells 29 and 55 gal starter kits, that would be good for you, you could put both filters in the new tank, and put some of the decorations in there too. you might want to keep the 10 gal. tank up and running and use that as a quarantine tank...since the fish at walmart tend to be diseased
if you get a bigger tank, i would recommend some corydoras catfish or oto cats
let us know if you have any other questions

Tiff14RN

Hmm, okay I guess I can do that. How long should I let the new tank cycle for before my fish go in? If my old filter goes into the new tank then how does the old tank get filterd while my fish are waiting to got to the new tank? Oh I checked out the cat fish. Otocinclus----definetely not cute! The Corydoras is okay though.

Tazmiche

I have Cherry barbs and they really do grow bigger than you'd think. I back up what FLBCouple said, plenty of plants, hollow logs, bridges etc as they zoom in and out at warp speeds for a good part of the day and then chill in a hide hole.
They are stunning looking fish when the age i think. Checkered barbs are great too!

atmmachine816

Fill up your new tank with new water, put in new gravel, whatever color you want, put in heater and hood with lights. Start up your new filter. Cut a piece of filter floss or sponge whatever you have in your old tank and put that in your new tank along with the filter media the new filter came with. Put some gravel from you old tank in a pantyhose or aquarium safe mesh bag and hang it under the part of the filter where the water is returned to your tank. The small piece of old filter media and gravel will help "seed" your new filter and introduce the beneficial bacteria that is essential in cycling a new tank. After a couple days you can test your water and keep testing and you should see a very fast cycle. If you new tank doesn't fit I would buy a metal stand at wal-mart, they don't tend to be too expensive.

With the tiger barbs you will be more limited to your stocking options since they can be fin nipers, though in larger groups they tend to keep to themselves. Corys would look good and shouldn't be bothered. Just keep in mind if you get a 20 long you won't be able to add anymore fish besides a few barbs to get your schools up. the bigger the tank the more fish you can have. You'll probably want a bigger tank later down the road and if you can afford it now I would get the biggest and longest you can, you can slowly buy your stuff and even just buy the essentials, tank, filter, heater, light, gravel and get the tank cycled now and add all your other things later.

good luck

Shrimpy

u should get a bigger tank

Kevin

you could put the new filter in the old tank and the old filter in the new tank...thats what i would do, you will have to test your water to know when your tank has cycled, i like the cory cats better too they have more color and shape
but i'm gonna put some otos in my betta tank...just to have a variety