ricktavious

I've decided to get some cardinal tetras for a 10 gallon tank. Right now, there are no fish currently in the tank, but it is cycled and I am feeding it each day to keep everything fine in there. So now I present you with a laundry list of questions:

1) What is a good number for a 10 gallon tank...I have read that the more the better, but I do not want them to feel cramped or on the other side "lonely" or whatever in there.

2) Right now, the tank I have has several hiding places at the bottom, plus a few floating java ferns on the top. Will more plants be needed to keep them happy? Additionally, I have a history of killing almost every single plant I have ever owned. If I need a new plant, suggestions of something they would like and is easy to keep alive would be fantastic

3) Substrate is smooth glass marbles. I know that some fish prefer different substrates, so I'd like to know if I should get something different.

4) Unfortunately, the last tennant of the tank recently passed. The tank had good levels, fully cycled, etc, so I am afraid that he got sick and passed. The fish was a BN pleco. Will I need to worry about a potential sickness from the pleco passing on to the cards, and if so, what can I do to prevent it?

5) Foods....I have read flakes and freeze dried/live foods for them. What are some specific brands of flake food that are considered the best for fish? What kinds of other foods do they like (blood worms, brine shrimp, cyclopeeze/micro crabs, etc...)?

6) I'm trying to get my bases covered, so if I missed anything that I should have addressed, please let me know and chime in. Thanks to all who take the time to respond

JESS01

Hi, I'm here to try and be some help.
1) The most basic stocking rules for any fish tank is one inch of fish per 1.2 US gallon of water. You can add in a couple more inches but be prepared for more frequent water changes.
2) What do you mean by hiding places, is it plastic plants, rocks, or clay pots, ect.? It would be easier to detirmine with an idea of the decor.
3) Marbles, I think, are easier to clean than gravel or most substrates. I haven't used it before, but my thinking is to stick with it.
4) I'm sort of iffy for this one but I'll give you what i think. My finding is tht if the pleco was sick you might have a problem but if it wasn't there shouldn't be a problem. If you aren't sure, make sure you test your aquarium for ammonia, nitarate, ect., and do a water change just in case. If you already have, don't just follow my idea, wiat for a mod.
5) I don't know what to say on this one. I use color enchancing flakes by topfin, and i haven't used anything else. you should probably wait for a more experinced person.
6) I like the cardinals,but do you plan on anything else? In my opnion, cories are better than plecs, but mine tolerate each other so you could expiriment

ricktavious

Thanks for the answers....got a bit of follow up info for you:

2) A cave and a couple of bridges at the bottom, java ferns floating around one side on the top, a chunk of that dense wood that's at the bottom that was there for the plec (can't think of what it is called).

4) Did a test, everything was fine in the tank (nitrites were at 5-10, everything else at 0). I am in no way, shape, or form an expert on determining if a fish is sick, but from my very untrained eye, there appeared nothing wrong with him when he died. Any clue what I can do, other than maybe medicate the tank, to prevent something else?

6) I wouldn't plan on anything else for now. Don't want to worry about overstocking.

eiginh

You can put at least 6 cardinal tetras in there.

Here's a thread made from agabr123
Work In Progress: Freshwater Community Stocking List

Her stocking list really helped me a lot. The inch per gallon rule is kind of iffy because think about putting a 13 inch oscar fish in a 13/15 gallon tank.

Are you using liquid or strip tests?

What type of plant did you buy? If it's from a chained pet store, most likely you bought non aquatic plants which last a short time in aquariums.

ricktavious

Thanks a lot for the great link!

Been using the API liquid tests.

I have no clue what kind of plants I've bought. Some have come from local places, some from large chains, but the result is usually the same! I've even had quite a few java ferns not last on me.

iluvnyc

Hi =) im not doubting your inch per gallon rule but i just have a question, cuz i wanan get new fish as well i have 6 fish in a 10 gallon tank and was wondering, what about fish shops they keep them in like a 15 gallon tank or so and depending on species they'd have a huge amount of them i wanted to add 4-6 more fish in my 10 gallon tank that already contains 6 fish and 2 small african dwarf frogs, would this be possible if not, my tank is not HEAVILY planted but its got a good amount would this help with allowing more biomass into my tank