xxSTEPHENSxx

I want to get a peppered cory or 2 to go with my glo fish in my 10gal tank. I was wondering what I need to prepare for.

Will they need hiding places? I know Glofish don't like heavly planted tanks so i have a few plants not alot. Any suggestions on what I should do?

funkman262

I was also thinking about getting peppered cory to keep the bottom of my tank clean (and because they're fun critters to watch). I believe they like to be kept in groups of 3 and I hope you have sand because gravel may damage their barbels. As for hiding places, I hope someone else can help.

tremod

I got two Peppered corys today.

My tank is heavily planted but i have two caves and noticed that they seem to stay at the bottom in the shade and in and out of the caves.

But the more hiding places the better so I have been told.

Hope this helps.

xxSTEPHENSxx

Ok... I don't have sand but I am considering relacing the gravel with sand. How will that affect my cycle?

treve

You cant really put a group of cory in a 10 gallon tank but 2 should get on fine,they are shy at first but when they get use to the surroundings of your tank they wont stop moving around it is always nice to have some shelter for them but my corys never seem to hide they are always out and about.

treve

I have sand in my tanks and my corys love it but alot of people on the forum say they do fine with gravel.
If you change over you will put of your cycle because most of the bacteria is in your substrate.

xxSTEPHENSxx

I am setting up a 50gal tank soon. So I will transfer them to that one.

I don't know what to do... I want the sand but I don't want to put the fish through a cycle!

Butterfly

As long as your gravel isn't real sharp they will be fine.
Carol

Tigerfishy

They'll be fine with the gravel, as long as it is smooth edged, you will have no probs.
Most bacteria is in the filter so as long as you keep your existing decor, you can change to sand. An option is to hang some of your old gravel inside the tank for a few weeks inside panty hose to get the bacteria into the tank with the sand. As long as you are able to do this, then your cycle shouldn't be too badly affected. You may see a mini-cycle but some regular water changes will sort that right out.

funkman262

If you plan on transferring them to a larger tank soon, I'd stick with the gravel for now (just watch that the cory don't hurt themselves because they like to dig up the substrate) and use sand in the 50 gallon tank (although if you really prefer gravel and the cories are doing ok in it, then it's up to you).

I would highly suggest doing a fishless cycle on the 50 gallon before you transfer the fish. You can do this by seeding the tank with an old filter from the 10 gallon. Have your new filters with biomedia set up on the larger tank and also have your substrate in there (gravel or sand). Add either some drops of ammonia or fish food to keep the ammonia levels up for the baceria. Test your water each week and it'll be ready when your ammonia and nitrite are zero and your nitrate is rising.

Good luck

xxSTEPHENSxx

Ok thanks everyone! I feel better about it now. I will update you on what happens.

Treefork

I did a half gravel / half sand tank separated it with some large rocks. The cory's loved the sand, you can see their little barbel prints and they stick their little faces into it digging around for food. 3 Cory's would be fine in a 10 gallon.

emily8

Cories usually like schools of 3 or more. If it's possible for you to get more like 5 or so, they'd be a lot more happy.

mosin360

I use pea gravel and my five Peppered Corys are doing fine. They really like my little hollow tree trunk to hide in.

And I would disagree that most of your bacteria is in the gravel/sand/ect. You will find that most users on this site agree that it's in your filter media that you will find most of your bacteria.

funkman262

I second that. In addition to the regular filters with AC (which have to be replaced every couple weeks), I have Fluval Biomax in 3 different containers/slots between my 2 filters. Those containers don't need to be replaced so they always have a lot of bacteria in them. I wouldn't count on your substrate affecting your biological filtration too much.

xxSTEPHENSxx

I have 2 cory's and I will add another one soon. I am setting up my 55gal tank this weekend. I bought the filter and pool filter sand so it can start it's cycle. Is it ok if I don't add the decor right now? I have already spent $200ish in the last two weeks on FISH STUFF!

xxSTEPHENSxx

I am going to also do the gravel change to sand in the 10gal this weekend.

funkman262

If the filter fits in the 10g tank, I'd suggest letting it run there for a couple weeks to allow bacteria to establish on it. Also, does the filter have a slot for an extra cartridge? If so, you might want to put some type of biomedia in there to encourage bacterial growth. I use Fluval Biomax in mine.

mosin360

Sure. I don't have the money to buy all the fake plants and caves ect ect for my 38g I setup this week. What I would do once you do get them is wash them very well and put them in when you do a water change since the water level will be lower.

And when I setup my first tank back in Nov, the cost kept getting higher, it was pretty crazy.

Prince Powder

I wouldn't recommend seeding off your 10 gallon tank since the tank is brand new and still cycling itself. In fact I wouldn't recommend doing anything to the 10g except your daily water changes until it is completely cycled. If you plan on changing the substrate, I suppose it would be best to do it now since you are at the very beginning of the cycle and don't have an established colony in your gravel. As for the larger tank, I would recommend a fishless cycle. The shrimp method is the easiest since you just drop it in, watch and wait.

Make sure you are very vigilant about your water changes now that you have the corys. They nowhere near as hardy as glofish and might have a really tough time in a cycling tank. Please don't add any more until your tank is done cycling. I know how exciting it is getting new fish, but for their sake it is best to wait.

xxSTEPHENSxx

Right I agree. They tank is going great. I am doing my daily water changes and logging them.