Beginner Seeking Advice For A Community Tank

Hello, I am a beginner seeking some advice on what to stock my 10 gallon tank. I already have three male guppies living there and they've been there for a week. I am looking to get a three or so male platys but am unsure as to when to add them, and if my tank can handle the added fish long term. I added an "instant" cycling product a week before I added my fish and they seem to be handling the water fine and don't seem stressed out. I am in the process of getting some Prime water conditioner as I know that is an overall better treatment compared to the Top Fin conditioner I have now. I have done a couple water changes during the week that I have had my guppies as well.


I would like these questions answered:
How often should I add new fish to my tank and when is a good time to add them?
Are all male platys compatible with each other and with male guppies?
If not, what are some alternative tank mates that would be good as a community?
Will having 6 fish in a new tank overwhelm the filtration?
Can I add one platy at a time with the first one having no other platy in the tank?

Thank you in advance!

 

The 3 male guppies have already filled up that tank, if you add in 3 platys then the 10G will be overstocked. Now on to the questions:

1. When to add fish, you can add more fish when your tank is cycled and you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite.
2. Guppies and Platys are compatible with each other.
3. Having 6 fish won't overwhelm the filtration, highly depending on filtration though. But, the tank will then be overstocked and the fish will be stressed out just from that.
4. You could add 1 platy at a time. I don't know about other stores, but my LFS has a slight discount if you get 3 fish. So it's worth it just to add all 3 at the same time.

 

WELCOME to Fishlore!!!

As far as stocking go you can either get 3 more males when the tank finish cycling. Or you can get 1 platy and 1 guppy. As far as instant cycling product do you mean a BB supplement? Either way a instant cycling product doesn't mean you can add fish or fully stock your tank, it means that it instantly starts the cycling process.

Male platies and male guppies are compatible, the question is the personality such as aggressiveness.

What model filter do you have?

 

I do not believe in instant cycling products, I only believe in getting cycled media from a cycled tank to kickstart cycles. I do not think 3 guppies can create enough bioload in a week to kill themselves with Ammonia. 3 guppies and 3 Platys... Maybe they can manage to kill themselves in Ammonia if your tank is not cycled, altho killing them would be pretty hard in my opinion, you would have to neglect the tank a lot.
If you want the fish right now you would have to do a fish in cycle which many people here satanize but I think it is OK. You just have to stick to a strict water change routine.

I have a 10 gallon tho I am currently upgrading to a 45 gal. I kept 2 Mollys since the start because my LFS guy gave me a bunch of cycled media. I now have 2 Mollys and 5 dwarf corydoras, my filter is a HOB with a 300 lt per hour flow rate, the fish are doing fine. I believe you can get away with 3 Guppies and 3 male plattys and I would say it is not overstocked.

 

The problem is activity level , the tank would also get crowded both types of fish are very active

Here is the list for fish able to live in a 10 gallon:Stocking List for 10 Gallons

 

WELCOME to Fishlore!!!

As far as stocking go you can either get 3 more males when the tank finish cycling. Or you can get 1 platy and 1 guppy. As far as instant cycling product do you mean a BB supplement? Either way a instant cycling product doesn't mean you can add fish or fully stock your tank, it means that it instantly starts the cycling process.

Male platies and male guppies are compatible, the question is the personality such as aggressiveness.

What model filter do you have?

I have a Top Fin Power Filter 10 that came with my aquarium. I am looking to upgrade to a better one though, but I can't afford it right now.

 

What is the lt per hour flow in that filter?

 

What is the lt per hour flow in that filter?

90 gallons per hour or 340 litres per hour.

Or you can get 1 platy and 1 guppy.

Does that mean I can get one more guppy and then a platy? Because I already have 3 guppies.

 

yes

 

Since your filter does 90 GPH your filter is already cycling your tank water 9x per hour. Minimum you want to aI'm for 8, so you don't really need a new filter. Do this, the filter will filter better, also more room for BB.

 

yes

Would adding two platys instead of three make it so that it's less crowded?

Would adding two platys instead of three make it so that it's less crowded?

What are some good alternatives to make it less crowded? Any type of fish will be fine.