Compatibility and new tank filtration

I'm considering getting a 10-gallon tank for my two (maybe more) clown loaches and my pleco. Right now I have two clowns and one pleco in separate smaller tanks. I was at Wal-Mart and I saw cheap 10-gallons(barebones, $9.48, no hood, no filter, no nothin'), and I really wanted to give all three of my fish more space, so I thought it would be good. And since I had more space, I wanted to introduce a third, maybe a fourth clown. I love my clowns, they're like little dogs! I love to see them swim together and "cuddle". So, back to what I was talking about...would the pleco harrass the clowns, or vice versa?
Oh, the pleco is about 2 to 2.5 inches long and one clown is about 1.25 inches long and the smaller clown is barely 1 inch long. These measurements are as precise as I could get...the clowns kept darting away and the pleco kept burrowing.

And since I can't really afford the 10-gallon kit (complete with filter, hood, etc. at about $50), I was wondering if I could simply transfer the filters and heaters that I have in the smaller tanks to the larger 10-gallon tank.

AND seeing as I feed bloodworms to my clowns and algae wafers to the pleco, how would I feed them if I were to put them in the same tank? Are different feeding times suitable? Or would they just leave the other fish food alone? I think that's it for now, thanks in advance.

 

I dont think it is a very good idea to keep clown loaches or if the pleco is the common species in a 10 gallon tank because they will outgrow it very quickly. They'd both need a tank over 55gal. thats why I decided not to get any and bought a bristlenosed pleco instead as they only grow to about 5 or so inches while the common can get to over a foot long. So you might want to consider trading those fish in for some fish that stay smaller.

You could transfer the filter and heater to the larger tank but you'd have to check the capabilities of them to see if they can handle 10 gallons. If you transfer all the water from the smaller tanks into that larger one there would be no need to go through the tank cycle unless your parameters are out.

 

I know both the clowns and the pleco will outgrow the ten-gallon eventually. I've read up on them, so this definitely temporary. The pleco has grown the most since I got it...maybe two months ago and he's definitely gotten half an inch of growth. I got it because I'm looking forward to upgrading as it grows. One thing I didn't expect was all of the waste! But that's okay.
Anyway, same with the loaches. I'd have upgraded to something more like a 29, but I just had to run a red light and get a ticket last week. I don't see the harm in upgrading little by little if the fish are so small right now. In a few more months I'll definitely have more resources to upgrade where necessary.
Since you didn't mention it, I take it you think their compatibility is okay?

 

Well we all seem to be in agreement that the 10 gal. is way too small, but it sounds like you have a plan, and if upgrading them to the 10 for a couple of months at the most is what you will do, then, at least it is more tank than what they have now. You just can't change your mind later and not get the bigger tank. As Butterfly said, the waste buildup caused by your pleco is high, and with the rapid growth you are experiencing, the poop is growing also. The 10 will be nice to have as a hospital/quarantine tank for later, and definately make sure you have a seasoned filter to put in that 10 gal. or get some bio spira when you are ready to move everyone over. I would not get any more fish until you have the proper size to house them, and I would base it on their adult size.

 

Okay, yeah, the 10-gallon would be a stepping stone. I've been trying to find some good deals on bigger tanks ever since I got the fish this summer, so I'm not planning on keeping them cramped for long. Ebay has looked promising; I should have something soon. Thanks J-Man, Carol, Gunnie!

 

I was just tooling around the site and I saw a thread on the Python in the Miscellaneous section! Read through it, pretty cool. Definitely getting one of those suckers. I'm sick of having wet shoes whenever I siphon.

 

Yep. A most important piece of equipment for most serious fish lovers. I highly recommend them, especailly if you have medical issues. It makes maintenance so much easier!