New to fish / Want to breed!

So I have always wanted to have my own aquarium ever since I was little and now that I have gotten to the point where I am able to properly raise fish, I am really into it. So I got 2 red eared sliders for my birthday and I have had them for about 4 months now! So I am not completely new to this.

I just recently got some Mollies from my LFS and I currently have 5 of them [2 black, 2 orange, one white and black (3 female and 2 male I believe)] in a 10 gallon aquarium. Now I know this might be a little on the smaller side but I am looking to get a 30 gallon in about a month or so after I move. (If they do need to be in a bigger tank before than, please let me know and I can get a bigger one) I am just basically here asking for some advice. Now I have noticed that they have been staying near the top of the water for quite a while, although they have been doing it less, I read that this could be to an Ammonia problem. I really didn't know about Cycling my tank before I did any research. They have been in the tank for about a week now, are they going to be fine? Also I have been back and forth on keeping some gravel in my tank. Right now I don't have any in it because I just think it is so much easier to keep clean. Should I use gravel or not? Oh and I currently don't have the water salted but I have been reading that the Mollies do better with salt. So should I add salt? Basically I just want to get really educated on this and I believe these forums (if they are active) will be my new home!

Any help is greatly appreciated! Sorry if this is all scattered.

 

Ok to start you read that this may be part of an ammonia problem. Head over to your local LFS and get a "API Freshwater Master Test Kit" should be in the mid 20s low 30s. (price). Test your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels and tell us what they are.

Also are your 2 red eared sliders in your 10g? If so your filter should already be stabilized which means your ammonia problem may be due to over feeding.

Another reason for staying at the top of the water or at the surface good be lack of oxygen in the water. Do you have a filter? How does it work? ect.

I am pretty sure mollies should have salt at the rate of 1 teaspon, 5 gallons (I think...).

Now back to your ammonia. If your filter has been running with fish for 4 months that means ammonia could be due to build up of waste, or over feeding. I recommend (easier because its only 10g..) do 25-40% daily water changes, make sure you get a test kit to test your levels though!!!

As for your gravel, I recommend it, but I also recommend you get a gravel siphon to clean it which will work well. Gravel Siphons can be picked up at nearly any LFS...

Also what dechlorinator do you use if any? If your ammonia levels are high, look into prime... Prime is good as it locks away the ammonia...


Best of luck, and if you have any questions ask. I think I covered everything.

 

Ok to start you read that this may be part of an ammonia problem. Head over to your local LFS and get a "API Freshwater Master Test Kit" should be in the mid 20s low 30s. (price). Test your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels and tell us what they are.

Also are your 2 red eared sliders in your 10g? If so your filter should already be stabilized which means your ammonia problem may be due to over feeding.

Another reason for staying at the top of the water or at the surface good be lack of oxygen in the water. Do you have a filter? How does it work? ect.

I am pretty sure mollies should have salt at the rate of 1 teaspon, 5 gallons (I think...).

Now back to your ammonia. If your filter has been running with fish for 4 months that means ammonia could be due to build up of waste, or over feeding. I recommend (easier because its only 10g..) do 25-40% daily water changes, make sure you get a test kit to test your levels though!!!

As for your gravel, I recommend it, but I also recommend you get a gravel siphon to clean it which will work well. Gravel Siphons can be picked up at nearly any LFS...

Also what dechlorinator do you use if any? If your ammonia levels are high, look into prime... Prime is good as it locks away the ammonia...


Best of luck, and if you have any questions ask. I think I covered everything.

My red eared sliders are in a separate 40 gallon tank. I have a gravel vaccum. Tomorrow I will be going to the store to pick up some gravel, salt and water test kit.

Filter works great. Its for up to 20 gallons in a small 10 gallon tank.

And I do have a standard dechlorinator.

Thank you for your help!

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

Do NOT purchase salt for Mollies. They do not require it as the aquarium bred fish have never been exposed to salt.

You do not need gravel either. Any substrate is a personal choice. If you intend this 10G tank to be a QT, then leave it glass bottom. You can improve the filtration by adding a sponge filter to an air line. This will not only help to remove the nitrogen waste, but will help to oxygenate the water.

Fish hanging at the surface and/or gasping for air is a major warning sign. I recommend a 50% water change tonight or first thing in the morning. If you have a detoxing water conditioner, such as Seachem Prime or Kordon AmQuel+ with NovAqua+, this will help your fish. Until your tank cycles you will need to do daily water changes. I also suggest reading about the nitrogen cycle as it is a very important concept to understand.

Once you have your test kit, posting the results will help us to know how your tank is doing.

Good luck.

 

Welcome to FishLore hkyfr3ak91!!

If you could fill in your aquarium info, it would help members to see your set up and readings at a glance.
It's found under Forum Actions at the top of the page. Then click Edit Profile.

Thanks!

If your ammonia levels are high, look into prime... Prime is good as it locks away the ammonia...

Prime does not lock away ammonia.
Prime detoxifies it making it safer for fish but still available to the beneficial bacteria.

 

Welcome!

 

Ok so I did a water test for ammonia and it had .5 ammonia.

There are currently 5 mollies (3 males 2 females). Also there are 3 platy. 1 pleco. A little to crowded? I also have a fluval c2 filter so its a great filter for jut a 10 gallon!

 

Welcome to fishlore.I would do a partial water change as soon as possible then another.You should keep doing partial water changes everyday to keep the ammonia as close to 0 as possible.What are your nitrite and nitrate readings?Yes you are way overstocked in my opinion.I would rehome a lot of your fish.Is it possible for you to get tetra safe start or some filter media from someone else that has a tank up for awhile?

 

I don't know anyone that has fish so the filter media would be a negative. They do seem to be doing much better since I did a water change and I put some of my cycled 40 gallon tank water into it. They all seem to be pretty happy.

 

You don't want to put your other tank water There is very little good bacteria in the water column.Take a little bit of your filter media out of the cycled tank and put it in your new filter.That will help start the new bacteria colony.