Starting New Tank - Questions About Startup

Research how to properly use TSS. I personally love prime and stability. These two help keep your fish alive during cycle process. Happy cycling

 

I can see a problem down the road depending on how aggressive your guppy and gudgeon are.

I've had a guppy and gudgeon in twice that size and both were at it so hard they were flipping out of the water and ripping fins off of each other, both were males though and one has since been rehomed.

Not saying you will have the same issue but when I had that stock it didn't work for me. You will defiantly need tons of hiding spots in order to reduce aggression/ for the gudgeon anyways. In my case I just needed to add females and more numbers to reduce aggression but you will not be able to in a 10G if problems arise...only my 2cents of course!

 

For cycling your tank, you'd probably be better with Prime & Stability together. You can't use prime with tss, so you can't protect your fish against the ammonia/nitrite.

 

When you say you have all but the fish, does that mean you don't yet have the guppy? If not why not do a fishless cycle?

 

I am helping my kid setup a new 10 gallon tank. So far we have nice piece of driftwood, one rock, anubias nana, java fern, christmas moss and moss ball. Christmas ball and anubias nana will go onto the driftwood to create a tree-like effect. Substrate is black sand and we also have Neo-Therm heater and Aquaclear 20 HOB filter.

As far as stocking, he wanted one honey gourami and two peacock gudgeons. We are going to be doing fish in cycle with one guppy and TSS+. I know that even after the tank is cycled, my kid will get too attached to the guppy so he will not give it back to the LFS. So as a result, we will end up with one honey gourami, one peacock gudgeon and one guppy. Hope that's OK for a small community tank. According to AqAdvisor, our stocking will be at 72% and will require 17% water changes weekly (we are going to do 20% which is 2 gallons). Filtration is at 215%.

We have all but the fish so we will start the aquarium setup tonight and most likely finish this weekend. Will post photos of the process later.

Any comments and/or recommendations?

Guppys require a very astablished tank they can be a bit sensitive I would recommend getting some shrimp or some snail to start off with and adding some bacteria in a bottle. This will help so you can add guppys quicker.

 

I do know that the fishless cycle is better (for fish) but it is hard to tell 10 year old that he will be staring at an empty tank for a month until the invisible cycle happens. We did one fish-in cycle using TSS+ in the past and it was successful. We are hoping that this time we can succeed as well.

 

I do know that the fishless cycle is better (for fish) but it is hard to tell 10 year old that he will be staring at an empty tank for a month until the invisible cycle happens. We did one fish-in cycle using TSS+ in the past and it was successful. We are hoping that this time we can succeed as well.

It doesn’t have to be a month if you add bacteria in a bottle.

 

Guppys require a very astablished tank they can be a bit sensitive I would recommend getting some shrimp or some snail to start off with and adding some bacteria in a bottle. This will help so you can add guppys quicker.

Guppy was recommended for the fish-in cycle by owner of LFS when we told him that we want to have HG and PG as the final stocking. He told us that we can bring Guppy back once the cycle is finished but my son will not want to part with the fish so Guppy is going to stay unless as reported earlier, there is a big fight between Guppy and PG.

 

Guppies are actually very hardy and are a beginner fish.

Shrimp and snails are actually one of the most sensitive species in the hobby.

If there is a fight between the guppy and gudgeon rehoming one is best option. My guppy was near death.

 

Guppy was recommended for the fish-in cycle by owner of LFS when we told him that we want to have HG and PG as the final stocking. He told us that we can bring Guppy back once the cycle is finished but my son will not want to part with the fish so Guppy is going to stay unless as reported earlier, there is a big fight between Guppy and PG.

I would also just like to say that it is best to make sure that you son (as I am sure you will do) does not hit the side of the glass of the aquarium as is very common with young people.

Guppies are actually very hardy and are a beginner fish.

Shrimp and snails are actually one of the most sensitive species in the hobby.

If there is a fight between the guppy and gudgeon rehoming one is best option. My guppy was near death.

Thank you for this information I had always been informed that guppies are very sensitive fish,but I am clearly wrong.

 

I would also just like to say that it is best to make sure that you son (as I am sure you will do) does not hit the side of the glass of the aquarium as is very common with young people.

He will never do it. He had a tank for about a year and really cared for his Betta fish changing water every week, feeding, and playing with him. He is the responsible one out of the two boys I have.

 

He will never do it. He had a tank for about a year and really cared for his Betta fish changing water every week, feeding, and playing with him. He is the responsible one out of the two boys I have.

That is wonderful,I am really pleased to hear that. I am sure he will take good care of what ever fish you decide to get.

 

Thank you for this information I had always been informed that guppies are very sensitive fish,but I am clearly wrong.

In general guppies are pretty hardy fish but it depends on the type and color variant. Because they breed so easily, some of the more desired color variants are very over-bred and are actually quite sensitive.

 

I've set up my 10 gallon tank and I am now preparing it. I already have a filter, 2 plastic plants and a heater. I plan to get the following items:
Thermometer
EDIT: I'm not getting tetra aquasafe plus dechlorinator, I'll get Seachem Prime dechlorinator.
plastic plant and rock decor

I plan to get a betta for the tank. But a ten gallon tank with just a betta seems too empty for me - what I want to know is what are some good , peaceful tank mates for a betta that would live happily in a ten gallon tank? And I also had some thoughts about temperature, would I need to modify the temperature to suit both kinds of fish? If you suggest a tankmate, would appreciate if you could specify what temperature would be best
(P.S. Any extra advice is apperciated!)

 

Every Betta fish is different. I've had some betta fish who will not let anything near their tank and others that could care less. Right now, believe it or not, I actually have a betta with rams and guppies, and there is no aggression at all. The key is to add many sight barriers such that their territory is limited to their view. That in mind, if you are trying to add other fish, make sure you have plenty of hiding spaces. Also have a back up tank if you happen to have a betta that doesn't like anything breathing.

To start off, I would add fish with not a lot of color, no long fins, and are relatively fast. We don't want to provoke the betta since we don't know their personality yet. Thus, for a ten gallon, white cloud mountain minnows would be a good starter choice. They also like the temperature on the color side (64-27 F), so they are a good fit for your betta. Be careful the first couple hours. Make sure you monitor your betta's behavior, and immediately remove the new fish if the betta becomes aggressive. It might also help to rearrange the tank before you put the new fish in such that the betta no longer has a set territory.

If after a month, you notice your betta is docile towards the other fish, you might want to try adding other fish, perhaps some with more color, and see how it goes. You might get lucky, and have a very peaceful betta, but remember to always have a back up plan.

 

Every Betta fish is different. I've had some betta fish who will not let anything near their tank and others that could care less. Right now, believe it or not, I actually have a betta with rams and guppies, and there is no aggression at all. The key is to add many sight barriers such that their territory is limited to their view. That in mind, if you are trying to add other fish, make sure you have plenty of hiding spaces. Also have a back up tank if you happen to have a betta that doesn't like anything breathing.

To start off, I would add fish with not a lot of color, no long fins, and are relatively fast. We don't want to provoke the betta since we don't know their personality yet. Thus, for a ten gallon, white cloud mountain minnows would be a good starter choice. They also like the temperature on the color side (64-27 F), so they are a good fit for your betta. Be careful the first couple hours. Make sure you monitor your betta's behavior, and immediately remove the new fish if the betta becomes aggressive. It might also help to rearrange the tank before you put the new fish in such that the betta no longer has a set territory.

If after a month, you notice your betta is docile towards the other fish, you might want to try adding other fish, perhaps some with more color, and see how it goes. You might get lucky, and have a very peaceful betta, but remember to always have a back up plan.

Can I place my betta with 5 neon tetras?

 

You can try it. They are a little more flashy, but as long as you have a back up, it can't hurt to try.

 

White clouds and bettas do not share temperature compatibility. White clouds prefer cooler water (upper 60s to low 70s) while bettas need to be in water in the upper 70s to around 80F.

Bettas are frequently housed with neon tetras. Most people don't have a problem. But like TI'm said, every betta is different and you could get one that doesn't let anything near him or one that is as friendly as ever.

 

You can try it. They are a little more flashy, but as long as you have a back up, it can't hurt to try.

White clouds and bettas do not share temperature compatibility. White clouds prefer cooler water (upper 60s to low 70s) while bettas need to be in water in the upper 70s to around 80F.

Bettas are frequently housed with neon tetras. Most people don't have a problem. But like TI'm said, every betta is different and you could get one that doesn't let anything near him or one that is as friendly as ever.

But I was always very unsure about neon tetras, people telling me they're very hardy, people telling me they're not hardy at all. I am very, very unsure about getting this fish. I usually buy from petsmart, is it true that their fish are not properly taken care of (And are therefore less likely to live long)?

 

Do not mix neons and bettas if you do not want to have this happen. It may be fine for a while but invariably it happens. I do not understand why people still say it is a good mix.

 

I just want a fish that is very easy to keep alive and will cooperate.

 

I just want a fish that is very easy to keep alive and will cooperate.

A single betta in a 10 is a nice thing. I generally only keep a male betta in a ten with live plants.

This was Indigo he really enjoyed his ten planted with java ferns. You may want to consider them, they are easy to grow.

 

I had 5 neon tetras with my betta. Even in a tank that was too small for both of them (this is fixed) they did good. But it depends on every betta's personality, mine was a bit nippy at first but he learned to live peacefully with them.

 

People say neon tetras are not hardy because they have been overbred, causing inbreeding and creating a genetically weaker fish. I can confirm neons are not as hardy as other similar fish. I still keep them and have had mine for a very long time. The ones in my tank are healthy and doing great.

The problem is really when you get them. You can go buy 10 danios or other species of tetra and put them in a cycled tank, and they will all live long healthy lives. If I went and bought 10 neon tetras and put them in a cycled tank, I would expect a few to die in the first week. After that week, the rest will live long healthy lives.

And no one can guarantee any fish will do well with your betta. You just can't know until you try since all bettas have different personalities.

 

People say neon tetras are not hardy because they have been overbred, causing inbreeding and creating a genetically weaker fish. I can confirm neons are not as hardy as other similar fish. I still keep them and have had mine for a very long time. The ones in my tank are healthy and doing great.

The problem is really when you get them. You can go buy 10 danios or other species of tetra and put them in a cycled tank, and they will all live long healthy lives. If I went and bought 10 neon tetras and put them in a cycled tank, I would expect a few to die in the first week. After that week, the rest will live long healthy lives.

And no one can guarantee any fish will do well with your betta. You just can't know until you try since all bettas have different personalities.

100% ystrout They are not what I would recommend for a first fish. We have 2 separate schools at 20 strong each that are years old.

 

View attachment 496573

May I just say that is probably the prettiest betta I have ever seen?

 

Bettas thrive around 78f-80f
Neons thrive around 72-74f

Imo a betta is a 10G is perfect! I've got a betta in a 10G, and he is always swimming around. Honestly, there isn't empty space. The tank looks very simple and absolutely perfect for the betta, and it's very easy to maintain. I say go for it!!

 

May I just say that is probably the prettiest betta I have ever seen?

Thank you Ash Paws Sunhawk picked him out. He lived a good long life. When he took the long swim to the ancestors he was buried as a family member.

 

FishCareGuide Be extremely careful if your going for fake plants. I got my Crowntail Betta a plastic red plant as seen in my thumbnail from Petsmart and I eventually learned plastic kind of plants are a no no for Betta's compared to other fish because the plastic can be pointy and overall tear their fins. I suggest a silk plant. and are awesome products. My Betta Koriand'r loves them and they are very friendly safe for all Betta's. I ordered mine from ebay and amazon has them too.

 

I'd recommend Seachem Prime for water conditioner. It neutralizes chlorine, ammonia, and nitrite. Super concentrated though. Don't dose it like other kinds of conditioners.

Do you know how cycling works?

 

FishCareGuide Be extremely careful if your going for fake plants. I got my Crowntail Betta a plastic red plant as seen in my thumbnail from Petsmart and I eventually learned plastic kind of plants are a no no for Betta's compared to other fish because the plastic can be pointy and overall tear their fins. I suggest a silk plant. and are awesome products. My Betta Koriand'r loves them and they are very friendly safe for all Betta's. I ordered mine from ebay and amazon has them too.

I've had 3 bettas in the past, my plants never hurt them before, I'm pretty sure they are safe.

I've been told many times over that PetSmart's fish are terribly bred and some will die fast. That's true, right? I usually go to petsmart to get my fish. And for some weird reason, it seems to me that in most cases, the smaller the type of fish, the more likely it is to die.....
So, what other types of fish can live with my betta?

A single betta in a 10 is a nice thing. I generally only keep a male betta in a ten with live plants.

This was Indigo he really enjoyed his ten planted with java ferns. You may want to consider them, they are easy to grow.
View attachment 496573

That betta is so pretty!

and do I cover the filter intake if I want neons in my tank?

 

Please don't mix tropical fish (betta) with subtropic fish (neons) there are better alternatives.

 

Please don't mix tropical fish (betta) with subtropic fish (neons) there are better alternatives.

Okay, but I do need more suggestions....

 

Smaller tetras like ember, ruby or green neons are better suited for a 10 gallon tank and more temperature compatable. Certain rasbos are temp and size compatable. Seriously fish is a pretty good source for research on different fish.

 

Smaller tetras like ember, ruby or green neons are better suited for a 10 gallon tank and more temperature compatable. Certain rasbos are temp and size compatable. Seriously fish is a pretty good source for research on different fish.

ok thanks, I'll check that out.

 

Um, I still have no idea what I should get so some more replies would be nice... Please?

 

Um, I still have no idea what I should get so some more replies would be nice... Please?

Have you looked into snails? Nerite Snails won’t breed and if you find the tiny thorned ones they are super cute. I keep Malaysian Trumpet Snails with my Betta but move people consider them to be an invasive species as they breed a lot. They also won’t clean algae as well as the Nerite snail would but I like them all the same.

Otherwise you could try guppies, but again it depends on your Betta. I put some feeder guppies in my betta’s tank to see his temperament and he didn’t mind them

 

Have you looked into snails? Nerite Snails won’t breed and if you find the tiny thorned ones they are super cute. I keep Malaysian Trumpet Snails with my Betta but move people consider them to be an invasive species as they breed a lot. They also won’t clean algae as well as the Nerite snail would but I like them all the same.

Otherwise you could try guppies, but again it depends on your Betta. I put some feeder guppies in my betta’s tank to see his temperament and he didn’t mind them

What temperature should I set it to if I add guppies too (To have a temperature they both will thrive in?)

So it depends on my betta's personality whether or not he will accept them?

I've changed my mind, I'm not getting tetra aquasafe plus as my dechlorinator, I'll get Seachem Prime.

 

What temperature should I set it to if I add guppies too (To have a temperature they both will thrive in?)

So it depends on my betta's personality whether or not he will accept them?

I've changed my mind, I'm not getting tetra aquasafe plus as my dechlorinator, I'll get Seachem Prime.

Seachem Prime is great, I like to keep mine at 78 but some people keep their tanks higher

 

Hello anyone who reads this!
I am new to the freshwater aquarium tank and have recently assembled a 15 Gallon Fluval Flex! I am here to discuss my tank and any improvements I can make. I am open to any and all.
I also have a minor concern with algae growth, It has spread it my moss and I am unsure what to do! If you have any advice I am open to everything!
Thanks for taking the time to read!

 

The only critters so far are 1 nerite and 1 assassin snail

 

Tank looks great imo. Make sure to cycle the tank if you plan on adding any fish ! Read into the Nitrogen Cycle if you are unsure what cycling is

 

The only critters so far are 1 nerite and 1 assassin snail

You ever read “The Most Dangerous Game”? This sounds kinda like that but snail version

Tank looks amazing btw!

 

Algae doesn't look that bad, but if it gets out of control you can reduce the amount of light you give to the tank. Make sure the live plants get enough though. You can also dose the tank with some algae prevention meds, but I have no experience with that.

 

Looks good! How long has it been running? What ferts are you using?

 

Tank looks great imo. Make sure to cycle the tank if you plan on adding any fish ! Read into the Nitrogen Cycle if you are unsure what cycling is

Thank you for the advice, I do plan on adding fish, specifically kulI loaches. I read more into the Nitrogen cycle and plan on properly cycling the tank before adding fish friends!

You ever read “The Most Dangerous Game”? This sounds kinda like that but snail version

Tank looks amazing btw!

Haha, experienced that little game in the first stages of the tank. Had many baby snails showing up but the assassin snail has developed a bigger appetite!

Algae doesn't look that bad, but if it gets out of control you can reduce the amount of light you give to the tank. Make sure the live plants get enough though. You can also dose the tank with some algae prevention meds, but I have no experience with that.

Thanks! I do not plan on adding any chemicals unless it is essential at this point. I will keep a close eye on the growth though and try to minimize the spread!

Looks good! How long has it been running? What ferts are you using?

Thank you! I have had it operational now with plants coming up on 3 weeks. I have not added any first but am open to it if you have any suggestions!

 

Very nice tank, pick up a bottle of Nilocg Thrive C that's a good all in 1 fert

 

Root tabs won't hurt either. Adjusting how long the light is on will help with algae. Usually 6-8 hrs is the most widely used time.

 

Nice looking tank! You know an assassin can eat a nerite? Assassins eat snails. I have them and that’s what they eat. So you’ll need some feeder snails.
Even though they’re snails they won’t do good in an unicycled tank. So check your reading and change water fi needed.

As to the algae it could be your lighting. How long is it on for and what type of light. I use api co2 booster in my tanks. It helps the plants and kills the algae. I also use the flourish line of ferts. The 2 swords and the Val could use root tabs. 1 and a half tabs would work. Put a half tab under each of those plants. The rest will need the liquid ferts.

I also have a 15g. It’s a nice tank. I have Pygmy Cory’s and shrimp in it and my feeder bladder snails .

 

Great looking tank. As others have said, limit your lighting to 6ish hours a day and you should see some algae start to clear up. Great looking scape too