Upgrading My 10 Gallon

Hello I have a 10 gallon tank that I want to upgrade. I was thinking of putting sand in the tank instead of gravel and then putting some Dwarf Hairgrass in there along with my existing amazon sword. I would put my pair of existing cory's in there with 5 Harlequin Rasboras and my existing betta. The betta has been with all kinds of fish and invertebrates and the only thing he attacked was ghost shrimp because they where so tiny he thought he could have a little snack. Lol. I will have a 20 watt Florescent light on for about 4 hours every day. Just wanted to get opinions and see if this is a good plan.
Thank You In Advance!

 

Hello! I think you substituting gravel with the sand is a good choice! IME, sand is easier to take care of cleaning wise for me! also, cory cats love sand! do you know what kind of cories you have?

OH! and I unfortunately never had any experience with betta fish. I think that the 10 gallon would be fine with the betta and 5 rasboras. cories I know from my experience like a 20 gallon tank that is long like 30-35 inches in length. they like to swim around a lot. I have one in my 29 gallon tank and he loves swimming around all over the place! LOL. but if you have two very small cories like pygmy corie, it could work out temporarily for them.

 

Awesome that you're upgrading! Post pictures when you do.

Sand is a really good idea for your corys. They like to sift the sand through their gills looking for little bits of food. And it's more gentle on their skin than a rough gravel.

I suggest you get some more of the same type of corys as well. They are a shoaling fish that do best in groups, like the rasboras. I would get 4 more corys, so that you have 6. I'd also get 6 rasboras, instead of 5. 6 is just kind of the magic number for me with shoals. I know, a lot of people do shoals of 5 with no problem. I just feel better doing shoals of 6 myself. Probably just personal preference.

Regarding plants, a lot of people will tell you sand is a bad substrate for plants, and sure, it might be, but it's better for your fish. But personally, I have never had any issues with sand and plants. I've personally kept amazon swords, anubias, crypts, and dwarf hairgrass in sand tanks, and all of those plants did well in sand for me. Now, I've always stuck with "beginner plants", like I just listed. If you go for more intermediate or advanced plants, sand may not work so well for you. But with what you described, I think your plants should do fine.

 

Hello! I think you substituting gravel with the sand is a good choice! IME, sand is easier to take care of cleaning wise for me! also, cory cats love sand! do you know what kind of cories you have?

OH! and I unfortunately never had any experience with betta fish. I think that the 10 gallon would be fine with the betta and 5 rasboras. cories I know from my experience like a 20 gallon tank that is long like 30-35 inches in length. they like to swim around a lot. I have one in my 29 gallon tank and he loves swimming around all over the place! LOL. but if you have two very small cories like pygmy corie, it could work out temporarily for them.

My corydoras are "mini" emerald cory's. The breeder I got them from said they would be about an inch and a half when fully grown. Would they do good in a 10 gallon when fully grown? They are only about half an inch right now. They are best buddies, I NEVER see them separated lol

 

I think the corys will need more room once full grown, especially if you complete the school to have 6 total. They are super active and love the swim around the tank and a 10 gallon wouldn't give them enough space to do that. They'll be fine until you can upgrade them though

I love my sand tanks and have almost switched all of them over to sand. For the plants, you can use root tabs to help them grow. It's not as good as the specialized plant substrates but for a simple planted tank, it will do. It's what I use and my plants are perfectly happy!

 

Cory's do better in a 20 g long tank than a 10 gallon tank. It's more swimming room as a 10 gallon is about 1.5 feet long vs a 20 gallon which is about 2 feet long. I would actually see about upgrading the tank as well as you do have quite a collection of fish in there.

 

How long until I will have to put them In a 20 long? I want to be prepared. . Also should I do sand for the 20 long too? Could I add any other fish?

 

Sand would be best for the cory.

The major problem that you have after reviewing your stock is that they're all not temp comparable. Betta requires warmer temperatures 75-86 degrees. Your rasboras 72-77 degrees and the Emerald cory are 68-72 degrees. If the cory's are in the warmer waters it will speed up the metabolism, basically growing them fast and eventually they die young with a old body. Something along the lines of that.

Your betta and rasboras might be alright together, but your not looking a a wide range. The cory should be in a cooler tank.

 

Sand would be best for the cory.

The major problem that you have after reviewing your stock is that they're all not temp comparable. Betta requires warmer temperatures 75-86 degrees. Your rasboras 72-77 degrees and the Emerald cory are 68-72 degrees. If the cory's are in the warmer waters it will speed up the metabolism, basically growing them fast and eventually they die young with a old body. Something along the lines of that.

Your betta and rasboras might be alright together, but your not looking a a wide range. The cory should be in a cooler tank.

Okay . The Cory’s are in a tank with a temperature of 77 like all my other tanks. My problem with there temperature is that the tank they are in has three other fish in it that requires a temperature of 72-80 so would the cory’s Be okay at there max temperature. Also my heaters are set to keep the water temperature at 77 and there is no adjustment on it. What kind of heater can I buy?

 

Okay . The Cory’s are in a tank with a temperature of 77 like all my other tanks. My problem with there temperature is that the tank they are in has three other fish in it that requires a temperature of 72-80 so would the cory’s Be okay at there max temperature. Also my heaters are set to keep the water temperature at 77 and there is no adjustment on it. What kind of heater can I buy?

Most heaters have dials on the top so you can adjust them according to how you like it. Your not alone when it comes to temperature problems. I myself have run into it. I have cory's that require lower temperatures but I had an angel fish. The angelfish died, bully and thus I was able to lower the temperature.

It's about finding a happy medium with the fish. Cory's, while cute do throw the whole thing in a loop when it comes to stocking. Perhaps you can go to the LFS and sell the emeralds back and see about getting a Panda Cory, they will fit the bill with warmer temperatures as they range around 72-79 degrees. If you really like your emeralds get another tank for them.

 

Bronze Corys will fit the temperature bill as well. Also, at most pet stores, the albino corys are actually albinos of the bronze cory.

 

Most heaters have dials on the top so you can adjust them according to how you like it. Your not alone when it comes to temperature problems. I myself have run into it. I have cory's that require lower temperatures but I had an angel fish. The angelfish died, bully and thus I was able to lower the temperature.

It's about finding a happy medium with the fish. Cory's, while cute do throw the whole thing in a loop when it comes to stocking. Perhaps you can go to the LFS and sell the emeralds back and see about getting a Panda Cory, they will fit the bill with warmer temperatures as they range around 72-79 degrees. If you really like your emeralds get another tank for them.

Okay so this might sound weird but.....I get attached to all my little fish friends and I would hate for them to go. If I get a tank for JUST them, how big does it have to be? Should I add more cory’s Or just have the two?

 

Okay so this might sound weird but.....I get attached to all my little fish friends and I would hate for them to go. If I get a tank for JUST them, how big does it have to be? Should I add more cory’s Or just have the two?

Cory won't stress as easy if they are in groups of 6 or more. So I would get more emeralds to complete the school.