freshwater question

[autofreak44]

i got my freshwater tank set up 3 weeks ago, and now i have a plant that i bought (dont know what kind), a neon tetra, and a panda cori. my question is: do i have to buy sinking pellets for the panda cori, or will he be fine with the scraps from my tetra. he is constantly probing my substrate looking for food. just dont want the little guy to starve.
(btw saltwater is cooler but i wanted something in my room)

 

[texanangel]

Need to know how big your tank is and how long it's been running and on what type of filtration. Then I could give you some help. I've done freshwater my whole life, so I can tell you lots of things not to do.

 

[autofreak44]

10 gal put tetra in after 2 weeks and cori in after 3. up and running for a total of 3 i have an aquaclear 20

 

[lion_crazz]

Did you cycle the tank before putting these fish in? Both the neon tetra and cory cat are not the hardiest of fish. They may not survive if the tank is still cycling.
Besides that, neons are a schooling fish, and corys prefer to stay in small groups.

 

[texanangel]

Your best fish to start a small tank with are guppies. They are very hardy, and can survive most anything. As mentioned above, neons are not hardy at all, and need to be in groups of 5 or more. And yes, your cori will need sinking pellets, since your tank isn't old enough to have enough algae. And fair warning, your cori should be in a bigger tank, I know you can put more in a freshwater tank, but you also need live plants. I hope your fish make it, good luck!

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by texanangel
Your best fish to start a small tank with are guppies. They are very hardy, and can survive most anything. I disagree As mentioned above, neons are not hardy at all, and need to be in groups of 5 or more.I completely agree. And yes, your cori will need sinking pellets, since your tank isn't old enough to have enough algae. And fair warning, your cori should be in a bigger tank, I know you can put more in a freshwater tank, but you also need live plants. I hope your fish make it, good luck!

LIve bearers arent really that hardy.
If you want durable fish for a tenG go with black skirt tetras (also a schooling fish) groups of 5 or more are best.
corydoras are really sensitave to medication and high params (rate rite amm)
and you should feed him a sinking shrimp pellet every couple of days, in betweebn time he will forage up what the neon misses.
Generally neon tetras need a tank thats been up and running for 6months for a goode chance at survival, with out schoolmates you neon has almost no chance at survival because it is going to be constantly stressed from not feeling secure in its protective group, (saftey in numbers).

 

[autofreak44]

i cycled the tank, (cycled in a week). i consulted some people on a freshwater site and they said it was ok but i figured i better check here too. i guess i will take back the tetra, and buy some sinking pellets for the cori. i guess before i buy anything else i will consult you guys first. i was thinking of putting in 2 female bettas and 4 guppies. is that too much? im not to shure with freshwater so go easy on me lol
thanks

 

[michaeltx]

I agree neons are best suited for groups I have never been able to keep a single neon in a tank.
as far as guppies I have to disagree I cant keep them alive even when everything is in check not sure why. I bought 6 pairs and have a single male left all the rest all died of unknown reasons. the male has happily lived in a tank full of breeding angels for a few months now. GO figure.
on the cat yes sinking peletes are best for them along with algae waffers mine tear up the algae waffers I feed them the waffers about once a week for treat.
Mike

 

[ophiura]

I am not sure I would go with the 2 female bettas and guppies. Female bettas can actually be somewhat aggressive and nippy. Not a good mix, IMO, with guppies.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by MichaelTX
I agree neons are best suited for groups I have never been able to keep a single neon in a tank.
as far as guppies I have to disagree I cant keep them alive even when everything is in check not sure why. I bought 6 pairs and have a single male left all the rest all died of unknown reasons. the male has happily lived in a tank full of breeding angels for a few months now. GO figure.
on the cat yes sinking peletes are best for them along with algae waffers mine tear up the algae waffers I feed them the waffers about once a week for treat.
Mike
Guppies are not very hearty. Neons are ok, but as stated above, they do need a school of at least 4-5. Cory cats are hearty. I have rarely lost a cory. I fed them tetramin-tabs twice a week, but they will grab anything that hits the bottom. Most people tend to overfeed thinking that bottom fish don't find anything. They will find food just fine. What is the PH of your tank without you messing with it? It is best to find fish that are suited for your water. For example, if your natural PH is 8.0, you don't want to go with neons that prefer slightly acidic water.

 

[autofreak44]

ok well i guess my planning up to this point has been iffy so maybe you guys can help me out. im gonna send back the tetra so there will only be the cory in there. i want a stock list that is active, colorful, and have interesting personalities. i realy dont want 5 of the same fish, but guppies are ok because they have all different colors. my tank isnt going to have too many plants, probably 5 or 6 low bushy like plants. any good stock list ideas?
thanks

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by autofreak44
ok well i guess my planning up to this point has been iffy so maybe you guys can help me out. im gonna send back the tetra so there will only be the cory in there. i want a stock list that is active, colorful, and have interesting personalities. i realy dont want 5 of the same fish, but guppies are ok because they have all different colors. my tank isnt going to have too many plants, probably 5 or 6 low bushy like plants. any good stock list ideas?
thanks

What is your PH and what lights do you have on this tank? Live plants of any nature require good lighting. Again, your natural PH is important.

 

[autofreak44]

pH is 7.2 and i have 15 watt aquarium bulb (i dont know the K rating)

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by autofreak44
pH is 7.2 and i have 15 watt aquarium bulb (i dont know the K rating)
You are not going to be able to keep some plants alive for long with a 15 watt to be honest. There are some that would be ok, do a google for FW plants. There are some low light plants that would be fine in a 10 gallon with 15 watts. With a ph of 7.2, go with some tetras. Most of them like at least 3 to be comfortable. You could do some black skirts, blood fins, neons, ect. You might be able to do guppies.

 

[autofreak44]

ok what kind of bulb should i get for my tank. i just have a normal incandescant bulb fixture for it. should i get one of those screw in florescent bulbs?

 

[autofreak44]

also how many fish could i keep in there if i go with bloodfins, guppies, tetras, cories, etc

 

[autofreak44]

just an update, the tank is comming along great, we have 5 low light plants, a shrimp, a guppie, and 3 tetras. also today i picked up some realy small (3/8") fish from my friend. i dono what they are but it should go ok, she keeps them in a ten gallon herself.

 

[dapak83]

get a red terror!!!

that fish will really terrorize all other fises and proly eat the smaller ones! one crazy sucker! and very hardy, loads of personality!

 

[ric maniac]

i would get some baloon mollies. they are cool little fish, not that hard, and if you have a hair algea outbreak in your saltwater tank they are brackish and love hair algea. you just need to acclimate them into the sw tank. if you want a neat look, plant your tank very densly, however give your fish enough room to swim. And, yes you will need sinking pellets.

 

[autofreak44]

here are some pix of my tank

i would get some pix of the small ones but my crappy camera wont allow

oh well i hope you like these ones
enjoy