Talk:Stocking a 10 Gallon Tank

opinions on this page? --Cat 09:04, 28 February 2008 (CST)

Creature Suggestions
Any more ideas of anything else that could be kept in a 10g? I'm sure there's more than this! --Cat 15:31, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

Sure there is. There is all the small Tetras species for a start! --Quatermass 09:52, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

my brother has 7 neon tetras in a 20 gallon, they just look too big and too adventurous for a tiny 10 gallon, which is why I only have the embers listed here. --Cat 12:02, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

I'm sure the trade is putting growth hormones into Neons these days as my local shop sells 'jumbo neons'. I've 6 Silver tip tetras (Hasemania nana) in a 25L. They're pretty small. --Quatermass 22:44, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

Peacock Gudgeons, several Pseudomugil sp., and quite a few species of killifish would work since most of these are small and not especially active swimmers. --Aphotic Phoenix 20:05, 27 September 2008 (UTC)

I agree with cat that tetras don't really belong in a 10 gal. Especilly since they prefer to school. I have a school of 12 cardinals and they look kinda sad (in a 75 gal). I would really prefer to have at least 18 of them. But even at 4-6 cardinals at 2" each a 10 gal just isn't enough swimming room for them. And neons aren't much smaller.

What about a pair of Apistogramma borellii (or any of the other apistos)? --Tash 01:15, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

I would say no to Apistos. My brother has a pair of Cockatoos in a 20 gal bowfront, alone, and they dominate it. They would be too cramped in a 10 gal, as well as potentially being aggressive. My brother's male has started to really bully his female, they've had 2 spawns but no fry have yet made it to adulthood. --Cat 10:57, 30 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I would have to agree, the apisto would probably get aggressive as it got older in a smaller tank, but I do not really know the fish --Brian 13:44, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

Would this work in a ten gallon: 5 Norman's Lampeyes, 4 White Cloud Mt. minnows, 3 Dwarf Rasboras, 3 Emerald Dwarf rasboras, 4 Endler's Livebearers, 4-5 Venezuelan Corys, and maybe 1-2 Honey Gouramis?


 * Sadly not, you're not allowing for the right groups of shoals, really I would only recommend ONE shoal of those fish, not a mix and match. You could get away with a group of 6 of the Lampeyes OR Rasboras OR Endlers, then the group of Corys and Gouramis. --Cat 13:13, 12 November 2012 (CST)

Tank Photos
Nice well put together article (will it start a precedent?) But it needs a picture or two of the tank in question I think.

Why not ask an aquarium company for a decent sized picture to run in inside it? They are usually more than willing for the free ad. :-)

--Quatermass 15:11, 28 February 2008 (CST)

i was thinking about that, i'm not sure who to approach though, any suggestions? --Cat 15:18, 28 February 2008 (CST)

Choose a manufacturer, look up their web site and email them. It's what I do. I suggest not using a nickname with them, it's not professional. If you want a aquariumwiki email address which is forwarded to your existing email address then I can do that for you. I do this when I email them as it gives a better impression.

BTW, any reason why this page is in gallons? Why wasn't it done in International units like Litres? That way it is compatible with all countries rather than a minor of people who were taught this old unit.

People not in the USA can't buy a '10 gallon' tank for example.

This site should try to remain international in its scope. :-)

--Quatermass 15:50, 6 March 2008 (CST)

it's a 50/50 split how i hear them referred to, but this size tank i always hear referred to as a 10 gallon, by americans, and my brain only works in US gallons! --Cat 16:17, 6 March 2008 (CST)

ok. i can't find any of the big name manufacturers listing 10 gal tanks, know any?! --Cat 16:28, 6 March 2008 (CST)

No sorry, I work in litres. ;-)

--Quatermass 16:33, 6 March 2008 (CST)

nor for 37lt tanks! it's either the equivalent 5 gal/9gal/12gal/20gal, is there actually no such thing as a 10gal? --Cat 16:52, 6 March 2008 (CST)

Is because 50% of our visitors come from the US good enough :). 12.5% comes from the UK. But I support doing the site in international units. --Brian 18:22, 6 March 2008 (CST)

that and entitling the article "stocking a 37.9 litre tank" isn't as catchy! my brain cannot visualise litres no matter how hard i try. my brain is "special"...--Cat 03:35, 7 March 2008 (CST)

companies that make 10 gallon tanks: All-Glass aquariums Aqueon http://www.aqueonproducts.com/about/contact-us/ Regent for such a small size most manufacters just wholesale to petstores and places like wal mart. fwiw I have a 10 gal I could take a pic of... it is kinda ugly right now as it is set up as a q-tank.....--Tash 01:15, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

Overstocking
should there be a note on overstocking? Something about the bioload? --Tash 01:15, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

a note where? you're welcome to add one but I just assume people aren't going to overstock and use their brains. maybe I'm too assuming? --Cat 10:58, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

yeah. imo some people would gladly put 1-3 of each fish listed in a 10 gal. Of course these people might not come to the interne to find out info first so maybe people checking this page would use thier brains and not overstock? Ill add something under stocking ideas... --Tash 15:40, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

Another source
I've stocked my aquarium with 2 honey gourmis and 2 silver hatchet fish. I've been told by a top contributor on yahoo answers that these are not appropriate for a 10 gallon tank (the fish themselves not the numbers) so I'm wondering who to trust, what would make HG and SHF bad for a 10 gallon?

Research, research
I would have thought putting a few silver hatchet fish (which are fast swimming, schooling and jumping fish) in with quiet slow swimming Honey Gourami in a small tank would be a bad idea in anyones book? --Quatermass 03:58, 18 March 2011 (EDT)


 * I have to concur that you would be better rehoming the two Hatchets - Hatchets need to be in groups (5+) and both the Gouramis and Hatchets generally occupy the same area of the tank. The Gouramis with smaller bottom dwellers would be a better option. (Make sure you have a male/female pair of Gouramis, not two males). Also Silver Hatchetfish are a different species to the more suitable Pygmy Hatchetfish that could work in a 10g, Silvers are larger. FYI that "top contributor" badge merely means someone posts a lot on YA, it does not mean they give quality answers!! --Cat 06:13, 18 March 2011 (EDT)
 * Generally yes that is to much bioload for a 10G, but everyone has missed the most noteworthy option to fix the problem. Get a bigger tank :) any excuse is a good one to get another/bigger tank. --Brian 11:39, 18 March 2011 (EDT)


 * Thanks for the advice guys I'll see what I can do about rehoming. Sadly I can't get a new tank I live with my parents and they're afraid a bigger tank will fall through the floor. So it's rehoming for the lot of them.  Should I rehome my apple snails (2) too?--Inspector javert 23:03, 19 March 2011 (EDT)
 * No need, snails are generally a special class of animals. Apple snails technically only need 5 gal, two in a 10 is not a big deal and will probably be more beneficial to your water quality as they eat left-over food and waste. --Brian 08:36, 21 March 2011 (EDT)
 * Thanks again for the advice. What would you recommend I put in there it'll be at least a week before I can afford to get new fish unfortunately, and most of the fish listed on that page are hard to find, IE I can find full sized Rasbora's but not Dwarf Rasbora's, and cories are out because I have a gravel substrate.  On the subject of male or female I can't tell if the HG's gender. I really do appreciate your help I really want to get a good crop of fish in my aquarium.--Inspector javert 00:24, 22 March 2011 (EDT)
 * The majority of HG's in a store are going to be males, simply as they are the colourful ones! Females tend to be silver coloured. So you probably have two males if they look the same! Just keep an eye on them, HG's are fairly peaceful but if you notice one being bullied you may have to rehome one. As for other fish, how available these fellas are is really down to luck and decent fish stores! If you are after something colourful you could try 5 male (not female) Endlers, those are more widely available (although mostly fancy Guppy crosses). --Cat 08:56, 22 March 2011 (EDT)
 * Ah ok I don't think ones being bullied that much I'll have to watch them more closely. So it's rehoming for at least the silver hatchet fish and maybe the HG too.  Enders live bearer sounds nice, but what about male guppies? Could I put them with a Betta (after I remove the HG of course).  Thanks again for all the advice.--Inspector javert 19:17, 22 March 2011 (EDT)

Fancy Guppies tend to be a bit larger than male Endlers. And I don't recommend Fancy Guppies with male Bettas - male Bettas tend to mistake them for other Bettas and attack them. I have kept male Bettas with Endlers though and, provided the Endlers are there BEFORE the Betta is introduced, it can work out. Some Bettas are more prone to chasing and harassing tank mates than others. --Cat 08:45, 23 March 2011 (EDT)

Ok I've started over and I only have to two snails left (I do have a bit of aquarium salt in the tank because I fell for a song and dance from the lady at the store should I consider rehoming the snails or are they ok with a little aquarium salt). I can't find Ednlers anywhere I've looked so what do you think would go good with the two snails? I really do appreciate all the help.--Inspector javert 21:07, 23 March 2011 (EDT)
 * The snails don't like salt, but if you don't go nuts with it they will be fine (I think). Of everything on this list my favorite fish is the Dwarf puffer, but it would love to be homed with your snails (dinner). What do you want the tank to look like? Do you want it to be colorful, busy, or different (oddball animals)? RCS are not on the list but are one of my favorite animals. I bought a stock of 15 for my 10gal and they would breed like rabbits. I had over 200 shortly and ended up selling them on ebay (they used to be alot more expensive). If you wanna take a crack at plants, they really bring out the color of some of the brighter fish. --Brian 08:49, 24 March 2011 (EDT)


 * RCS are on the list, scroll down to inverts! --Cat 09:15, 24 March 2011 (EDT)
 * Bah sorry --Brian 09:45, 24 March 2011 (EDT)

Sadly I don't have any RCS available at the local pet stores or I would gladly have taken them. I'd prefer either a colorful or "different" tank. How would I be able to sex the dwarf puffers? And should I use instant ocean to make my tank brackish or will they be ok with the aquarium salt? *sigh* I wish I could get that 20 gallon tank but they're just too heavy. EDIT: Didn't realize the dwarf puffers were freshwater. I'm thinking of going with them. They seem like the most fun, so should I just get one or can I get a few others (if of course I can properly tell they're gender.--Inspector javert 15:46, 24 March 2011 (EDT)
 * Dwarf puffers are quite fun, they have massive eyes compared to their body size and they would always cruise around my tank thoroughly inspecting every leaf of every plant (for snails to eat). In a 10Gal I would get two + an otto or BN pleco. Their page has information on sexing the adults but I have never tried. Another good idea is to feed them ramshorn snails. They are easy to breed, just add food. Mine also accepted frozen brine shrimp. I don't remember if they ate flake for me.
 * If the weight is the only thing your parents are worried about, tell them a 20gal tank weighs less then you (probably, 160lbs) and a piece of wood can be used to spread the weight out over multiple supports. --Brian 08:05, 25 March 2011 (EDT)


 * I wouldn't put a BN Pleco in a 10g. They get large and exceptionally chunky (around 5" long, 2.5" from pectoral fin tip to pectoral fin tip) and are huge waste producers, they need over 20g, ideally over 30g! And Otos need to be in groups - they can be a bit too skittish for a 10g.--Cat 08:51, 25 March 2011 (EDT)
 * With only a dwarf puffer or two I think the bio-load would be OK for a 10g with a decent HOB filter, as for their size they do get a big but mine is going on 4 years old and still tiny. I think there is alot of variety in what is called a BN pleco. As for the otto's, plants are a must for them IMHO, the biggest issue is they come almost dead when they get to the petstore. Always pick ones with big bellies, they are small voracious algae eaters and frequently starve to death in store. And yes 2 would be required, and the max for a 10g and would need to be fed supplementary. --Brian 10:04, 25 March 2011 (EDT)
 * OK I'm going to try and get the Puffers sometime this week or next week. I got some advice on another site that I should do a 50% water change and then a 25% change in order to get rid of the salt I added (It was aquarium salt not marine salt) not sure if I should do that or not. I'm considering getting my fish online rather than from a fish store, do you have any advice for buying online? Also I think my snails are dead whats the easiest way to tell for sure? Lastly I think I asked this before so if I have I apologize but will the Dwarf Puffers eat frozen bloodworms?--Inspector javert 20:23, 25 March 2011 (EDT) Addendum: Is it safe to purchase fish from Walmart or other "Big Box" retailers or is that too risky healthwise?
 * If the tank is setup and has already been cycled then yes, a larger water change and more smaller water changes would be a good idea. If you can dedicated the time to you, do 20-25% water change daily and it will be less of a shock to the nitrifying bacteria. That will remove about 80% of the salt you added. A 50% and then a 25% change will remove about 62% of the salt and be a bit harsher on your tank. If it is going to be a bit before you add fish, make sure your keeping your bacteria alive so the tank will be able to support the bio-load of your fish when you get them. I imagine the DP will take the frozen bloodworms, mine readily accepted frozen brine shrimp. I used to take a spoon and scrape the frozen cube to feed them, they defiantly do not need an entire cube. Make sure you have somewhere to go in an 'emergency' if your fish won't take em. Many marine fish stores sell live adult brine shirmp, the DP will love them and you may also be able to get some cleaner snails from them (ramshorns are ideal, mts less so [apparently their shell is a bit hard for them] but they will eat them). I have never seen a DP at a big-box retailer, Wal-mart usually carries the figure eight puffer. Even at specialty shops Ottos have it hard. Like all stores look over their tank and if they look healthy I say go for it, frequently at places like walmart the fish look faded and there are a lot of dead fish floating around. I have only purchased fish from AquaBid, so I can't help ya there :) --Brian 08:03, 28 March 2011 (EDT)

#1 Page
I was just checking up on the stats for the site and this is the #1 page after the main page. It has the most visitors and a very low bounce rate (60-60%). This page is the result of mostly Cat's work, so I just wanted to say congrats, it really is one of the best pages on the site. --Brian 23:13, 21 March 2011 (EDT)


 * Do I get a medal? Or a trophy? Or a fish-themed Oscar type award? No? Damnit. Haha! This page gets spread around YA a lot these days which is good! Hopefully pointing people in the right direction. --Cat 08:52, 22 March 2011 (EDT)

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