Why is my sand in my 10gallon tank so dirty?

[okapizebra]

How cold does her tank get? Plecos are tropical fish but can adjust to some lower temps but not too low.

[Ryleyman]

15 c-18 c

[Cichlid-dude]

If your fish are small it doesnt mean they will be ok in a small tank. With cichlids there is aggression issues and they need a lot of swimming room. If you want to keep african cichlids i suggest getting a 4 foot tank minimum. Also the pleco if its a common needs a 125 at least to be comfortable.

[Ryleyman]

Rarely 15c

[Ryleyman]

Originally Posted by Cichlid-dude

If your fish are small it doesnt mean they will be ok in a small tank. With cichlids there is aggression issues and they need a lot of swimming room. If you want to keep african cichlids i suggest getting a 4 foot tank minimum. Also the pleco if its a common needs a 125 at least to be comfortable.

How many gallons is a 4 foot tank?

[paytertot]

Originally Posted by Cichlid-dude

If your fish are small it doesnt mean they will be ok in a small tank. With cichlids there is aggression issues and they need a lot of swimming room. If you want to keep african cichlids i suggest getting a 4 foot tank minimum. Also the pleco if its a common needs a 125 at least to be comfortable.

+1 you should stock according to the fishes adult size, not the size they are when you buy them. That's what causes aggression.

[okapizebra]

15 degrees is much too cold for plecos. That's 59 degrees in fahrenheit. I'd say no lower then 70 degrees for them. They are tropical fish.

[Jason7894561230]

A 4ft is around 55gal

[Lady_Alia]

Africans (especially the ones you've got) are super aggressive and if they've not already picked on your tropical fish, probably will. And more than likely will kill them. African cichlids are highly aggressive. Because of that aggression and their eventual size require a 4 foot tank which is 55 gallons.
Not to mention the fact that cichlids and tropical fish have different water requirements. All in all, rehome (either get rid of them or put them in a different tank) the cichlids and you'll both ( you AND the fish) will be happier.
And yes, the dirt is poo lol

[Labenator65000]

Originally Posted by Ryleyman

2 male guppies, cherry red cichlid, yellow lab cichlid, blue electric zebra cichlid, kongi cichlid, red pladie and a small Pleco but I'm only using him to clear up my tank and then I put him in my brothers tank to clear up his until I have more algae.

Cichlids don't mix with community fish very well, especially Mbuna. As well 10 gallons is too small for your cichlids.