which fish to choose

[pisceanbliss]

I'm looking to restart a simple 10 gallon tank for a homeschooling project with my children. We had started with goldfish - thinking it would be easy but now realize the complexity of truly raising goldfish and the conditions they need - much larger than I can currently provide.

I would like variety in the tank - colors, shapes, top and bottom feeders but am seeking a 'recipe' on what an ideal set up would be.

Insight??

Availabilty is limited in my area as we are about 2 hours from the nearest substantial sized town so common fish would be a must.

I had a tank with mollies in the past but they quickly overpopulated as they kept having babies - I like them though.

[Frank_the_Tank]

zebra danios are entertaining, fast fish. I bought 2 to cycle with, and then liked them so I got 3 more so far. cory cats are good bottom feeders, if you can find pygmy cories you could keep 5 or so. There are many different varieties of tetras to choose from also. I'm sure there will be plenty of other suggestions also.

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I would agree with the cories, and perhaps 6 Serpae tetras, they are a nice red colour and like to wander to all levels of the tank. a 10 Gal limits your options, but you can still make it a nice home, try adding a couple plants aswell, anubias are nice and hardy low light plants as are Java Ferns. Head and Tailight tetras are nice, but tend to hide a lot with brighter lighting.... Glowlight tetras are nice aswell, esp. with a black background on the tank, it let's thier olive colour show well

[Apocalypse_Gold]

Tetras like more acidic water and most prefer a [acronym:5e2976b877="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:5e2976b877] of 7.0 or lower. Black skirt tetras tolerate higher [acronym:5e2976b877="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:5e2976b877]. Have your [acronym:5e2976b877="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:5e2976b877] test your tap water and buy a good test kit. Livebearers like platies and swordtails are easy to keep but one male and one female quickly becomes roughly 1 billion fish. You could get two females though.

[lyquidphyre]

Is there any reason for the 10gal? Space? Complexity? Budget?

If you have the means, I would suggest investing in a 20gal (maybe a 20 tall so the 10gal hood will still fit on top-if you have the hood already)
That would allow you with more options and the means for more of a variety of fish.

But with a 10gal you could have a few cories and maybe a school of tetras.

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Tetras like more acidic water and most prefer a [acronym:354f2aa4d5="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:354f2aa4d5] of 7.0 or lower. Black skirt tetras tolerate higher [acronym:354f2aa4d5="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:354f2aa4d5]. Have your [acronym:354f2aa4d5="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:354f2aa4d5] test your tap water and buy a good test kit.

I keep Congo, Cochu Blue, Serpae, Head&Tail light, Glow light, Neons, Xray(Pristella), Black Skirt and Diamonds in a [acronym:354f2aa4d5="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:354f2aa4d5] of 7.4, all of which are doing really well and all are tetras.

Livebearers can become a problem in any tank, Keeping 2 male swords 1 will tend to get agressive, besides I like tetras :P

I replaced my daughters 10Gal with a 16 Gal for 25$ CAD, (down there it's about 16$) and a worthy investment for the extra space..

[Frank_the_Tank]

Originally Posted by lyquidphyre

Is there any reason for the 10gal? Space? Complexity? Budget?

If you have the means, I would suggest investing in a 20gal (maybe a 20 tall so the 10gal hood will still fit on top-if you have the hood already)
That would allow you with more options and the means for more of a variety of fish.

I agree. I'm living in a dorm right now a 10 gallon is about all I could afford space for. We can have up to a 25 gallon in the room, but the 10 is currently taking up a little more than half my desk, I'd have to sit on the floor with my computer to get anything bigger. Cmon apartment....

im just saying this Welcome to AA!!!!!