Assistance Please

[GJ-Anderson]

This is what I have:

• Top Fin Goldfish Aquarium Starter Kit 10
  • 10 gallon black-trim Glass Aquarium
  • Incandescent hood with bulbs
  • Top Fin Power Filter with Cartridge
• Aquarium gravel (black

My exwife has a heater that she will give me if I need it or want it, but do not know what type it is but supposed to be for a 10 gallon tank.

Here is what I need

• what fish to put in.
  • I was looking at the goldfish with the black tail fin (don't know what they are called)
  • I also saw a red colored fish at the store (again, do not remember what they are called).
  • do not know what the Ph of my water is, but I do know it is heavy water (limestone). I live in Texas
  • Need compatible and as colorfull as possible
  • Good with many beginner mistakes.
• decoration ideas.
  • I am on a very tight budget.
  • I was looking at using artificial plants.
  • I have seen several very heavily decorated aquariums and am more worried about cleaning.
  • I like to keep things simple and not too busy looking.

I am looking at suggestions and ideas. I also am needing to know of any other equipment that I will be needing, (type of product, brand, model, etc..) that people have good experience with.

I was looking at different plants (artificial), and like to have green in the far back, then red(ish) and maybe others in the middle. I would like something that fish can swim through but don't want 'corny' (spelling?). Many of the decoration items looked too big for a 10 gallon aquarium or were too plastic looking.

Of course, the decorations would depend on the fish I decide to get as well.

Thanks for all the ideas (in advance).

[thatmagicguy]

The first thing you need to do is set the tank up and not be in a rush to buy fish. A 10 gallon tank is too small to maintain goldfish. I would read as much as you can about the nitrogen cycle and how it pertains to a new aquarium. And until you fully understand this material I would hold off on buying any fish.

If you are going to decorated the tank then just be sure to buy things that are made for aquarium use. Your taste and imagination will be the best guides.

But please, learn about the nitrogen cycle before you get started, no fish deserves the title of good fish for beginner mistakes.

Bill

[asudavew]

Be sure to read up on cycling your tank.
That's the most important step in keeping healthy fish.
An API liquid test kit will be an important tool to cycle your tank properly.

I saw these "goldfish" setups at Petsmart the other day.
A ten gallon tank won't be big enough for a goldfish for very long.
They are messy fish and create lots of waste.

You can do it, but stay on top of your water conditions.
I have a 10" goldfish that my son won at the carnival 8 or 9 years ago.

It started out living in a ten gallon tank.
It's in 70 gallon tank now.
And soon will be in a 165 gallon indoor pond.

Goldfish can live a long time! Some over 20 years.
And they just keep growing.

Be sure to find some threads here on cycling your tank.
And goldfish are cold water fish.
They don't need a heater, and it's probably best not to use one.

Tropical fish, on the other hand, do require heat in most cases.
Although my house temperature stays in the 70's, so I have a few tropical fish in the tank with my goldfish. And no heater.

Cycle, Cycle, Cycle!

Hope this helps.

Dave

[asudavew]

Here is a good starting point for you.

[GJ-Anderson]

Thanks for the advice about the goldfish...Every goldfish I looked at said 20 gallon or larger so wasn't sure.

I have read many different posts in this forum about the test kits...this would be the first time I did the tests myself (and the first time I tested the Ph of my water at this apartment). I have tested the Ph levels at a friend's house for his fish (he had other tests done by a pro) and I have also tested Ph at other apartments/houses that I have lived at while the Nitrite levels were always checked by someone else.

I also do appologize for the confusion. I am not rushing into getting the fish, only planning on fish to get (so not to have too many decorations and such). I am on a very tight budget and it may be a couple of months before I am ready to add water to the aquarium and even start thinking of getting fish.

Basically, I have the aquarium and now am in the planning stages of what next.

Now, since I know that goldfish would be too big for my small 10 gallon aquarium, as so long as the heater is ok, what items should I get to be good for tropical fish. And what fish can I add that will do fine in a 10 gallon? (again, I am only in the planning stage).

I would like ideas on decoration because imagination in decoration and such I am not that good in (only music and poetry...not carving, shaping, decorating, etc.. heck, I even had to get tips on decorating my apartment - and it is still very bare and basic).

So now I can say that I need to buy:

1 good testor kit to test Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate, and other levles

anything else?

[krazeeboy]

im new here too but i agree with asudavew's advice. read about the cycling process it helped me alot

[Yellow Eye Tang]

Of course when you set up the tank make sure it cycles. In my personal opinion there are lots of cool REAL plants that are cheaper to buy then the fake ones. In a small tank like that they may really impress you on the decoration they provide. The tropical fish love them, and maybe a couple of rocks / driftwood that you could find. If you find it make sure you prep it before putting it in. You'll later want to provide a cleaner fish to help clean up the bottom of the tank and algae, depending on your lighting. As far as fish go in a 10 gallon I would stick to the typical tropical / brackish type making sure you don't place anything aggressive or anything that can grow too big. They have some very good looking German Rams that don't grow too big and are very colorful.

[severum mama]

I dunno, I don't think you actually need a bottom feeder (cleaner) unless that's something that appeals to you in its own right. Your tank maintenance schedule (water changes and gravel vacs) will take care of detritus. Real plants are nice, and there are some options like anubias, java fern, java moss, and possibly cryptocorynes, that will work with a normal output light strip, which you probably have. If you don't think you want to get into real plants just yet, the artificial ones work just as well from your fishes' point of view. Driftwood can look nice, or any other decor you like (as long as it is aquarium safe)- it is just a matter of personal preference.

As far as stocking your 10 gallon, I agree that you should stay away from goldfish. However, there are plenty of other options that are really interesting to keep. You could try a betta with a group of pygmy corydoras, or a couple of snails, or (depending on betta's temperament) a group of shrimp like ghost shrimp or amano shrimp. Or, a trio of sparkling gouramis instead of the betta would be great too, if you can find them. If you don't like that idea, a group of 6 smaller tetras would work, like neons, cardinals, embers, or other tetras of similar size. Or, a group of 5-6 male guppies would work- they are very flashy and without females, can't overrun your tank with babies. Here's a different idea- I recently set up an 8 gallon tank with 2 peacock gudgeons and 5 pygmy hatchetfish. Both of those species can be difficult to find, but if you hunt around while your tank is cycling you may be able to find where to buy them. You won't be able to find them at a chain store, but you might get lucky with a locally owned shop and if not, maybe they can special order fish that you like. The fish I mentioned are all tropical and would benefit from having a heater in the tank.

Finally, I don't think that anyone here was trying to jump on you for rushing into anything. Rather, I think that people are trying to make sure that you don't get taken by the same poor advice that many (including myself) started with. I cycled with fish before I even knew what cycling was, and my fish all got sick and most died. We see that on forums quite commonly, and if you go about it the fishless way, it is much easier and a much less frustrating way to get involved in the hobby.

If you have any other questions about stocking, feel free to ask or PM anytime. Good luck!

[mgamer20o0]

come on sm come up with better fish than that.... though the gudgeons isnt bad idea at all....

ember tetra


margaritatus danio aka galaxy rasbora


Boraras merah


Pseudomugil gertrudae


i could go on but you get the hint there is lots of cool fish that will fit in a 10 gallon. since its going to take you time to set this tank up plenty of time to hunt them down.

[severum mama]

LOL... I mentioned embers already. I was trying (for the most part) to stick to suggestions that most people can find.