Easiest Fish to Keep - new 55 Gal

[ejaramillo01]

How can it be done quickly?

With the Phyton and commitment, I can change 40% of my tank water (100 G) in 15 to 20 minutes by myself.
Buckets is the worst nightmare in my experience, there is always be splashes no matter how careful you are.

 

[phoenixkiller]

Depends. I have been using a 5-gallon bucket for emptying 50% of my 10-gallon-tank water each week, and no spills...

 

[FishGeek97]

You empty 50% of your tank a week? that's alot, are you sure your not stressing your fish? I never do 25% like they say, i ussually do 30-35% of a water vhange, and that does it for me. 50%....that's way too much!

 

[phoenixkiller]

Ummm... It's the only reason my fish are still alive...

 

[Gboy66]

You empty 50% of your tank a week? that's alot, are you sure your not stressing your fish? I never do 25% like they say, i ussually do 30-35% of a water vhange, and that does it for me. 50%....that's way too much!

Oh no way man. People do 70% water changes sometimes. The fish actually appreciate the new water.

It would be stressful for the fish if you werent smoothe while doing this, bumping everything around, taking forever lol. If you can easily and quickly do so, the more % the better.

In fact, i have heard of 100% water changes on discus tanks...

 

[phoenixkiller]

Same here. It's a little bit dangerous, but I have heard it happen.

Ok, what is a good stock for a 10-gallon tank? Right now, I have 2 baby Red Wag Platys and 3 Neon Tetras. Can I put 3 more Neons in the tank? Also, what is a good water change schedule for this number of fish?

 

[phoenixkiller]

Anyone?

 

[Gboy66]

Anyone?

Id say thats good. Same thing, 40% a week

 

[ejaramillo01]

Anyone?

The amount of nitrates will give you an idea of the required frequency, but IMO , weekly is a must no matter what.

 

[siva]

You empty 50% of your tank a week? that's alot, are you sure your not stressing your fish? I never do 25% like they say, i ussually do 30-35% of a water vhange, and that does it for me. 50%....that's way too much!

I'm not sure who "they" are, but I completely disagree with them. I do 50% a week on almost all of my tanks. If the tank runs a significantly less pH than the water from the tap is the only time I change out less.

Same here. It's a little bit dangerous, but I have heard it happen.

Ok, what is a good stock for a 10-gallon tank? Right now, I have 2 baby Red Wag Platys and 3 Neon Tetras. Can I put 3 more Neons in the tank? Also, what is a good water change schedule for this number of fish?

Yes, add 3 more neons so you have a school. In a heavily planted tank you could do smaller water changes if you wish, but in general, I go for about 50%. Hopefully those two baby platties will end up being the same sex so you don't get overrun with babies from them. Platties have a decent bio-load so you don't want too many of them in there.

 

[bs6749]

Many Asian discus hatcheries run 90% water changes 2 times per day. There really isn't such a thing as changing too much water. Ideally, a continuous water change system would be the best way to keep fish, but the cost is what prevents most people from doing such a setup.

 

[phoenixkiller]

I'm not sure who "they" are, but I completely disagree with them. I do 50% a week on almost all of my tanks. If the tank runs a significantly less pH than the water from the tap is the only time I change out less.


Yes, add 3 more neons so you have a school. In a heavily planted tank you could do smaller water changes if you wish, but in general, I go for about 50%. Hopefully those two baby platties will end up being the same sex so you don't get overrun with babies from them. Platties have a decent bio-load so you don't want too many of them in there.

Ok, so with 2 platies and 6 neon tetras, I should do a 50% weekly and that will keep the nitrates down??

 

[Gboy66]

Ok, so with 2 platies and 6 neon tetras, I should do a 50% weekly and that will keep the nitrates down??

Definitly. You have a bit more room IMO

 

[phoenixkiller]

Alright thank you all so much!

 

[siva]

Well keep an eye on the nitrates still, but it should. In a planted tank nitrates may never even reach dangerous levels, but the more fresh water, the better.

 

[phoenixkiller]

What are some small, hardy plants that can keep nitrates down in a 10 gallon tank? And how do you take care of them?

 

[kdpuffer]

I would suggest java fern, its easy to keep. I have jungle Val and it grows quick and easy, can grow tall so it would need trimming. I also have barteri eyes and it's a nice looking little plant that is supposedly low light, it would do well in a small tank as its a short growing plant. You can also do moss, java moss, Christmas moss, and flame moss are easy to come by and easy to take care of.

 

[phoenixkiller]

Do they need fertilizer and all that expensive junk??

 

[kdpuffer]

I just give them liquid fert when I remember, honestly haven't given any in the last month. Just have to provide decent light, doesn't need to be a fancy expensive light fixture just the proper bulbs to fit your current light/canopy. You want 6500k or more and shoot for something around 12 watts, I believe you said this is for your ten gallon. Adding fertilizer will help growth and isn't that much to buy and will last a long time dosing a 10g. Once there are fish in the tank then in my opinion you don't have to dose ferts as much as the fish waste (nitrates) are consumed by the plants in some capacity. Water changes still have to be done.

 

[Gawang]

Plants dont really affect nitrates until they're takin up about 65% of the tank FYI.