JRagg
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Well since I have now kicked my latest addiction (World of Warcraft) I need something to focus my energy on once again. I have always loved aquariums and taking care of them. I used to keep fish, but after a bout with some sort of fungus (killed 17 of 22) and then having to move and sell my 45 gallon tank (would have cost more to move it than it was worth) I have not kept fish in the last 9 months.
I still have my old 10 gallon aquarium, and due to financial constraints right now (getting married in September) I can't really go buy the 55 gallon that I want. I hope that by this time next year I will be able to upgrade to something larger. I have always wanted to keep cichlids, and I got a little bored with the standard tropical aquarium (though my clown loaches were always my favorites). In any case, I’m looking to get the 10 gallon set up again. I am perfectly fine with picking up a more difficult fish to keep since I have spent over two years taking care of a community tank (pretty easy).
I know that 10 gallons is far too small for the average cichlid, and that I need to get something smaller. Right now I’ve got my heart set on some German Blue Rams. I know they may be difficult to find, but I’m sure I can find some somewhere eventually. I have no problem having a tank with no fish in it (while waiting for the ones that I want). So my question(s) is(are) this: What do I need in order to keep these little fellas?
What I have so far is this:
10 gallon (wal-mart) aquarium
Penguin filter w/ biowheel (the smallest one they make)
Some plastic plants (want to replace with live for the GBRs)
Horrible substrate (Almost looks like pea gravel, and will replace with whatever is needed)
Pretty bad heater (will probably replace with something that has a temperature setpoint option)
What I think I need (this is where I need help):
Plants… I have no idea what kind I should look for
Substrate… not sure what is the best for the plants, though I got some ideas in the planted forum
New lighting… is new lighting required for plants? Special bulbs, etc.
Test kit… for the original cycle and subsequent care
Fish!
I’m guessing that 2-3 rams will be the max that this tank can handle. I would prefer having 3 instead of 2, but if 2 is the limit then so be it.
What other advice do I need to take care of these guys? pH requirements, etc.
Is this a bad idea? Can I keep rams in such a small tank? I know that larger tanks allow for easier chemistry control, but as I have stated that simply is not an option right now. I’m on a very tight budget.
This tank will probably stick around (as a QT) even after I have the 55 gallon that I’ve been eyeing for so long.
Any and all advice is appreciated… even if it is full of “Don’t do that!” replies.
Thanks,
Jeff
I still have my old 10 gallon aquarium, and due to financial constraints right now (getting married in September) I can't really go buy the 55 gallon that I want. I hope that by this time next year I will be able to upgrade to something larger. I have always wanted to keep cichlids, and I got a little bored with the standard tropical aquarium (though my clown loaches were always my favorites). In any case, I’m looking to get the 10 gallon set up again. I am perfectly fine with picking up a more difficult fish to keep since I have spent over two years taking care of a community tank (pretty easy).
I know that 10 gallons is far too small for the average cichlid, and that I need to get something smaller. Right now I’ve got my heart set on some German Blue Rams. I know they may be difficult to find, but I’m sure I can find some somewhere eventually. I have no problem having a tank with no fish in it (while waiting for the ones that I want). So my question(s) is(are) this: What do I need in order to keep these little fellas?
What I have so far is this:
10 gallon (wal-mart) aquarium
Penguin filter w/ biowheel (the smallest one they make)
Some plastic plants (want to replace with live for the GBRs)
Horrible substrate (Almost looks like pea gravel, and will replace with whatever is needed)
Pretty bad heater (will probably replace with something that has a temperature setpoint option)
What I think I need (this is where I need help):
Plants… I have no idea what kind I should look for
Substrate… not sure what is the best for the plants, though I got some ideas in the planted forum
New lighting… is new lighting required for plants? Special bulbs, etc.
Test kit… for the original cycle and subsequent care
Fish!
I’m guessing that 2-3 rams will be the max that this tank can handle. I would prefer having 3 instead of 2, but if 2 is the limit then so be it.
What other advice do I need to take care of these guys? pH requirements, etc.
Is this a bad idea? Can I keep rams in such a small tank? I know that larger tanks allow for easier chemistry control, but as I have stated that simply is not an option right now. I’m on a very tight budget.
This tank will probably stick around (as a QT) even after I have the 55 gallon that I’ve been eyeing for so long.
Any and all advice is appreciated… even if it is full of “Don’t do that!” replies.
Thanks,
Jeff