My main concern and question is should I be concerned that my aquarium is overstocked? Any other advice and constructive criticism is appreciated as well.
I am newer to hobby, I got a 10 gallon with 1 or 2 plants about a year ago with a Betta and 2 albino Cory's and 2 nerite snails when I first started before doing any research, I know now that wasn't a good idea. After I got that setup I immediately started doing research on bettas, Cory's, and nerites trying to offer them the best life. Found out Cory's need to be in schools so went out and got 3 more. Also then got into the heavily planted aquarium side of YouTube and loved that. So now fast forward to today and I have the tank heavily planted with bunch of different things and still 1 Betta, 5 albino Cory's, and 2 nerite snails. My water parameters always test good as far as 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 5ppm or less of nitrates every weekend when I do a 20 to 30% water change. Betta looks happy and healthy from my knowledge and loves the red root floaters and red tiger leaves. My Cory's seem happy and healthy to my knowledge as well, they are always scavenging around and on the move looking for food. I have driftwood with moss attached to it as hiding places as I've read that coverage and hiding areas is good for them and keep them more comfortable.
As far as watching my fish in the aquarium, them seeming happy and healthy and my water always testing good, I would believe my tank is ok and not overstocked. But when searching online to try and get a definitive answer I can't seem to find much for research on how to know if your tank is overstocked? My main concern is I always see minimum tank size for Cory's is 10 gallon, but with them needing a group of them do I have too many? Or as long as they seem happy and healthy and my water tests good is everything ok and I could possibly add 1 more albino Cory so they could have a little bigger group of 6?
I currently live in an apartment and don't have much space to add another tank, but if it is a big deal and too overstocked, I might possibly be able to switch out the 10 gallon for a 20 gallon, but would prefer not to for now until I buy a house if it's not that big a deal and tank is not overstocked.
Also if it matters and affects the answer, I have a Forza 5-15 size filter with adjustable flow that I have adjusted pretty low for my Betta on one side of the tank with a pre intake filter sponge from aquarium co op on the intake, and I took out filter media that comes with filter and put sponge filter in there. On other side of tank I have an adjustable air stone for them that I have adjusted fairly low as well to not push my Betta around.
Tank seems happy and healthy to me, just want to make sure some more experienced people don't think my tank is overstocked, or possibly could stock it a little more with adding another Cory to group?
Any advice appreciated.
Also forgot to mention I have a heater of course, water stays about 78.5 degrees
I am newer to hobby, I got a 10 gallon with 1 or 2 plants about a year ago with a Betta and 2 albino Cory's and 2 nerite snails when I first started before doing any research, I know now that wasn't a good idea. After I got that setup I immediately started doing research on bettas, Cory's, and nerites trying to offer them the best life. Found out Cory's need to be in schools so went out and got 3 more. Also then got into the heavily planted aquarium side of YouTube and loved that. So now fast forward to today and I have the tank heavily planted with bunch of different things and still 1 Betta, 5 albino Cory's, and 2 nerite snails. My water parameters always test good as far as 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 5ppm or less of nitrates every weekend when I do a 20 to 30% water change. Betta looks happy and healthy from my knowledge and loves the red root floaters and red tiger leaves. My Cory's seem happy and healthy to my knowledge as well, they are always scavenging around and on the move looking for food. I have driftwood with moss attached to it as hiding places as I've read that coverage and hiding areas is good for them and keep them more comfortable.
As far as watching my fish in the aquarium, them seeming happy and healthy and my water always testing good, I would believe my tank is ok and not overstocked. But when searching online to try and get a definitive answer I can't seem to find much for research on how to know if your tank is overstocked? My main concern is I always see minimum tank size for Cory's is 10 gallon, but with them needing a group of them do I have too many? Or as long as they seem happy and healthy and my water tests good is everything ok and I could possibly add 1 more albino Cory so they could have a little bigger group of 6?
I currently live in an apartment and don't have much space to add another tank, but if it is a big deal and too overstocked, I might possibly be able to switch out the 10 gallon for a 20 gallon, but would prefer not to for now until I buy a house if it's not that big a deal and tank is not overstocked.
Also if it matters and affects the answer, I have a Forza 5-15 size filter with adjustable flow that I have adjusted pretty low for my Betta on one side of the tank with a pre intake filter sponge from aquarium co op on the intake, and I took out filter media that comes with filter and put sponge filter in there. On other side of tank I have an adjustable air stone for them that I have adjusted fairly low as well to not push my Betta around.
Tank seems happy and healthy to me, just want to make sure some more experienced people don't think my tank is overstocked, or possibly could stock it a little more with adding another Cory to group?
Any advice appreciated.
Also forgot to mention I have a heater of course, water stays about 78.5 degrees