ianeberle
Aquarium Advice Freak
I recently set up a planted 10 gallon tank that I plan to put red cherry shrimp and oto catfish in. The tank has been cycling for about 2 weeks now using an AquaClear 20 filter set on a lower setting (to be more suitable for a 10 gallon). I currently have a large piece of driftwood, about four rather sizable plants, a marimo moss ball (transferred from my established tank to assist cycling) and an HC carpet in the making. I also have Java moss growing slowly on the driftwood.
I have two 14w CFL bulbs rated at 5000k in there right now. I am also planning on adding DIY CO2 as soon as my diffuser arrives that I ordered from eBay.
The only living animals in my tank right now are about four Malaysian trumpet snails that I also added from my established tank last night.
I tested my water last night and had a pH of 7.6, ammonia of 0ppm, nitrate no2 of 1.0 ppm, and nitrates no3 around 5 ppm. I know that no2 nitrates appear in brand new tanks and my plants are lowering the levels every day.
Basically my questions are as follows:
1. How much longer should I allow my tank to cycle before adding otos and / or shrimp?
2. Should I add otos or shrimp first?
3. What is a good temperature to keep the tank at that will get the shrimp to breed but keep the otos happy at the same time?
4. Is there anything else I should know before diving into this? I don't want to get shrimp just to have them die instantly... I want to make sure everything is perfect first.
In case you were wondering, I was planning on getting the catfish from my LFS and allowing them in the tank for about a week or two before ordering the shrimp on Aqua Bid or eBay. Not sure if this is the best method, but you can let me know.
Thanks!
I have two 14w CFL bulbs rated at 5000k in there right now. I am also planning on adding DIY CO2 as soon as my diffuser arrives that I ordered from eBay.
The only living animals in my tank right now are about four Malaysian trumpet snails that I also added from my established tank last night.
I tested my water last night and had a pH of 7.6, ammonia of 0ppm, nitrate no2 of 1.0 ppm, and nitrates no3 around 5 ppm. I know that no2 nitrates appear in brand new tanks and my plants are lowering the levels every day.
Basically my questions are as follows:
1. How much longer should I allow my tank to cycle before adding otos and / or shrimp?
2. Should I add otos or shrimp first?
3. What is a good temperature to keep the tank at that will get the shrimp to breed but keep the otos happy at the same time?
4. Is there anything else I should know before diving into this? I don't want to get shrimp just to have them die instantly... I want to make sure everything is perfect first.
In case you were wondering, I was planning on getting the catfish from my LFS and allowing them in the tank for about a week or two before ordering the shrimp on Aqua Bid or eBay. Not sure if this is the best method, but you can let me know.
Thanks!
