Hi! I'm a newbie to AA and fishkeeping

[ma2oo]

My name is Matthew. I had a small betta in a five gallon as a kid, but nothing else other than that. So....I am very unexperienced and want to learn more on how to make my tank perfect. I currently have a ten gallon tank with an aquaclear 20 filter, eheim jager 50 watt heater, whisper 10 air pump, and 15 watt ultra sun bulb in an aqueon deluxe hood. My substrate is black tahitian moon sand. The current fish I have are 10 penguin tetras, 2 sterbai corydoras, and 2 albino corydoras. Also, I have several live plants which seem to have a thin brown coating of slime. My decorations are a piece of driftwood and tiny mountain thing.

[shellyx]

Hi Matthew, welcome to the forum

[ma2oo]

Does anybody know if my tank is okay for an otocinclus? Also, should I upgrade my filtration system, because my nitrates are like 80ppm and I do water changes every week.

[cgthebeast]

Originally Posted by ma2oo

Does anybody know if my tank is okay for an otocinclus? Also, should I upgrade my filtration system, because my nitrates are like 80ppm and I do water changes every week.

I would upgrade the tank, it's way over stocked for a 10g. I wouldn't add anything else. ALsoI welcome to AA. Your equipment an such are in the right order, but never do more then 5 tetras in a 10g

[Algebra309]

First thing you need to know: rule of thumb is 1 gallon per inch of fish. Sounds like you might have too many fish already.

[Oohitsae]

Welcome!


Like the PP said, you are wayy too overstocked. You should think about upgrading to at least a 20 with your current stock before adding anything new.
Even with having double filtration you're still going to have to do massive weekly water changes to keep nitrates under control unless you upgrade or cut the stock to at least 1/2.
Penguin tetras and oto's should have something bigger anyways. The penguins are very active fish and the oto's are schoolers and most won't eat prepared food so if your tank isn't established and able to support a large amount of algae they will likely not survive

[cgthebeast]

Originally Posted by Algebra309

First thing you need to know: rule of thumb is 1 gallon per inch of fish. Sounds like you might have too many fish already.

That's way old school an not always true haha, a 10in Oscar in a 10g lol I think not :p

[ma2oo]

Would you recommend jumping to a 30 gallon? And how do I move all my stuff from the ten to the new tank?

[cgthebeast]

Originally Posted by ma2oo

Would you recommend jumping to a 30 gallon? And how do I move all my stuff from the ten to the new tank?

Yep, a 30 would be great. First you remove the filter pads ect, from filter and place in bags filled with tank water. Then removed all the decorations and equipment. Place the secs in a tub full of tank to keep whatever BB is on the alive. I set up the filter, heater ect in the tub and catch my fish an place them
In there also. Do you wanna use the same substrate. I would just rinse it very well in a bucket then add it to the new tank

[ma2oo]

I will probably get a new substrate (probably a tan sand). Also do you have any recommendations for low cost, but good quality 30g aquarium kits?
This is a picture of my current 10g

[cgthebeast]

Originally Posted by ma2oo

I will probably get a new substrate (probably a tan sand). Also do you have any recommendations for low cost, but good quality 30g aquarium kits?
This is a picture of my current 10g

Looks good. There might be a deal at petco and such, mabye Craigslist

[ma2oo]

Any particular brands? Also, I need good lighting for my plants.

[Algebra309]

Amazon has good deals on aquarium sand. Patsmart is overpriced on everything, so don't go there.

[cgthebeast]

I use plays sand, you can also use pool filter sand, it's cheeper the aquarium substrate

[ma2oo]

Can you put a layer of plant substrate below the sand?

[cgthebeast]

Originally Posted by ma2oo

Can you put a layer of plant substrate below the sand?

Yep, it acts as a cap to keep it from floating up

[ma2oo]

Also, can I move all my live plants to the new aquarium. Btw thanks for all the help and good advice. I really appreciate it.

[cgthebeast]

Originally Posted by ma2oo

Also, can I move all my live plants to the new aquarium. Btw thanks for all the help and good advice. I really appreciate it.

No prob, an yep, just be careful with the roots on them

[ma2oo]

Are aqueon aquariums good and recommended?

Right now I'm looking at this tank because it includes a lot. Not exactly 30g tho.

http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...AvailInUS%2FNo

[cgthebeast]

Looks good