crs1945
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
What kind if any shrimp would survive the following: 5gal,temp78,NH3-0, NO2-0, NO3 5-10ppm, pH8.3, GH-6, KH-9, gravel bottom. 2 guppies and one platy??? Thanks
phoenixkiller said:If you have not kept any other shrimp before, move the platy and guppies to a ten gallon and get some Red Cherry Shrimp. They are pretty easy to care for, and a blast to watch.
I know this is off topic, but...
Livebearers should be in a 20 gallon or larger tank due to their size and bio-load. Some (Like Lyndab) say that a ten gallon is sufficient. I have done that before, even kept mollies in there. One molly died less than 5 months after purchase, even though I did 50% water changes diligently, and weekly. It's just overall NOT a good idea. I do vote for a bigger tank for the platy and guppies... at least.
Yes, that is just my opinion. 10 gallons is workable, but I say it's more like you living in your room. Sure, you've got room to live and grow, but wouldn't you be much happier if you had a house, and the yard outside? That's why I say 20 gallons. Gives the fish a bit 'o "elbow room".Not all livebearers are big and have huge bioloads. A trio of guppies would be fine in a 10g, and least killifish, which are only an inch long at the most, can be in a tank less than 5gs. Mollies shouldn't have even been in a tank that small in the first place. However, if the tank was cycled with adequate filtration, it shouldn't have died. The only cause of their death that I can think of is owner irresponsibility.
phoenixkiller said:Yes, that is just my opinion. 10 gallons is workable, but I say it's more like you living in your room. Sure, you've got room to live and grow, but wouldn't you be much happier if you had a house, and the yard outside? That's why I say 20 gallons. Gives the fish a bit 'o "elbow room".
I will repeat this AGAIN: this is my opinion. Not everyone will agree. You can say that they will do great in a 10 gallon, and I will respect that, and I will say I recommend a 20 gallon.A guppy gets to be 2 inches at max. A 10g tank is 20x10. 200 square inches is plenty of swimming room. Even lots of "elbow room". You can't give a minimum tank size for ALL livebearers based on one experience you've had with a molly. There are so many different sizes and shape of them, it is not possible to come up with a minimum size tank for the whole family.
phoenixkiller said:I will repeat this AGAIN: this is my opinion. Not everyone will agree. You can say that they will do great in a 10 gallon, and I will respect that, and I will say I recommend a 20 gallon.
Nano tanks are better for nano fish, plants, and shrimp IMO. It's all just personal opinion, I'm just saying bigger is better.
If you are truly bothered by it, I will remember to add (when referring to guppies) that ten gallons is the minimum, but 20 gallons is better.OK. My point was that bigger is better, but not needed if it's guppies or other small livebearers. I understand that it is your opinion. My issue was that you are trying to use a catch all rule for all livebearers, which is inaccurate and unnecessary.
It really doesn't matter. The guppy or guppies will be happy either way as long as their tank is cycled, correctly maintained, and has enough filtration.phoenixkiller said:If you are truly bothered by it, I will remember to add (when referring to guppies) that ten gallons is the minimum, but 20 gallons is better.