[ShadeSlayer]

Hi guys! :wave:

I have a few questions for ya’ll.

1....On tank cleaning. i have a ten gallon planted with mostly fake plants with the exception of one moss ball. Today I took out the fish in there (One betta and four pygmy cories) and tried to vacuum it. Took about three gallons out. Still could see a lot of debris in there floating around. is there no way to get it 1000% clean without a 100% water change? I’m a neat freak and dirty tanks drive me banana-balls. :shock:

2....Options! Right now I have two guppies in my old 3.5 that are getting the salt treatment. I have options with them. I can either not get anymore and let them live their lives in the 3, buy a five gallon and get one-tow more females, ect.

3....On cories. I plan on getting three-four more cories (Pygmy). Thoughts on that?


Thanks guys!!!

 

[Mousie]

Hi guys! :wave:

I have a few questions for ya’ll.

1....On tank cleaning. i have a ten gallon planted with mostly fake plants with the exception of one moss ball. Today I took out the fish in there (One betta and four pygmy cories) and tried to vacuum it. Took about three gallons out. Still could see a lot of debris in there floating around. is there no way to get it 1000% clean without a 100% water change? I’m a neat freak and dirty tanks drive me banana-balls. :shock:

Do not remove fish from the tank when you do a water change. Ever. You should never need to perform a 100% water change unless you are disinfecting the tank. A 10 gallon tank with the fish you have in there should only need a 45% water change once a week, provided the tank is cycled. If the tank is not cycled then a 50% water change every other day until the tank is cycled.

2....Options! Right now I have two guppies in my old 3.5 that are getting the salt treatment. I have options with them. I can either not get anymore and let them live their lives in the 3, buy a five gallon and get one-tow more females, ect.

Guppies need to be in a minimum 10 gallon tank, even if you're not getting any more.

3....On cories. I plan on getting three-four more cories (Pygmy). Thoughts on that?

That should be fine in your current 10 gallon set up (1 female betta, 8 pygmy cory, and 2 guppy is about all you can fit in there). Hopefully the betta you have in there is female and not male (males have to be by themselves).

 

[ShadeSlayer]

My betta is actually a male. Its a common misconception that males can’t be in community tanks. It really just depends on the male. Mine is mellow and actually enjoys watching he cories, especially. he’s never attacked or nipped anyone and is really sweet about them. He even shares food with them, which surprised me. Yes, it is true that some, even most males can get really aggressive in community tanks, but I’ve lucked out so far.
Thank you for you feedback, though!

 

[Dalloway]

1. I too do not recommend removing the fish. There are exceptions of course like I HAVE to cup one of my Betta when water change day includes plant trimming because if I don't I nearly trim off parts of my curious litle buddy. However, for just regular maintenance, there is no reason to remove the fish. It creates much more stress on them than hiding out in a corner of the tank while you your thing.
With Corydoras, though you want to properly vacuum the gravel so there's minimum amounts of mulm and detritus left behind to maintain the health of their whiskers, you don't want to ever over clean. A stable environment is important and 100% cleanings are detrimental to the overall system of your aquarium. What are you using for vacuuming? In such a small tank I find that the most effective method of gravel vacuum is something with a smaller nozzle like a turkey baster. What I do when there's a lot of mulm from neglect (hehe, school, it's been happening a bit) is focus on a half of the gravel every week so I'll do one side of the tank really well one Sunday then the other side the next week.

2. I agree on a 10 minimum for guppy. They do need a lot of space for swim room due to activity level. I would personally not put females and males together in such a small space though (nor buy more females as they may come pregnant) unless you're prepared to deal with fry.

3. I would say 2 more max. From personal experience Corydoras are really really active. I have 3 Panda Corydoras fry growing out in a 29 gallon and I feel like they're cramped. They give me a headache sometimes, they're all over the place. So my opinion is to stick with the minimum number (5/6) for a shoal of pygmy in a 10.

C: My smaller male is pretty mellow too. Though he ate the antenna off my pond snail the other day -_-.

 

[ShadeSlayer]

Thanks a bunch for your feedback! I’ve always thought I was supposed to take fish out to avoid bugging them... o.o h well, you learn something everyday! I have been planning on buying two more corys so that would keep my shoal at six, which sounds perfect...
Yeah I totally agree on a ten for my guppies, too. I’m doing the bets I can for my two remaining...I feel bad that they don’t have a ton of space, but its what i have to work with. I’m keeping up with the water changes, though, so I feel like they’re okay, just dealing with cooler water until I can get my new heater. I want to get a few elnders to keep them company, but I feel like thats pushing it for that tank. The good news for them is I’m getting coral substrate for them, so better water!
Thats nuts that your betta ate off an antenna...sounds like a yummy snack!
................Not.

 

[NickAu]

I HAVE to cup one of my Betta when water change day includes plant trimming because if I don't I nearly trim off parts of my curious litle buddy. However, for just regular maintenance, there is no reason to remove the fish. It creates much more stress on them

With time and patience you can train your betta to swim into a cup when you need to cup it, Use food rewards, I can actually pick my Betta up in the palm of my hand, Ever had a Kuhli Loach sit in the palm of your hand eating dinner, I did just the other day.

I HAVE to cup one of my Betta when water change day includes plant trimming because if I don't I nearly trim off parts of my curious litle buddy.

Me too, My Female loves to play flare and nip masters fingers then swim away fast and hide, then pop up in another part of the tank and repeat the process, and god forbid I put stainless scissors in the tank.

Its a common misconception that males can’t be in community tanks. It really just depends on the male.

Yes it depends on the individual fish

I had 15 Hengeli rasboras ( the Rasboras were in the tank before i got the betta ) in the tank with my female for several weeks and for a while she was fascinated by them, and then 1 day she snapped, she killed 2 and was stalking another one, I had to re home them.

Thats nuts that your betta ate off an antenna...sounds like a yummy snack!

Luckily antenna grow back, Just ask my mystery snails.

 

[Strawberry12]

Hopefully the betta you have in there is female and not male (males have to be by themselves).

Well that's silly, males can do just as well in community tanks as females. In fact, my female is more aggressive than both my males put together.

 

[ShadeSlayer]

Yeah my friend had a female in his tank with some cories, and his female was about to eat them. she was kinda nuts. Now she lives by herslef in a five gallon, both the coires and the girl and much happier. Its one of those things were some of them love friends and some loath them..Its a grab bag!

 

[Dalloway]

@ShadeSlayer
C: You're welcome. Thank you for taking it~

Ah no, I understand space and money constraints well, trust me. College is killing me. I've had to upgrade my tanks sooner than expected just so I could keep the water maintenance to monthly at least. I still do trimmings and stuff weekly when I can but when midterms and finals and projects and all the unnecessary long lab write-ups pile up I need to just take a step back and not worry lol.

Ah I'm not a fan of livebearers so I can't give advice on Endlers. I've had a guppy before but he was a gift and the three others I got for company with him were my only experience with any livebearers. But if your water is soft they will definitely appreciate crushed corals. I use Seachem's Equlibrium
and Buffer powders as well because my tap is super soft and neutral pH. The Guppy I had definitely started looking happier and more active when I gradually introduced them to harder water.

I think he's punishing me because I've had to adjust feeding time and I've been home less so he's bored more lol.

With time and patience you can train your betta to swim into a cup when you need to cup it, Use food rewards, I can actually pick my Betta up in the palm of my hand, Ever had a Kuhli Loach sit in the palm of your hand eating dinner, I did just the other day.

Me too, My Female loves to play flare and nip masters fingers then swim away fast and hide, then pop up in another part of the tank and repeat the process, and god forbid I put stainless scissors in the tank.

...

Luckily antenna grow back, Just ask my mystery snails.

Ah, he's actually pretty calm about that. He doesn't like the specimen container coming towards him but I guide him with my hand. He doesn't mind my hand cupping him up (as you can see in my picture . It's the same Betta). Inside the container I do squirt in some daphnia to keep him entertained hunting for the little specks lol. I use pipettes for feeding too so I can usually get all my fish to follow that. It's just trimming that makes me nervous since he's not afraid of anything.

;~; It did grow back but there's a slight size difference lol. Sarge looks funny now the poor thing (Yes, I name my "pest" snails).

 

[ShadeSlayer]

I have a big dresser that I could have a twenty long on, but now my mom’s talking about a goldfish/zebra danio tank on her kitchen counter...Seems I’m stuck with a ten, for now. Don’t even get me started on money, either. It seems like fish stuff is over-priced, to me. EVERYTHING is $5-$10 bucks, even fake plants add up. It drives me nuts. And with school, Im in the same boat. Too. Busy. But I love fish, so I’ll make time for what matters. :0)
Livebearers are losing their shine for me due to how fats they die. I’m a fan of long-lasting fish. I’m going to try having a small tank for probably just male endlers and see how that goes. I’ll add the coral (Getting some tuesday!!) and see how the guppies like it.. Also getting my new heater for winter, so the guppies get the old one. It’ll work fine for their tank.
I never actually knew that taking fish out was bad. I’m always paranoid that my cories and going to get hurt when I clean the plants and mountains.
My betta is pretty fearless, or at least he was. He used to swim around as fast as he could some times, then beg for food, as if he was showing off. Especially when new people come over, then he really gets happy. After his illnesses his mellowed down to the point of just hanging out. he spends most of his time of his lily-bed (Conveniently under the feeding door) or following the corys back and forth. He’s memorized by them, its the cutest thing.

 

[NickAu]

but now my mom’s talking about a goldfish/zebra danio tank on her

Gold fish in a small tank?

 

[Dalloway]

@ShadeSlayer
I'm concerned about that stock your mom wants too actually. Both my previous Black Moors grew big enough to no longer fit the two comfortably in a 30 gallon. The danio too need a large/long tank because they're really active, at least the 20 long (and most goldfish may at one point or another chow down on anything they can catch and fit in their mouth).

Ah as much as I love my fish and would do anything for them same as my dog, I need to keep up with my classes. Unfortunately my major does not leave me with any more "me" time than a few hours a month. And as I type this I realize I'm currently procrastinating on typing a lab report lol. And I feel you on pricing. I know I should sell some plants to at least help cover the costs of yearly food replacements but I just never have the time to make a thread and then get to packing things ;~;.

Ah really? My cories do an excellent job of rushing off to the tank corner in mock terror when I pop by then completely ignoring my presence and coming up to the front during feeding time lol. They're very dramatic fish . They're really good at getting out of the way, I wouldn't worry much. I personally am awed you catch them every time. My cory are about 3 cm now and I'll be moving them soon but I have no idea if I can actually cup them without draining the tank first which will be a chore since it's on the floor and I can't syphon up water lol. I did not plan this..
But yes, handling and moving fish is generally one of the more stressful aspects of the hobby to the fish. While both my current males are rather calm in temperament, one goes on a flaring spree and the other one tries to do suicide leaps (he almost succeeded his first day with me too) when cupped haha... Fish can be weird.

Ah my dog had a change like that too. He got poisoned once and he became more attached to my mom permanently. XD on another tangent note my gram mellowed out too after recuperating. Which is why I say fish are like little finned people lol.

 

[Mousie]

my mom’s talking about a goldfish/zebra danio tank on her kitchen counter

Goldfish are supposed to be placed in an outdoor pond, but technically you can put them in a tank. That means the aquarist has to be responsible enough to place them in an appropriately sized tank. Most people get fancies so let's go by that; 20 gallons for 1 goldfish, and an additional 10 gallons per goldfish added. So if you have 3 goldfish then the tank size would have to be 50 gallons.

I don't know of any other fish that has those tank size per fish requirements, but those are the general rules for them.

 

[Dalloway]

Goldfish are supposed to be placed in an outdoor pond, but technically you can put them in a tank.

I would say definitely for common/comet/fantail goldfish but fancy goldfish are really much too fragile for an outdoor pond in my opinion. From the fact they do not swim well and cannot escape predation easily to their more delicate anatomy and physiology which makes them more susceptible to physical injuries and illnesses due to the morphed shape; fancy goldfish really should not be kept in ponds.

 

[meeree]

Don't stress yourself over making your gravel 100% clean. Remember that nature in its perfection has dirty gravel too You should get a couple of ghost shrimp to skitter around and clean up after feedings. like under 50 cent each

 

[ShadeSlayer]

@ShadeSlayer
I'm concerned about that stock your mom wants too actually. Both my previous Black Moors grew big enough to no longer fit the two comfortably in a 30 gallon. The danio too need a large/long tank because they're really active, at least the 20 long (and most goldfish may at one point or another chow down on anything they can catch and fit in their mouth).

Ah as much as I love my fish and would do anything for them same as my dog, I need to keep up with my classes. Unfortunately my major does not leave me with any more "me" time than a few hours a month. And as I type this I realize I'm currently procrastinating on typing a lab report lol. And I feel you on pricing. I know I should sell some plants to at least help cover the costs of yearly food replacements but I just never have the time to make a thread and then get to packing things ;~;.

Ah really? My cories do an excellent job of rushing off to the tank corner in mock terror when I pop by then completely ignoring my presence and coming up to the front during feeding time lol. They're very dramatic fish . They're really good at getting out of the way, I wouldn't worry much. I personally am awed you catch them every time. My cory are about 3 cm now and I'll be moving them soon but I have no idea if I can actually cup them without draining the tank first which will be a chore since it's on the floor and I can't syphon up water lol. I did not plan this..
But yes, handling and moving fish is generally one of the more stressful aspects of the hobby to the fish. While both my current males are rather calm in temperament, one goes on a flaring spree and the other one tries to do suicide leaps (he almost succeeded his first day with me too) when cupped haha... Fish can be weird.

Ah my dog had a change like that too. He got poisoned once and he became more attached to my mom permanently. XD on another tangent note my gram mellowed out too after recuperating. Which is why I say fish are like little finned people lol.

I’ve talked to her about it and she agreed to just one or two fancies. Afterwards if she wants the danios she’ll get another tank, I guess. On the betta deal she’s letting that go as I’m getting another one soon for my old 3.5 gallon. I’m stoked about it!!!

My cories are actually pretty friendly, but when it would take me a half-hour to catch all four. It was a chore....

I’m slaving around the house to earn extra cash right now... Not fun. I need a new heater, a internal filter for my 3.5, plants, actually fish (About thirty bucks for the actually fish, I’m afraid) etc, etc... My aunt gave me birthday money but wants me to buys a bunch of name-brand jeans that won’t fit in a month...XD Gonna buy art supplies instead, and use the rest for fish stuff.

 

[ShadeSlayer]

Don't stress yourself over making your gravel 100% clean. Remember that nature in its perfection has dirty gravel too You should get a couple of ghost shrimp to skitter around and clean up after feedings. like under 50 cent each

I should, but I have this thing aout shrimp. They creep me out a bit...LOL
I love the betta in you pic!! Is it yours??

 

[meeree]

I should, but I have this thing aout shrimp. They creep me out a bit...LOL
I love the betta in you pic!! Is it yours??

They're really invisible, in my case I put them in and don't see them again until they die
Yes he is mine, his name is Pepe.

 

[SplashyBetta]

I would say definitely for common/comet/fantail goldfish but fancy goldfish are really much too fragile for an outdoor pond in my opinion. From the fact they do not swim well and cannot escape predation easily to their more delicate anatomy and physiology which makes them more susceptible to physical injuries and illnesses due to the morphed shape; fancy goldfish really should not be kept in ponds.

Many fellow goldfish enthusiasts and I have had great success with fancies in outdoor ponds provided they are brought inside for the cold winter. Any pond with predators around should be covered with some sort of screen/netting because even fast comets can become a quick lunch for a hungry raccoon or bird.

 

[Dalloway]

Many fellow goldfish enthusiasts and I have had great success with fancies in outdoor ponds provided they are brought inside for the cold winter. Any pond with predators around should be covered with some sort of screen/netting because even fast comets can become a quick lunch for a hungry raccoon or bird.

I'm know, I'm actually aware to bebhonest but like I said, it's just my own personal opinion. From the quality control during breeding issues to the body shape... I just feel like they're not suited for ponds.

@Shadeslayer
Ah ok that's good then c:. Not a lot of people want to make such space for so few fish. Glad to hear you're allowed to expand your hobby XD! I'm becoming a bit of a collector of tanks myself. I have few fish but I have a ton of planted nanos now :x!

Oh wow, I feel like I'll take just as long to catch each individual ;;!

Do you buy fish online? That's a pretty steep price x_x!