Stocking 10 Gallon planted tank

[kuni]

Originally Posted by erictruong

If i want to keep some shrimp in my 10 gallon, how will it affect my stocking?

It'll mean you can keep less fish. Shrimp are sensitive to nitrates.

Shrimp also don't like Excel and they aren't huge fans of ferts/CO2. It can be done, but low-tech is better for shrimp.

[erictruong]

@ Kuni - Thanks for the info!

I think I will go with a school of 6 Harlequin Rasbora or similar species and 2 Otos. if i keep 6 Rasboras is having another 2 otos overstocking the tank?

[LB79]

No. Just the them minimally and do lots of water changes. Harlequins have a very low bioload. Likewise with the otos. You could easily have 4 of them and 6 of the rasboras.

[nathanAcs]

what about a dwarf gourami? they are colorful

[LB79]

Dwarf gouramis are mean little brutes...

[erictruong]

@ LB79 - sounds great I guess I will go with those fish then haha

I have another question about my tank but probably shouldn't be posted here but anyways:

I just set up the tank with the plants but I have to go on vacation for 3 weeks. What Can I do to keep my plants healthy and alive for when I come back? Right now i do not have the CO2 set-up because I will start using when I am back from my vacation. I only have the filter running and my light fixture 2x18W t5. How many hours should I run the light for? And what other options do I have?

[LB79]

I'd say put the light on a timer for 8 hours a day. If you can, get some root tabs and shove those in there. It should be fine.

[Gsneufeld]

Stock small shrimp species like cherry, yellows etc about 10 shrimp per 1 fish bioload wise. Bigger shrimp like Amano have a bigger bioload obviously.

One fish I didn't see, the White Cloud minnow. Not a conventional choice, but one of my favorite fish - they have amazing personalities for such small fish. The males spend all their time displaying and chasing with each other,
("nipping" each other, but never doing damage, looks more like they're dancing than fighting)

Like someone said, dwarf gouramis are bad news. Don't get Colisa lalia. Honey gourami aka Trichogaster chuna are a much better choice. Or even better, a fancy Betta, before I upgraded mine to my 20G I had him in a 10, and he loved it just as much as he loves the 20 now. Who ever says Bettas are afraid of bigger tanks has never kept one in a planted tank. Beautiful.

[erictruong]

@lb79- so if I am not using co2 until I come back should I dose with excel or flourish comphrehensive?

[erictruong]

@ Gsneufeld- my friend has a shrimp tank and they reproduce relatively fast. If this Happens I won't have another tank to move them in lol

[LB79]

If you're not going to have CO2 on the tank until you com back, dose Excel and Flourish Comp. as Excel is carbon and Flourish Comp. is nutrients. The plants should be fine for three weeks. The tank may need a little nursing when you get back, as many things can happen when you're away.

[erictruong]

How often should I dose the two?

[FriendsNotFood]

If you have fish in your tank with the shrimp I wouldn't worry about the shrimp overpopulating. The fish will eat the babies and keep the population in check. Also if you keep a betta with your shrimp be prepared to only see your shrimp at night when it's dark.

[In2wishin]

I have become a fan of the naked rummynose rasbora (sawbwa resplendens). They are really unusual colors and have a soft blue body and bright orange nose and tips of the tail fins. Everyone who comes over comments on them and how cool they are. Mine are fully grown and are about 1-1/4" long. They tend to schoal more than school.

[erictruong]

I found out my tank got some baby snails LOL probably were hiding inside the plants I bought. I also see little microscopic things moving around on the back of my aquarium. I can see them clearly because I have a black aquarium background. Could these be smaller
Snails that will grow?