Stocking a fish tank and other fish keeping questions?
23 July 2010
3 Comments
Umm I have six kois in a 10 gallon
tank what else could I add?
I would like to add some sharks maybe...
haha, no jk. I haven't even bought a tank yet and i just lyk to plan ahead and collect lots and lots of info before I get into something too deep.
what kind of tank should i get a 10 gallon or a 20 gallon? I could afford both. but unless u feel like its really that much of an advantage i'd rather get 10.
How should I stock the tank?
How much does it cost to add a filter to an aquarium hood with a light on it and how do you do it?
Info on routine maintenance for fish tanks of this size?
THANK YOU!
Tara
where did you get that kit?
LOL good one – I was all ready to type a big "horrible idea" answer at first, since we get lots of those kind of questions that are totally serious. Good for you for researching before buying. :)
Honestly, if you could do either I would spring for the 20 gallon. It’s easier to maintain good water quality in a 20 gallon vs. a 10 gallon, and gives your fish more space.
Most people – me included – don’t usually like aquarium kits because they are typically junky-made but my first 20 gallon was a Tetra deluxe 20 gallon kit I got for about $100, and it’s been great. It came with everything and every piece of equipment, down to the heater, is still in good working order a few years later.
My recommendation? Do a school of 7 tiger barbs. My tiger barb tank may be my favorite. Tiger barbs are awesome, busy creatures that nip and chase each other. They are like a feeding frenzy at feeding time, too, and they line up and stare at me when it’s around feeding time like they are telling me to hurry up. lol Their dorsal fin kinda reminds me of a little shark, too.
With a 10 gallon you can get a few fish depending on what you want. I have 4 goldfish in a 10 gallon and they are fine. You should buy gravel for they bottom of the tank (any color you like) about i think 25 pounds of gravel is needed for a 10 gallon tank. You should get some plants (fake or real) real give the tank oxygen and a snack for the fish but real plants need food . The fake are just decor (I have glow in the dark). Any other decor is up to you.Depending on the fish you get if its a warm water fish you should get a heater and if its a cold water fish then you don’t need one. Also depending on the fish some need more oxygen than others, fish such as goldfish do and you should buy a air pump for the tank. I have the Aqueon power filter which was 15 dollars and it works great. You really don’t need a hood but they are about 10 dollars with no light and 30 with a light. Before adding a brand new fish to a new tank make sure to let it cycle with the filter on for about 24 hours then buy your fish. Weekly water changes are necessary for a healthy tank. Only change 25% of the water or the fish will die. Also when setting up your aquarium and when changing the water make sure to use water conditioner to remove lead and chlorine from the tap water. You are better off buying a freshwater fish because saltwater require more like aquarium salt.
6 koi are way too much for a 10 or 20 gallon. Ideally, you should have a good-sized pond for koi as they grow to be very large (>3ft).
You mention that you can’t really afford more than a 20 gallon. Maybe you should choose a school of fish that don’t require as much space, maybe: fancy goldfish, danios, catfish, sharks, and community fish, etc. Get a 20 gallon if you can.
Whichever aquarium size you choose, go with a filter that can handle up to 2x the amount of water. A tank hood should cost $15-$30.
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