"Liz" wrote in message
oups.com...
All,

I have a 10g that's finishing cycling, so I'm planning for the future
while I wait and would appreciate advice from your experience.

Tanks specs: 10g; two HOB filters - one rated at 80gph, one at 100gph;
3" disc-shaped airstone in one corner (I like bubbles and the fishies
seem to like them too); all fake decorations. It's been running since
02 Oct 2005, the rasboras have been in since 05 Oct 2005 and the neons
since 10 October 2005. Temp is kept at ~76F. pH is 7.4 and totally
stable.

## The 100gph alone should do the job on a 10 gallon tank.

http://www.lizmcguireonline.com/tank.jpg

I know not to add _anything_ until the ammonia and nitrite hit 0 on
their own (rather than via water changes or such). But when that
finally happens, I'm thinking of doing the following and would like
your opinion of the plan:

1. Add 3 more neons (to keep the others company). After this I'll
continue to monitor ammonia and nitrite to watch for a mini-cycle
(anyone know how long to watch for this?).

## It sounds like the tank will be FULL at that point. :-)

2. Once they're adjusted and the mini-cycle (if any) is over, add 3
more rasboras (again, to keep the others company). Repeat the
mini-cycle watch.

## You don't want to overcrowd them. 10 gallons isn't a very large amount
of water.

3. Add some algae eaters. I'd like some otos (as they're so cute), but
have been advised that they could be a bit too sensitive and the tank a
bit to small for a proper group and should perhaps consider cory cats
instead. I haven't made a final decision on this.

I know this is definitely pushing some limits, but I'm thinking with
the extra air / filtration and regular water changes** it might be OK.
Your advice is appreciated though as I don't want to make any more
mistakes at the expense of poor helpless fishies...

## There are other stresses caused by overcrowding that have little to do
with water quality. It's better to purchase a bigger tank, or a second tank
than overcrowd one you already have.

**I got myself a Magnum 350 canister filter with all the add-ons and
use it to take old water out and put clean water in, and I gotta say,
water changes are _fast_ and _easy_ now - it also works beautifully for
gravel washing as I can spend as long as I want (the filtered output
just goes back in the tank - then after the gravel wash, I do a water
change). (What can I say, I like fast and easy more than money g)

## It reminds me of my Vortex Diatom filter....... :-)
--
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