Setting up an aquarium!

[Matthiasa]

Snails are easy... but the fish always eat their eggs.

 

[micrometers]

Snails are easy... but the fish always eat their eggs.

that's actually a good solution to the overpopulation problem many have warned against.

 

[Matthiasa]

Umm... it's the fish eating the snail eggs not the snails eating the fish eggs.
Snails primarily eat algae.
To many snails though can be turned into dinner.

 

[GoSharks]

interesting fact about clownfish: when they are young they are genderless.

Over time they fight. The weaker one becomes female, the stronger male.

Not quite.

In a group of clownfish, there is a strict dominance hierarchy. The largest and most aggressive female is found at the top. Only two clownfish, a male and a female, in a group reproduce through external fertilization. Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning that they develop into males first, and when they mature, they become females. If the female clownfish is removed from the group, such as by death, one of the largest and most dominant males will become a female. The remaining males will move up a rank in the hierarchy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphiprioninae

 

[jtvang125]

Here's a 5g I just started for my kitchen.

http://s961.photobucket.com/albums/ae96/jtvaj125/Pico 5gal/

I'm using low maintenance/light plants. No fish yet. You can definitely start off with plants first but just make sure you pick ones that don't require high lighting or a nutrient rich substrate and you'll be fine. Join a few planted tank forums for the best selection and pricing for plants.

 

[Jodell88]

Umm... it's the fish eating the snail eggs not the snails eating the fish eggs.
Snails primarily eat algae.
To many snails though can be turned into dinner.

The assassin snail loves escargot.

 

[micrometers]

small update:

i read that you need to start your nitrogen cycle early...so i put in some fish bones which should get it started.

I'm thinking this is what I"ll do.

2 mollies, male and female

Ghost shrimp

and I'm looking for another species of fish that will EAT the fry that the mollies produce. Bonus points if those fish breed and their spawn get eaten by the mollies.

 

[Jodell88]

small update:

i read that you need to start your nitrogen cycle early...so i put in some fish bones which should get it started.

I'm thinking this is what I"ll do.

2 mollies, male and female

Ghost shrimp

and I'm looking for another species of fish that will EAT the fry that the mollies produce. Bonus points if those fish breed and their spawn get eaten by the mollies.

The molly fry will hide in the substrate and any other hiding places it will find. You WILL get more mollies in your tank. Also, it is recommended that you get three females to one male so that the sexual harassment is spread out.

 

[micrometers]

The molly fry will hide in the substrate and any other hiding places it will find. You WILL get more mollies in your tank. Also, it is recommended that you get three females to one male so that the sexual harassment is spread out.

well, the ghost shrimp will get them

maybe platys?

 

[RPD]

small update:

i read that you need to start your nitrogen cycle early...so i put in some fish bones which should get it started.

I'm thinking this is what I"ll do.

2 mollies, male and female

Ghost shrimp

and I'm looking for another species of fish that will EAT the fry that the mollies produce. Bonus points if those fish breed and their spawn get eaten by the mollies.

... You are making this overly complicated.

 

[micrometers]

... You are making this overly complicated.

that's what I always do, in everything in life.

I revised it. Mollies look like a bad idea for a 10 gallon...so I'll just accept that.

Platys and tiger barbs and ghost shrimp.

and java fern.

 

[Soccerman06]

Dude your way over thinking this, just get some fish that you like. The baby mollies can be sold if you want or just thrown away. These are starter fish, not a prized discus.

 

[Jodell88]

that's what I always do, in everything in life.

I revised it. Mollies look like a bad idea for a 10 gallon...so I'll just accept that.

Platys and tiger barbs and ghost shrimp.

and java fern.

Tiger barbs will get too big for a 10 gallon. Platys are live bearers, so they pose the same challenges as Mollies. I think you're over stocking your tank.

 

[Rubycon]

The molly fry will hide in the substrate and any other hiding places it will find. You WILL get more mollies in your tank. Also, it is recommended that you get three females to one male so that the sexual harassment is spread out.

Hang an Aquaclear 500 on the back. You won't have a problem with fry hiding in the tank. Just be sure to clean the flattened ones off the sponge before they start to decay. :biggrin:

 

[micrometers]

Tiger barbs will get too big for a 10 gallon. Platys are live bearers, so they pose the same challenges as Mollies. I think you're over stocking your tank.

argh, yeah.

problem is that I like them because they don't look too "fishy" .

I'll probably just get bettas then for this 10 gallon. and the ghost shrimp which look cool as hell.

 

[Rubycon]

Bettas (as in plural) need to be in barracks or bowls, physically separated. The males will fight. If you want more than one get females. They are not as attractive and their fins are far shorter, etc.

You can always get glofish and replace the hood light with a blacklight bulb. :biggrin:

 

[micrometers]

Bettas (as in plural) need to be in barracks or bowls, physically separated. The males will fight. If you want more than one get females. They are not as attractive and their fins are far shorter, etc.

You can always get glofish and replace the hood light with a blacklight bulb. :biggrin:

interrestttinggggg. any images of blacklit goldfish?

I see bettas all the time but they look so lethargic. Though that probably is because they're stuck in these crappy tiny containers.

so it turns out that shortfin mollies are good in 10g, but sail fin mollies need 20g.

so shortfin mollies and platys and they can eat each other's young

 

[Jodell88]

interrestttinggggg. any images of blacklit goldfish?

I see bettas all the time but they look so lethargic. Though that probably is because they're stuck in these crappy tiny containers.

so it turns out that shortfin mollies are good in 10g, but sail fin mollies need 20g.

so shortfin mollies and platys and they can eat each other's young

Bettas are awesome if they are in large aquariums, not in bowls. You'll still end up with extra mollies. Mark my words. :biggrin:

 

[micrometers]

Bettas are awesome if they are in large aquariums, not in bowls. You'll still end up with extra mollies. Mark my words. :biggrin:

yeah, I think if that's the case I'll just liberate the excess surplus in the local river or something.

 

[Jodell88]

yeah, I think if that's the case I'll just liberate the excess surplus in the local river or something.

DO NOT DO THAT! WTF!

caps

 

[micrometers]

DO NOT DO THAT! WTF!

caps

actually, bettas do look active enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ZYDe9VNEY

i like the whole bubble nest thing also.

 

[BoomerD]

yeah, I think if that's the case I'll just liberate the excess surplus in the local river or something.

Illegal as hell.

If nothing else, raise them to salable size and take them to the pet store. Many stores will buy them...some give you cash, others, store credit. They' need to be at least 1" IIRC. Talk to your local fish store. (you won't get rich though...only a few cents each)

 

[micrometers]

yeah. maybe bettas are a better idea. I'll probably just make a snap decision at the store anyways.

so I hear tetras are good betta tank mates.

 

[Jodell88]

yeah. maybe bettas are a better idea. I'll probably just make a snap decision at the store anyways.

so I hear tetras are good betta tank mates.

They might be food also.

The personality of bettas are hit or miss. Some aren't really aggressive, and some will chase ever fish that it sees. It's a good thing they can't swim quickly enough to catch most fish.

 

[micrometers]

ah-ha!

http://bettacare101.com/tankmates2/


White Cloud Mountain Minnows
White clouds are similar to neon tetras in size and coloration but are more peaceful, hardy, and enjoy cooler water. Their temperature range is between 68-78 degrees but can survive in the 50 degree range. Their hardiness makes them an excellent fish for a beginner and their temperment makes them a great tankmate for a betta. However, the temperature of the aquarium would need to be in the upper 70's (78F) to accomodate the bettas needs and the white cloud's needs. Additionally, similar to the red cherry shrimp, white clouds are easy to breed and are believed to not eat their young (the betta might though). White clouds are a very good choice for a tankmate and for a beginning aquarist.