Thanks you byron. My lights are on a timer. Sorry about the confusion. I have a couple questions though. I'm using regular silicon coated gravel right now. Should I use some kind of planted aquarium substrate? I have 2 harlequin rasboras, 2 rosy tetras, (plan on getting another one or is it at least 4 that they need to feel safe together?) 1 orange neon tetra, 1 yoyo loach. (I think I need to get more of these too) and the redtail shark and danio that will be going back to the fish store. Do I need to get more rasboras for them to feel safe? I would like to get a "shoal" of true rummynose tetras and and lemon tetras. With all the extra fish I need to add for my current fish to feel safe and the new additions that I want to make, will my tank be overstocked?
If you like the appearance of the gravel you have, no need to change it for plants. Plant substrates have nutrients that assist in plant growth, but they are not essential to a nice healthy planted aquarium, as my plain gravel tanks clearly illustrate. Liquid fertilizer will be sufficient. However, if you want to change the look of the substrate, then for a small tank like a 10g I would consider an enriched substrate like Flourite or Eco-complete. These are obviously more expensive than plain gravel or sand, but the amount for a 10g would be one bag so not too much to spend if you like the look. You can get these in natural browns and black, both of which are very beautiful with plants and forest fish that will really colour up with a dark substrate (if your present gravel isn't dark).
On the fish, I must suggest that you make some decisions. In a 10g you simply do not have space for all those you've mentioned, with just what you currently have since I agree they need increasing in numbers.
Tetras and rasbora are shoaling fish that should have a group of five or six, no less. I have a group of Rosy Tetra, and while they are beautiful, I think they are too much for a 10g; a 20g long is in my view minimum size for this beautiful fish. They have a social structure that needs a group of males and females, 3 males and 2 females would work; they are not overly active by comparison to some fish like danios, but they attain 1.5 inches and need some space to move around and interact. Check out our fish profile (click the shaded name).
A group of 5-6 rasbora would be fine, with a bottom fish. And on these, the Yoyo loach you mention needs a group of at least 3 and this is going to be crowding them in a 10g. This species attains 6 inches in length, and needs space with hiding spots as mentioned in our profile although the size is not listed yet. Loaches are highly social fish; our profile does recommend minimum 3 or preferably 5, but in a 55g tank. If you like the yo-yo loach, a good replacement would be the dwarf loach,
Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki which is very similar in patterning but as the name suggests smaller, 2.5 inches, and a group of 4 or even 5 in your 10g with the group of rasbora would create a nice SE Asian aquarium.
Expanding the fish you have, or replacing as with the loach, is going to fill your 10g tank. I would not add rummynose tetras to a 10g, they need swimming space. Interestingly, I just noticed neither species is included in our profiles; I was certain I wrote up the Rummynose profile, must have been for a thread I guess--will have to rectify this oversight.:shock:
Byron.