Need Suggestions for Hiding places!
 

Hey guys! I have a 10g tank that I have had since I was about 7....so the gravel is awesome!

I need some suggestions for hideout additions to the tank.

Before anyone gets ahead of us....this is an interim tank until I get settled into a new house...and a new tank!!

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/6475/1000869t.jpg

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here's a pic of what I did with flagstone and slate. It does give a nice hide for fish, at least loach types. I doubt chiclids would use it, but I don't know.

First, it depends on what you are housing. On your Aquarium Log it says you have the following in your 10 gallon: Bleeding heart tetras, Bloodfin tetra, Gold Barbs, Angelfish. I just sure hope that is incorrect and you are not keeping those in there, at least not the Angels, as they require a 40+ gallon tank. And for those tetras and barbs, there isnt enough room for them in a 10 gal as each requires about 6 of their own species to feel happy, safe, and healthy. (The Bloodfin would be fine in that size tank though, and probably the bleeding heart too.) I know you mentioned this is a temp tank until you move, but if you have that many fish, or angels in there, no matter the time frame, you have to actually move, get the tank, set the tank up, and cycle the tank before the fish can switch to the right size, which could be months, weeks at the least, which is plenty of time for health damages from overstock or small tank size to set in.

So, I am hoping your aquarium log is incorrect and you have something that can be housed in a 10 gallon.

So, once you tell us what kind of fish you do have in the tank, we can then tell you if or what kind of specific hiding spots you need...or if none are needed but you just want to add one or more, then we can help give you ideas of decor that you might appreciate to look at.

Welcome to TFK, where we strive to help you give your fish the healthiest and happiest home.

that is what is in there...but like i said, its interim for about 1-2 more months MAX. The fish are all under 1.5 inches and the angels are tiny for now. I have full intentions on expanding very soon... the fish were also purchased as a gift, so I am trying to make due for now

Understandable...especially as gifts. Glad to hear they are that small. Be sure to keep up on those water changes.

So, were you wanting hiding spots for the fish, or just for decor? For those types of fish a small cave and lots of plants with a center for swimming would be ideal. The extra live plants would also help the tank in water parameter stability while you are waiting for that upgrade.

What size are you planning to upgrade to?

Gwen, that tank is breathtaking!!!

I'm getting a third tank in May, only a 15 gal, but I wanted to do sand as the substrate and plant it live at least 50%. I dread the hassle of washing the sand, but for the look I will endure it.

The 15 gal will be used to house all from the 5 gal and the neons from the 29 gal, and what ever females come from the guppy fry.

i am hoping for a 120g at least!!!

I wanted to try the live plant again, but I really have no idea what plants to go for.

Thanks for your help!!

Hmm...well, live plants arent my area of expert since I recently got into them. I know java fern is popular and from what I hear pretty easy to care for. For me, my plants are always 2nd to my fish. I love the look of live, and I truely believe my fish appreciate them more so. However, the larger the tank, the more live plants you need for them to be beneficial to the tank as far as water parameters go. I believe I read somewhere that to truely see a major difference as far as filtration, then you need your tank to be something like 80% planted! On my new 15 gal, I had hoped for 80% planted, but I dont think that is do-able, as plants add up financially, so if I can do at least 50% I will feel good.

There are lots of live plants that are easy and dont need special lighting. Of course it doesnt hurt to also use an aquatic plant food. Everyone has their own special likings, I am currently using API Leaf Zone Pro Series, only because it was given to me, so what not save the money and use it.

A 120gal sounds awesome!! If you were sticking with angels in that size, I would go for a total of 5 or 6, as it will spread out their species aggression with one another. And do some research on your barbs and tetras you have, and any that are fin nippers you will want to give away or keep in the 10 gal as the angels will not appreciate them. And if they arent fin nippers and are able to be housed with the angels, then I would make sure to get at least 6 of each for them to shoal.

Let me know if you need a link to cycling in prepration for the larger tank. There is also a good article here on TFK on stocking. And you can scan through the TFK Tropical Fish Profiles to find details on your current fish and future fish. When it comes to stocking, cycling, water parameters and general fish questions, I am pretty good. I sadly am not well verses in fish disease, saltwater, or lighting, also not too deeply informed on live plants outside the basics, but plan on changing that as I do more research for planting the 15 gal next month.