[T4V3N]

So, first, I'd like to let any of you who read this thread; to please check back every now and again. So if you know the answer to any of my questions, you can answer them.

Now, I've got a few questions, mostly about my two five gallon tanks. One has been established, and the other has just begun its fishless cycle. The established one is a shrimp colony, Red Cherry Shrimp, to be exact. I've got a sponge filter going in there, and I've been thinking about slipping in some ceramic media within the tubes the water is flowing through. I don't think it'd clog the tubes so long as I don't overfill it. I just want some more biological filtration going on. A power filter is out of the question due to the baby shrimp I've got in there. If you'd like a photo of this sponge filter, check out my aquarium log thingie.

For my second tank, I am not sure which direction to take. I unwillingly have some snails in there that look like MTS but I don't know if I should remove them or not. I don't know if they came with the plants I bought at my LFS or the bogwood I bought at Petco, but they're there nonetheless. I'd need some opinions on that, and I'd also like some knowledge on stocking such a small tank. I do know that if I go with fish, I'd at least want five in there. If I go with shrimp, that'd be simple. I've also seen crabs for sale and I'm honestly tempted to give it a try. Before I make the decision, I'd like someone to either support my ideas or shoot them down.

And again, if you need any info on my tanks, just check them out on my aquarium log. I make sure to keep those updated almost weekly if anything happens or changes.

 

[BWG]

If it's MTS then leave them in. There are helpful in that they will aerate the substrate and clean up waste. For that matter if it's any type of "pest" snail leave them in. I personally introduce MTS and pond snails. They won't eat healthy plants, have some benefits (as I mentioned), and add some variety. If you don't overfeed then they won't overrun your tank.

I keep a few species of small fish, my smallest being two species of Boraras. I've seen them kept in small aquariums. I know one member on here QT a different species of his in a 5 gallon. That was a limited time thing though and he eventually moved them to a larger tank, something I personally agree with. People do keep them in smaller tanks on a permanent basis, I just like to see them with a bit more room since males form temporary mini territories. Again, can be done, just not something I do or like.

Why are you interested in shoaling fish, just curious? Only asking because any of the fish best suited (IMO) to that tank size aren't shoaling.

Do you mean Thai micro crabs? They can be mixed with shrimp from what I understand if the water parameters are right. I had thought about getting myself some, but for didn't. So far no one has been able to successfully breed them and rise the young past 9 or so days.

 

[Boredomb]

I agree about the snails. Leave them they do more good then bad. Just don't over feed as mentioned already and they will be fine.

BWG is the man when its comes to nano fish. If anyone can help you figure out what to put in a tank that size its him.

I had the boraras in a 5.5 tank but it was just thru QT (as mentioned) then they went to a bigger tank. I don't know about leaving them in a small tank like that long term. They do like to swim and as mentioned males do break off and form territories. As cool as they looked in that tank I don't think it would be fair to them to keep them in there or atleast not 15 as I had long term.

What is your water hardness in this tank??

 

[T4V3N]

Well for the crabs I've seen, there were Fiddler Crabs, Red Claw Crabs, and I forgot the other. I'm usually into shoaling fish since I like them swimming in unison, it just catches my eye. As for the hardness, I have not had the luck of finding a testing kit for that but I do know that the Ph is 7.4-7.6.

If I can't have shoaling fish, which I should understand with common sense; What fish are good for a tank that size? I'm assuming one would be a Betta. What are the other "solo" fish that I could have in there?

 

[BWG]

Not super familiar with the crabs you mentioned. I have this inkling in the back of my mind that they need brackish and possibly a land area. Didn't look into it yet though.

In a 10 gallon I'd feel comfortable with 15-20 Boraras and 10 pygmy cories. Not trying to talk you into a bigger tank, just trying to illustrate how small these fish are. I'm not a fan of tanks smaller than 10 gallons for the vast majority of fish, so I might be biased.

Nano fish are almost always going to be wild caught, so it's best to have ones that match your water fairly closely. Most prefer things on the soft and acidic side. Others absolutely need live food. That's why a betta will usually be the top choice for a tank this size. Haven't kept any of these, so just consider it a starting point to look into them more because I could be completely wrong on if they'd work. A single dwarf puffer (need live food), a pair or trio of scarlet badis (needs live food), pair or trio of sparkling gourami, or a pair or trio of pygmy sunfish (need live food and are tough to find). That's just naming some off the top of my head.

 

[T4V3N]

So I went against my better judgment and have bought some guppies; Cobra Endler's, and Lyretail Guppies, two of each. All Males, and they swim together a lot. I'll be loading up photos on my Aquarium Log soon, and probably on here too if any are curious to see how the tank looks. Got some Dwarf Hairgrass, Water Primrose, Bogwood, Blyxa Japonica, Melon Sword, Wisteria, and Anacharis in there. If I have spelt any of those wrong, let me know. I used old bio-media from my 20g, and so far I've got 0.25ppm of Ammonia, and 1.0ppm of Nitrates today. I have done a water change, and the Guppies look quite happy to me. Hm, I think this has become a tank blog more than a question log. . . I think I'm more looking to see what anyone says about my choice of inhabitants. Oh, and no one has given me an opinion of using bio-media within the tubes of my sponge filter. Can anyone give me their opinion on that, please?

 

[Boredomb]

I see no reason to use Bio media inside the tube of your sponge filter. A sponge filter by itself will work great as Bio media due the surface area a sponge has. Always great at filtering small particulars too. Big particalars usually wil clinge to them as well. I use them in all my 10 gallons and 5.5 gallon. OFC this is just my opinion others may say differently.

 

[T4V3N]

True, but I'm one for overkill. Having just a tad more bio-media than needed is what I'm for. If more people would respond, that would be lovely. At least I've got your opinion, boredomb.

 

[Chesh]

I agree with BDM on the filter media, and also like to go overkill - just a lil'. TOO much bb never hurt anyone, I don't think. You should ask him to show you how he rocked the filtration for his QT tank, that was lovely!

Guppies and Endler's are small fish, but both are very active and will take full advantage of every bit of tankspace they are provided with. There isn't enough room in a 5g tank for these fish to swim in a way that is natural for them. It's too cramped. You may be able to keep them alive in there, and I've seen people who have. But I don't think it's really fair to the animals. Add to that the fact that even the littlest guppies carry the higher bioload that comes with most live-bearers - you're going to have to do a lot of extra cleanup in this tank to keep the water clean and healthy. Personally, I disagree with keeping these fish in a tank this size, I'm sorry to say.

 

[Boredomb]

I agree with BDM on the filter media, and also like to go overkill - just a lil'. TOO much bb never hurt anyone, I don't think. You should ask him to show you how he rocked the filtration for his QT tank, that was lovely!

Haha Jes, that was an ugly filter but effective. Through I solely did that to get the bacteria into the tank needed for getting it cycled quickly. Or else I would have never had the media balls before the sponge.

 

[Chesh]

*giggle* I know, I know - but it was still a brilliant solution to the problem - and I didn't think it was THAT ugly, either. I go coocoo for COCOAPUFFS!

**back on topic for me, sorry T4**