Max load capacity

[Wilkey]

I know the generic rule is (for freshwater) 1" per gallon.

Well this is where I come into a problem.

10 gallon tank.

1 betta

1 Pleco (algae eater if you refer to them as such)

Gravel substrate, hang on side filter, hang on side heater, flourescent lighting, air pump w/ air stone, a few rocks, one piece of driftwood, and some fake plants.

Now, I want to get some cory cats. I've been looking at the Julii Cory Cat because of its small size. Max size is about 2". Now I know cory's are normally kept in a school, I think the minimum is like 3. So, I have a betta, he is about 2 or so inches, the pleco is already 4", which means that if I get 6" of cory cats, then I'll be over my tank limit.

My question is this, is there a filter out there that could help me with this small problem?

If the pleco starts to get too big, then my g/f said I can upgrade my tank to a 20...but I'll get a 30 and say it is a 20. hahaha

So, the filtration until I would get would have to be able to handle this load, and I would need to provide enough air. Is there anything else I may need to pull this off? Or should I just go and get some of the dinky Fire Shrimp or the flower shrimp? I need some bottom dwellers to help pick up the excess food the betta doesn't get to. My betta is slow, so I have to feed him a bit more than I should, the bottom feeders wouuld solve my occasional ammonia spikes.

Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Physh1]

What is your bio filter? You don't have an undergravel system do you? Is the hang on filter a bio wheel or just a cartridge?

Most scavengers don't count so much in the fish rule but it sounds like if you want a school you need a bigger tank. Could you elaborate on what filters you have specifically?

Cameron

 

[Wilkey]

What is your bio filter? You don't have an undergravel system do you? Is the hang on filter a bio wheel or just a cartridge?

Most scavengers don't count so much in the fish rule but it sounds like if you want a school you need a bigger tank. Could you elaborate on what filters you have specifically?

Cameron

I got the Top Fin kit from PetsMart. So basically I'm running a Top Fin 10gallon hang on side filter, with top fin filter element. No bio wheel.

I've been informed, that with the pleco, I have to go to a bigger tank if I have any other fish, because he will get so big.

I don't mind running with shrimp, if they would do as good of a job as the cats, and get along with the pleco and betta.

 

[Flame Angel]

Ahhhh! TopFin!

*hisses and makes a cross with his fingers*

 

[Wilkey]

Ahhhh! TopFin!

*hisses and makes a cross with his fingers*

hahaha, it came with the kit...but now after owning one, I'd like to step up to something that has a bit more "quality" to it. :smile:

 

[Narkon'n'more]

Go read the other HOB filters and pick the one that is one step up from what your tank is, always worked for me, and I was running cichlids, now that is a fish that will cause ammonia spikes on you.

Those deals sound so good don't they, until you actually are running them, its like oh, they are really cheap material. Yeap get what you pay for.

When you want to set up a little salt water we will help you, us locals anyway. :wink:

 

[incysor]

Not that I know anything about freshwater setups, but if you're running a HOB filter, just get one that's, really overrated for your size tank, and that will help you to keep more than is normally advisable. For about 12-14 months I had 17 fish in a 55gal tank. By most peoples measure this was madness, but none of the fish were particularly territorial, and none of them were fish that got large, so the fact that it was overfiltered and that I had it plumbed with a 40 gal tank with effectively doubled my water volume allowed the system to remain stable for over year until I moved. It sounds like you already realize that you've got fish that will outgrow your tank, so I won't go over that. :smile:

B