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Hi everyone,

I have a ten gallon with 5 neon tetras and a male dwarf gourami. Im pretty new to the hobby, I've only had my tank since October.

Yesterday, I did a water change and then today I completely cleaned the filter and all the filter media. I was planning on replacing all of my substrate with new gravel later this week but now I'm thinking that my tank will have to re-cycle with all this cleaning. How long should I wait to continue my clean-up of the tank and let the bacteria take hold again?

I also had a few stocking questions. I know I talked to a few people in the chatroom the other day about this, but I just wanted a few more opinions. I really like the idea of having any combination of cherry barbs, ottos, or german rams to go along with my neons and gourami. I plan on changing the water at least 25% a week and having tons of plants. Is it possible to get any of these fish? I know for sure that I'm going to get at least 1 more neon to finish the school but other than that, I'm stumped as to what I fit in there. Right now, the tank is a little boring so I want some more variety.

Thanks in advance for all your answers!

MBHM

if you want a quick and painless method to change your gravel, you can pack up all your current gravel into a few small bowls and let them sit for a couple days to a week (a week would be best). after this time you can take out the rest of the gravel in one session and replace with new, all while leaving the bowls in the tank. leave the bowls in about a week after you make the change and then you can take them out. another method is to put some gravel into something like a net or panty hose and leave it hanging in the tank, but however you want to do it.

for stocking, i would suggest a pair of rams to go with your current stock

---

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mbhm15
Hi everyone,

By what you are saying your tank would have to do a complete recycle that is if you cleaned every thing.

It would be doing a mini cycle now as you have not removed all the substrate.

As far as time it could take from 4-6 weeks depending on the planting, starter fish, etc (certainly not the neons) and if you use a product to assist the cycling process
You could use the same water if you decide to.

As far as stocking I would only add more Neons 5+ and several Ottos. With a good filtration system this should be a safe margin.

In my opinion a 10G tank can be very difficult to maintain as you have no room for errors. I have just completed my 11g and after 30+years I would consiser the hardest tank I have ever had. With a large tank you have plenty of water and this makes it very easy to maintain.

I think doing a 15% prepared water change weekly would be sufficient.

I wash my filter material out every week in the old tank water. At the same time I add Sera Bio Starter to keep the good bacteria established.

Keith

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You can add 3 more Neons, but don't add Rams & Barbs. You'll be really stocked with the Gourami & Neons, as a 10 gal. don't have much space.




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