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I currently have a small 2 gallon with a male guppy.

Other than that I need to know everything about 10 gallon tanks.

Help , I'm rather inexperienced.

I also don't really know what is coming with the tank other than the stand.(filter, light...)

I don't want to go to all the trouble of live plants, plastic sounds easier.

As far as gravel, I like the floral marbles from craft stores. How much will I need? I'm so confused.

well, for gravel, a general rule i follow is 1-1.5 pounds per gallon. it depends on how much coverage you want. if you put too much gravel it limits the space you'll have for fish.

for stocking, if you have some fish you might like to keep you can let us know and we'll tell you if they'll fit. but keep in mind you can't pick fish that will grow to more than about 3 inches in length.

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I have the one male guppy who will go in the 10g. I was thinking maybe some more Male guppies, I want some other kind of fish but I don't know what.

Well, the thing about the 10g is, as well as the smaller tank, that you are greatly limited by both size and numbers of what can go in.
With the 2 gal, I assume you are already used to a strict water change regimin. This will have to be with the 10g as well.
If guppies are your thing, then I would get about 6-8 MALES. one female is enough for a population explosion. Then perhaps afew ottos for the bottom, but only after the tank is established.
As for gravel, about an inch of fine gravel in the bottom is good. heaters, a lot of nice ones out there, get one that is rated for a 10g tank. Air, not really necessary if you have a good filter but a lot of ppl like them in their tanks. Filters, I'd suggest an Aquaclear mini or the like. Again there are a lot of choices out there. I like the plastic plants too. good luck with your tank

thanks that will help alot!

Does no one else have any advise?

A few more male guppies sounds like a good idea. If you want to stick with the marbles, you'll abviously need some more, but only enough to cover the bottom, you won't need depth. Plastic plants sounds good, but you'll have to watch your nitrates or you'll have them covered in algae, and that's no fun. Regular weekly water changes will help avoid this, and keep your fish happy as well. If you're using marbles on the bottom, a whimsical rather than a natural look might be neat... get funky colored plants, and maybe some larger pieces of glass or ceramic decoration. If you have a rock shop near you, some quartz crystals or large polished stones might look nice, too.

In addition to your guppies, you have a few other options for tankmates. I would avoid anything too small because they might get caught in the spaces between the marbles... but African dwarf frogs, 4-5 panda cories, or 4-5 small loaches like zebra or skunk loaches might be nice.

Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean...

thanks! Now I just have to wait for my uneducated friend to replace the tank so I can have it. the uneducated one got a fish that got to big for the tank now she has to buy a larger one. (that is all the details I have)

wait a sec, I've heard of this cycling thing. What is cycling? what fish should I use?

~Cassie

Welcome to Fp

Gratz on your 10g

My 10g has a penguin mini filter, 50w heater, regular gravel and a top. I added an 11 watt compact flourescent bulb (5700k rating) for plants (java moss and java fern) and a timer set to 8 hrs. It's a no maintenance tank besides topping the water. The snails keep it clean as a whistle

For more info on cycling check 'Articles'.
I used a guppy or 2 to cycle my 10. There are many pple against this however I've used guppys several times in the past with no problems. The trick is to start with one or 2 guppys or danios (for a 10g), and feed very little during the first few weeks (small pinch a day and no more then the fish can eat in a few minutes) Then add a 2nd fish, wait a week.. Add another... Until your tank is stocked the way you'd like. To add groups of fish at once causes 'mini-cycles'.

The usual cycling problems with new tanks are when people overfeed and overstock the tank from the get go. Hope this helps




The Amazon Nut...

There is a product called, Cycle, that you can use to jump start your tank. Just follow the directions. Add your fish slowly, not all at the same time. I have also used water, and filter medium, from a already cycled tank (during water changes) to help cycle a new tank, but I have three tanks now and take it from my own tanks.
I have a ten gallon tank set up for a male crowntail betta, using flat, clear marbles - from the dollas store (needed four bags, I believe). I have three small clear glass canning jars for the betta to play in (can trap air in the top) and some fake plants. It works out fine, and the betta is having a blast.

ok, go to the "getting started" forum, the room this message is posted in. The first thread in this room is an article called "Starting an aquarium" Read that, the author does a good job of explaining the nitrogen cycle. Basically, the cycle is this.
Fish create waste. This waste turns into a source of ammonia which is toxic to fish. Then Beneficial bacteria grows and consumes this ammonia, converting it to nitrite. Less toxic than ammonia but not good either. Different bacteria will then grow that will eat the nitrite, converting it into nitrate. Of the three, this is the least toxic, but still harmful to fish. This cycling process can be hard on fish, and many of the less hardier species may not survive.
Nitrates are only removed by your weekly water changes, in a ten gal or smaller I'd be doing 30-40 percent twice a week.A good gravel vacumming during this water change will remove the gunk in the gravel which makes this ammonia. This gunk is created by uneaten food, fish poo and any other decaying organic matter.
Hope this helps. If not do a google search on nitrogen cycle in aquariums and there will be a plethora of helpful info.