Hello! I am new to the wonderful world of aquariums!
I recently purchased a 10 gallon tank and am in the process of cycling it (I had originally thought I'd purchase a smaller tank as I live in a small apartment, but doing some research I decided that 10 gallons was the smallest tank I can humanly keep fish in).
I have my heart set on eventually purchasing GloFish Tetras, but want some advice on the appropriate density so that they aren't stressed that their school is too small and still have sufficient space. I also plan on getting a few snails to help keep the system in balance.
In your experience, what is the proper number of both Tetras and snails to help keep the tank and fish happy and healthy?
As a side question - do you have any advice on what to do when your water is too warm? Its been quite a warm summer and my thermometer is reading water temps between 80 and 90 degrees... and I fear with August around the corner the worst is yet to come. My heater is plugged but seems to be accurately reading the temp and NOT turning on. Normally I'd be all too happy to just wait an extra month to purchase fish until cooler weather sets in, but I think that's just delaying the inevitable - I'll probably be dealing with this same issue again in 12 months. Do I drop an ice cube or two in before leaving for work and hope that's sufficient until I get home 10 hours later? (I'm a bit of a work-a-holic)
I recently purchased a 10 gallon tank and am in the process of cycling it (I had originally thought I'd purchase a smaller tank as I live in a small apartment, but doing some research I decided that 10 gallons was the smallest tank I can humanly keep fish in).
I have my heart set on eventually purchasing GloFish Tetras, but want some advice on the appropriate density so that they aren't stressed that their school is too small and still have sufficient space. I also plan on getting a few snails to help keep the system in balance.
In your experience, what is the proper number of both Tetras and snails to help keep the tank and fish happy and healthy?
As a side question - do you have any advice on what to do when your water is too warm? Its been quite a warm summer and my thermometer is reading water temps between 80 and 90 degrees... and I fear with August around the corner the worst is yet to come. My heater is plugged but seems to be accurately reading the temp and NOT turning on. Normally I'd be all too happy to just wait an extra month to purchase fish until cooler weather sets in, but I think that's just delaying the inevitable - I'll probably be dealing with this same issue again in 12 months. Do I drop an ice cube or two in before leaving for work and hope that's sufficient until I get home 10 hours later? (I'm a bit of a work-a-holic)
