Need tank mate ideas

[Rice]

Hello. im thinking about geting 4 more 10 gallon tanks (mostly because i want different communities). do you have any fish that'll go good with each other that live for 1-2 years average and cheap ranging from 5-7 dollars each? i have all the equipment from previous friends (heaters, filters, gravel but no tank). i have 4 10 gallon tanks to stock up, any ideas? would like live plant advice also on which type of plants to get that dont require much lighting. im mostly interested in the behaviors and color of the fish . gona get those tanks soon and let it cycle for a few days with fancy guppies inside since i have alot of those. also, do you think having a background for the tank makes it look nicer or do you prefer to get live plants to cover up most of the back so you wont see the wall.
thanks.

[osteoporoosi]

Java moss, java fern and anubias don't need alot of fertilizers or light.There isn't a lot of fish that go in a 10, but you have some options.
Here's some suggestions for you tank:

1:
1 male betta
10 red ruby tetras/blue emperor tetras

2:
15 hengeli rasboras
5 amano shrimps

3:
5 male guppys
apple snails
bunch of amano shrimps

4:
20 neon tetras

5:
1 honey gourami
10 hengeli rasboras

6:
1 honey or dwarf gourami
5 amano shrimps

7:
(this set up requires fine sand for substrate)
5 kuhli loaches

[Rice]

did research on all your recommendations and heres some questions.

you seem to be a shrimp lover . they are nice looking.. did a little research when i read this post. a site says they sell 2-3$ but than most LFS jack up the price and i only know about 6 different LFS, 3 i checked dont have the amano shrimp.
how much do they cost where you buy them?

is 15 hengeli rasboras to much for a 10 gallon tank? i heard there best in groups but is 15 to much? i was thinking about 4 or 5.

kuhli loaches seem to have a interesting personality. hope i find some of those. how much does it cost?

i couldnt really find any pictures of red ruby tetra or the blue emporer tetra. can you post pics?

[fishboy]

i hate to be the one to say it but theres always the classics livebears tank. For a 10 gallon and livebearer besides swordtails and all male or you'll be orverrun. plus livebearers are cheap

If you can get them female bettas also make a good comunity fish and can be mixed with certian fish a male couldn't.

maybe have one of them be a tank for multies (shell dwelling cichlids). they will need shells and sand and i'm not certian on numbers.(can be difficult to find)

[Rice]

im really experienced with mollys, swordtails, guppys. i breed them for 2 years, gave most of the fish to friends and sold to LFS.
shell dwelling cichlids seem hard to find because of there color (unless im looking at another type of cichlids). how much do you think they cost?
oh yeah, do any of you guys recommend paper backgroud or you have none?

[osteoporoosi]

Yes, a backround is needed, blacj,blue(I have a self-made rock-imitation), whatever you prefer. Hengelis are very much a schooling fish, get at least 10.

[ron v]

Rice, how do you feel about getting a couple of 20's instead of 4 10's? It would open your options considerably.

[osteoporoosi]

Here is blue emperor tetra:
http://www.vectrapoint.com/main/phot...ages/kerri.jpg

And here is the ruby tetra(or the glowlight tetra, I think thats the common english name):
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/H...mgpesci/1g.jpg

Bigger tanks might be a good idea. Amanos cost here a fortune, 5 dollars each. ripoff.

[Rice]

ok, i just checked my LFS and they sell 20 gallon tanks for 40 dallors by itself (thinks its a ripoff). thats the closest fish store which is 2 miles. others are 15 miles away. it'll be hard to carry them on the bus and hoping no one will knock it over or accidently strike it. that LFS sells them for 10 dollars for 10 gallon. thats why i want 10g tanks. i have this other tank were my rainbow arowana use to be till i forgot to add the chemicals for cholrine -_-. project was distracting me and i wanted to hurry and clean it.. gona take my time on the next water change. anyways, not sure how many gallons that tank is but i think its more than 20. (dont have ruler or measuring tape).
hopefully during the weekend i can get my dad to drive me to 2 other fish stores that hopefully sell tanks cheaper since i know they sell fish cheaper . bought 20 neon tetras for 5 dollars but takes 20-30 minute drive.
surprisingly i couldnt find any fish that was on your list osteoporoosi. i really want those shrimps but cant find them either. checked another one today. didnt have it either.
i see that most of your recommandations has to do with anamo shrimp, when i get the arowana tank cleaned again (added salt since i heard it helps it fight off diseases). lets say its a 29 gallon. you think this list would work?
7 red ruby tetras
7 blue emperor tetras
10 amano shrimps
7 fancy guppies
10 neon tetras
10 hengeli rasboras

tell me if i should have more of one kind of fish or less. will the tetras school together or will they school with there own kind? like rubys only school with rubys etc..
i know you guys recommended 20 neons and 20 hengeli but i want it to be kinda even so one type wont cover up another type while swiming by. also easier to check on them all when there apart.

[ron v]

Rice, check your local newspaper classifieds. You may get lucky and fine a used aquarium cheap.

[Fishfirst]

I think you'll be a little overstocked, even though your fish aren't huge, they occupy the same swimming level... what about hatchets or cories?

[Gracie6363]

my 10 gallon contains 2 zebra danios (1 regular one pink)
4 white skirt tetras
1 VERY small pl*co

I believe my tank to be close to over crowded, but they are doing well. I would not stock nearly as many fish as osteo recommends. You would need some air stones, good filter, and slowly add thos fish after the water has been cycled by a hardier fish like the danio or something. I'd keep a 10 gallon to 6-7 small-hardy fish.

fyi... female betas are cool to have in community tank. I wouldnt recommend them to be in with fancy male guppies though... they get a little nippy with them.

[Rice]

i NEVER seen a used tank in classifieds before. i check mostly on wednesdays when school provides newpapers.
that list was also to stock my 29 gallon that is currently cycling again since i always clean everything in the tank as best as possible whenever everything dies in the tank (only had one fish but still).

[osteoporoosi]

Lose the guppys, they need more alkaline and harder water than the rest.

[Pac-Man]

my lfs sells 20 gallon tanks by themselves for $24. is this a ripoff??