neon tetra aquarium

Question
QUESTION: I am planning to get a 10 gallon aquarium with neon tetras, and can you tell me the best type of filtration and the types of algae eaters
most suitable

ANSWER: Hi Antony,

In my tetra tank, I have live plants (they really love java moss) and I have live snails (large mystery snails, and indonesian live bearing snails - 6 for my 20 long) and I also have 3 mussels, and a clam.

Lots of inverts to filter the water.  The mussels and clams are great, added filtration.

Don't make the mistake most new tetra owners do by adding them to a hot tank.  They like it around 72.  I keep mine at a straight 72, and I keep a very close eye on the water conditions.

I use Reverse Osmosis water, because it is a cureall for hard water issues.  Where I live, we have hard water.  

Test your water conditions is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give.

Filtration - I use a HOB filter and a blackwater extract.  Please look into the blackwater extract if you intend to breed them, as it helps to make them feel right at home.

Good luck, Antony, and I hope you have a happy holiday season.

Happy fish-keeping!

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do I need bogwood and floating plants? Also, I heard that a lot of them die when they are moved to a new tank. What tank size do you recommend?

ANSWER: Hi Antony,

Well, I have mine in a 20 gallon long.  It's 30" long, but only a foot wide and a foot tall.  Very perfect for tetra fish.  The long tanks stay cleaner.  They are shallower.

Sometimes they die when moved...I recommend the R/O water, again, to combat water condition issues.  It works for me.  I don't lose any.

Always quarantine these guys, however.  2 weeks minimum quarantine.  One bad fish will kill them all, and fast.

You should have wood and plants.  I don't say you "have to" have them, because if water conditions are good, then the fish will still survive.  If you have tank-raised fish, they may actually prefer regular water, but if you have wild fish, they will want black water conditions.

I use a black water conditioner.  Looks awful, but works wonders for helping them get into breeding mode.  You may consider using black water if you want to condition for spawn also.

Happy holidays!

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Would green neon tetras be suitable for a smaller tank, like a 10 gallon one, and since most green neon tetras are wild caught ,I suppose I would need blackwater extract, right? Also, do green neon tetras need as many plants as true neon tetras?

Answer
Hello,

Green would be okay for a smaller tank, as would blue or black.  The amount you can safely house would be one tetra per gallon.

You should definitely use the blackwater extract and test for the hardness of the water.  PH is lower for them than you can get away with in captive-bred.

Tetras like plants. They aren't necessary, but they are good to make them feel at home.

Happy fish-keeping.
Renee