What to put in my 10 gallon tank?

How many Guppies can I put in a 10 gallon tank and with what type of bottom feeders?

• I have a 10 gallon rectangular tank with heater (75 degrees F, supposed to be automatically set to within 2 degrees of 78 F but wont go over 75F), filter (for 5-15 gallon, i think Whisper brand), and an air pump with air stone. It has been cycled but I had to treat for ich and it kind of threw it through another cycle. I had 5 guppies to begin with and unfortunately lost one (think due to ammonia spike because of the medication (no carbon)). That brought me down to 4 guppies, 2 males, 2 females. It was one of my females who died. I did many water changes after I was done medicating and the fish are fine now. However, my males like to follow just one of my females and I am worried they are exhausting her too much and want to get ?2-3? more females so I have a better ratio. Would that be alright? Also, are there any bottom feeders besides (some) shrimp that would fit in my tank and not harm my guppies, or fry?? Any advice would be great. I am new to the hobby and don't want to overstock my tank. I am also doing weekly water changes of 20-25% adding in dechlorinator, and start zyme once a month. I am also in the middle of cycling a 5 gallon for the fry and in the future going to upgrade to I'm thinking a 40 gallon. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

• Answer:

  Here's a little info I've wrote up, given it out multiple times, I follow it myself -- I have 30 ten gallon tanks, 1 75 gallon tank, and 1 20 gallon tank all for raising guppies. I do know what I am talkin' about. :) You may know EVERYTHING I'm telling you, but hey! Why not, just in case. I'd say you'd be fine with about 7 guppies in there, buy more females if anything. For a bottom feeder, I do not know much about FISH bottom feeders (That's 1 species I do not bother with, not that that's a specific species but you get what I mean.) but you could do snails, for sure. ---Breeding--- 3 females per 1 male is a good guideline. The guppy gestation period is about 4 weeks. REMEMBER the date she gives birth, so you know when to expect her next drop. Lead your pregnant female as close to your aquarium light as possible, and look to see if you can see eyes in her gravid area. Most of the time, if they are within a few days of birth, you will see them. The gravid area may also turn reddish, clearer, greyer, etc. ---Basics hatchery guidelines for breeding--- NO TANK MATES ASIDE FROM SNAILS. No Ghost Shrimp, they snag fry. - Hatchery Tank Depending on how many fry your female drops, you could need as little as 5 gallons, or up to 15. Personally, I'd buy a 10 Gallon. That's what I use. - Filtration/Aeration You're going to want a filter. A slow flowing filter is recommended, with panty hose covering the intake tubes from the filter, so your fry don't get sucked up through there. :) Just cut off the foot, and put the foot over the tube, and secure it with a rubber band. - Substrate You can go bare bottom, which is sanitary, prevents food from getting stuck in the gravel. You can use sand, playbox sand is easy. Clean, and cheap in bulk. I recommend using natural or neutral colors! :) - Tank Temp Go 75 degrees, to 78 degrees. Or the temperature of your main fish tank! :) (Which is hopefully in the 74 - 78 range) - Food Small flakes, brine shrimp, or boiled egg yolk every few hours 4 times a day is what I recommend. And hey, you could put aquarium salt in your tanks for a stress reliever and gill health. :) I also do monthly medications (Sometimes every 6 months instead) of Tetracyclin, though not really needed, it protects disease throughout my tanks -- With so many fish moving in and out, I cannot deal with a disease outbreak. Buy your meds and foods in bulk off of an aquarium auction site! There are many around, and you'll most likely get a GREAT deal! If you enjoy guppy breeding, also think about showing guppies, and even betta fish!