The current in my tank is a little rough. I have 6 plastic plants positioned around the filter. Is there anything else I can do? I feel like my fish is swimming upstream constantly. It seems like a tough existance to me.

Maybe some kind of ornament below the filter that you can put an airstone in. The rising bubbles could help break the current falling from your filter. That's where I usually place my airstones.

I'll try that. I think overall, I just need a bigger tank. There are so many issues that come with a small tank it seems.

Unfortunately you are so right. And I think a lot of us set up smaller tanks at first either not knowing that you are going to need so much room or that is just all you want to spend on it at the time. Hindsight, right?

Yup. What's worse is the more I learn, the more I want. I started out with a 1 gallon. To my husband 10 gallons is huge. I want more fish though. He says to get another and I keep telling him that I can't.

I know what you mean about wanting more! Give hubby some time and you can start working on him about how a bigger tank will let your fish get bigger and you could have more fish and...... well the list goes on!
And your 10 gallon won't be a waste of money, you could keep it for a hospital tank or you could probably sell it very easily.

What type of filter is it? could you fit a spray bar? Or a piece of filter foam over the outlet works really well in my small tank, its just 1/2 a small sponge filter and i cut a hole in it part way through (like a pocket) and put the outlet in the hole. Hope that makes sense,

Rachel

Sorry Rachel, I am so new to this that sometimes you guys speak another language.

What is a spray bar? filter foam? where is the outlet? I think I know where the outlet is... but I really am very new.

Actually, I bought an air pump for a 20 gallon tank (mine was only for 5) and I got a new hood with florescent bulb so the temperature isn't being pumped up. I took fishrpets advice and put a bubble stone in a hollow ornament (that I was worried about being hollow anyway) under the filter. All my problems with the the temp being too high, the current being too rough, and my fish being lethargic were solved. You guys really are helpful. I appreciate all the free tutoring and advice. I REALLY need to make a donation to Koko.