Stocking Advice for Paludarium
Hello all! I've been seeing heavily conflicting opinions on this, and want to get opinions before I would make a terrible mistake.
I would love to add shrimp to this tank for some more life in the water, but I'm unsure if this would be a very bad idea. I do not want to abuse any animals. I'm almost certain fish would not thrive in this tank.
This is a 10 gallon tank with about 2 gallons of water in it, as I can't make it too deep for my fire belly toads. It has heavy salvinia cover but no floor plants yet, with Fluval Shrimp and Plant substrate. I use the 10 gallon sponge filter from top fin, which I'm struggling to find proper specs for.
As you can see, I have three fire belly toads in the tank, so I would prefer a small, bottom-dwelling species so they don't, well, try to eat it.
If you all say it's a no-go, I'm perfectly happy to keep it a toad-only tank. I would, however, love plant suggestions as well! I unfortunately am clueless there, only that I would like any coldwater species, preferably one I can bury in the substrate.
TL;DR Tank Parameters/Specs:
PLEASE NOTE: Tank is still cycling! I would not add ANYTHING with the current parameters!
Temperature: 70F, varies currently but looking into getting an adjustable heater for winter.
Lighting: Plant grow light that is on between 8 and 12 hours daily.
Ammonia: 3.0 (will get down to 0 before stocking)
Nitrate: 80 (will get down before stocking)
Nitrite: High (will get down before stocking, couldn't tell exact numbers here)
Hardness: 150
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: 0
pH: 6.8
Size: 10in depth, 20in long, 2in height. About 2 gallons.
Filter: Top fin sponge filter 10gal
Substrate: Fluval Shrimp and Plant
Other Animals: Fire Belly Toad x3
Plants: Salvinia cover (would love to add more, but need advice)
Let me know what you all think! I've seen some saying "yes, shrimp would be perfect" and others saying "absolutely not", so I need to know before I get anybody!