I'm thinking of investing $1k into BTC as its low risk but I would like to risk the the other $500 with a coin that I can make quick money with it
You have made a good decision to invest in bitcoin, at least the larger portion of your money. If you even invest invest all you have in bitcoin, it is still the best decision, because of its prospects. However, investing in other altcoins can also make you some good profits, but this is where you need to know the right one to invest in. This is also where people have lost their money. So choosing from the top 10 is somewhat good.