A New 18 Gallon Tank

[crunch7]

Tank size: 60m x30m x40m

Substrate: Marble and granite pieces

2 gouramis 1 inch each
2 Tiger sharks 2.5 inches each
2 Snails
1 Betta 2.2 inches
1 PLeco 2 inch

Got a brand new Dolphin DH300 hang on Side filter. Occasionally Betta chases the gouramis. So I am planning to get 4 more small gauramis so that not one is under special stress and gouramis can have their shoal. What say.

Since the filter is new. When should i get the water changes done and by how much ?

 

[Fishy friend2]

Take out the gourami or the Betta and also the Pleco too because a Pleco gets to be 2 feet long and a Betta and gourami will kill each other and don't get more gourami

 

[Fishy friend2]

You can put the Betta in the 20 liter that you have and then just take the Pleco back .
and what are tiger sharks?

 

[DavidAl]

Hi crunch,


I would re-home the betta and add one more gourami, assuming it's a dwarf gourami of some kind. However, if your two gouramis are a pair, let them be. If they are a Trichogaster species they will soon need a larger tank.

I'm not sure what kind of sharks you have, but most commonly called sharks end up benefiting from tanks 36" in length of greater.

Your pleco, depending on the species, can fall between 12- and 24" long. I would re-home it as well, but if you decide to keep it for a while, make sure to feed it as a new tank does not yet have an adequate supply of algae.

I'm not familiar with your filter, but being on a new tank, I would not mess with it. Was this tank cycled in any way? Did you have an existing filter and just added a new one? I would base the water changes on whether the tank has been cycled and what the water parameters are, i.e. ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. It's hard to answer this question without knowing where your tank stands, not literally of course!


David

 

[Gvilleguy]

What David said!

If this tank was not cycled you should strongly consider finding the "fish in cycle" thread in the beginner's resource center (link in my signature).

 

[crunch7]

Guys the filter is completely new. its a power filter .Thank god I found a friend online today and I have returned the gouramis and now the no. of occupants have reduced to 6. See the tank is completely new. I have brought all this stuff today.

The filter is a hang on side power filter. There are mechanical, chemical and bio layers in it. However as acknowledged the beneficial bacteria will take atleast three weeks to build.

Q1. So I have resorted to making more frequent water changes. Now I need your suggestion in exactly how frequent should i change the water and by how much ?.

Q2. Also when the water comes out of the power filter is it supposed to create a current(increase the water level) or cause bubbles(lower the water level) ?

Q3. should i have added the snails or not ? what are the merits and demerits of having two snails ?

Q4. I had put two dried basil plant stems just to give the fish better enviroment. But i found some skins floating in the water after some time. SO i have removed them. They looked magnificent though. Is there any method to treat them so that they become usable ?

 

[fizzlesticks]

Basil stems? Definitely not an aquatic plant--they'll just rot, contributing to poisonous ammonia in the water and helping to kill your fish. Take them out.

Refer to the beginner's resource on this forum regarding water changes for a fish-in cycle. Get your hands on a liquid testing kit. You want to change water often enough to keep ammonia levels close to zero.

Also, what kind of shark have you got in there? It can't be a tiger shark... They're 14 foot long and live in the ocean, devouring surfers, etc.

I've just seen that you're the same chap who posted this thread: Suggest Me Some Fish.

You asked for advice on compatible fish and then disregarded it all and bought a bunch anyway? And, by the looks of it, knew you could've done a fishless cycle but decided not to...? I'm very confused.

 

[DavidAl]

Question 1: Invest in a good water testing kit so you can measure the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. The API test kit is a popular one in the U.S. The results will tell you where the tank is at in the cycling process and will also tell you if a water change is needed. You'll want to keep the ammonia at <.25ppm and the nitrites <1ppm. Aquarium salt can also help detoxify nitrites. An even better idea would be to do a fish-less cycle.

Question 2: It depends on your stock, whether they like currents or not, and the stocking level. Highly stocked tanks would benefit from a lowered water level so as to create water turbulence. This splash allows for the interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The gallons-per-hour is equally important as some fish do not like strong currents, gouramis being one of them.

Question 3: Snails are good, if you have algae. Some will even stir up the substrate, not allowing for pockets of hydrogen sulfide. In a new tank, snails will suffer. There is simply not enough detritus and algae for consumption. Some snails will also breed heavily, and that in itself has more cons than pros, IMO, but that's another topic.

Question 4: I'm not sure what a basil plant is, but plants in general are great for aquariums. They consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Aquatic plants will also take up ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, thus helping with the cycle process.


David

 

[crunch7]

Basil stems? Definitely not an aquatic plant--they'll just rot, contributing to poisonous ammonia in the water and helping to kill your fish. Take them out.

Refer to the beginner's resource on this forum regarding water changes for a fish-in cycle. Get your hands on a liquid testing kit. You want to change water often enough to keep ammonia levels close to zero.

Also, what kind of shark have you got in there? It can't be a tiger shark... They're 14 foot long and live in the ocean, devouring surfers, etc.

I've just seen that you're the same chap who posted this thread: Suggest Me Some Fish.

You asked for advice on compatible fish and then disregarded it all and bought a bunch anyway? And, by the looks of it, knew you could've done a fishless cycle but decided not to...? I'm very confused.

Fizzle I did not disregard it, It was the whole atmosphere at the 'HAAT' which had me spellbound; I really found myself acting like a kid. And these local fisherman don`t know any proper english name of the fish leave apart their characteristics, believe me I didnt find any among the group fish had recommended and as for the sharks they where dying under the sun so i brought them.
You have no clue how emotional I am when it comes to my fish (Even though its nearly a month old hobby for me...I`m in too deep).

ALso a universal advice when it comes to your loved ones always listen to your HEART. Logic is secondary to Love.

ALSO NOTE the stems where dry dead stems ? will they still rot ?

 

[HayzH]

they are not an Aquatic plant..so i suggest they dont go in.
i quite understand about saving poor fishies that look at you and want you to take them home. BUT....you have put them in even more danger now..they will grow toooo big for your tank and atm they are gonna be suffering with the effects from the Ammonia thats being produced..if you wanna help the sharks..take them to you local public aquarium, im sure they would love and care for them xx
You really need to cycle that filter, and for the record it can take alot longer than 3 weeks....im on day 41, 36 and 20 something on my tanks with a fishLESS cycle..sometimes fish-IN cycle's take longer.

 

[fizzlesticks]

Fizzle I did not disregard it, It was the whole atmosphere at the 'HAAT' which had me spellbound; I really found myself acting like a kid. And these local fisherman don`t know any proper english name of the fish leave apart their characteristics, believe me I didnt find any among the group fish had recommended and as for the sharks they where dying under the sun so i brought them.
You have no clue how emotional I am when it comes to my fish (Even though its nearly a month old hobby for me...I`m in too deep).

ALso a universal advice when it comes to your loved ones always listen to your HEART. Logic is secondary to Love.

ALSO NOTE the stems where dry dead stems ? will they still rot ?

It's not uncommon to make mistakes out of passion when you're starting out. I did the same. But when you've got the information here already, you're lucky--you can guide your heart with logic, rather than end up killing all your fish accidentally.

Well, the basil isn't dry anymore, is it? It's underwater. It will definitely rot, beginning now. You can grow aquatic plants, but it is no use putting dead herbs in your tank.

 

[laura120381]

hi crunch,

i said that i would message you tonight about the current situation as I was absolutely furious at you today when i spoke to you on fb. Only last night you asked for stocking advice etc and were advised to forget this at the moment and do a fishless cycle. you disregarded this advice.

you asked if you could put a shark in with a betta and were told no. you disregarded this advice.

i have told you in the past (when you bought a pleco for your 20l tank, that subsequently died...no surprise there...) that they need very large tanks with well established filters and strong filtration to deal with waste. so you bought another pleco for an 18g. you disregarded that advice too.

i told you today that gourami could not be kept with bettas and hooray...for once you listened and took the gourami back to the shop.

this does not however solve the problems you still have with the tank....it is not cycled at all. you should have kept the betta in the 20l as was suggested and carried out a fishless cycle. you seem unable to provide any water parameters so i can only assume you do not have a test kit?? not a good idea if you are going to do a fish in cycle. oh and don't put basil in a fish tank...that is for a curry not a decoration!

personally, i am always keen to help out people who are new to the hobby and i even accepted your friend request on facebook. however, you have basically disregarded the advice given by not only myself but other members of the forum. i am at a loss crunch. as for being like a kid at christmas, it won't be that if your fish all die of ammonia poisoning, overstocking or tank mate incompatibility...selfish m8...

please only post questions if you are willing to at least take on board some of the advice given to you both by myself and the members on here who have much more knowledge and experience than me. we don't give out advice that is wrong...we have no reason to. we are trying to help, please try and listen!

L

 

[crunch7]

they are not an Aquatic plant..so i suggest they dont go in.
i quite understand about saving poor fishies that look at you and want you to take them home. BUT....you have put them in even more danger now..they will grow toooo big for your tank and atm they are gonna be suffering with the effects from the Ammonia thats being produced..if you wanna help the sharks..take them to you local public aquarium, im sure they would love and care for them xx
You really need to cycle that filter, and for the record it can take alot longer than 3 weeks....im on day 41, 36 and 20 something on my tanks with a fishLESS cycle..sometimes fish-IN cycle's take longer.

Well said, That is exactly what I am planning to do, check the pictures out you will get my point.

http/img835.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=20111010001617574.jpg

As soon as they are fit and get significantly bigger than what they are they will be donated to a better place. Also I have put in some mature media from my earlier filter though i can`t be sure if there are any beneficial bacteria now. It was submersed in the orignal tank water though. I am keeping my finger crossed and i do have faith that things will go along FINE

Also please tell me what are these shark types? and whats the name of these snails ? hope they are no trouble.

 

[fizzlesticks]

As soon as they are fit and get significantly bigger

Unlikely in a tank where cycling is occurring and there may be aggression between species.

 

[laura120381]

+1