Another new guy

[Organized Chaos]

Hello, I am just starting out with a tank in my classroom. I teach Biology, and am having fun with my tank. Here is what I have:

20 gallon tank
1 Snowflake Eel
3 Bala Sharks
2 Electric Yellow Affrican Chicilids

I know this might be alot for the tank, but right now they are small, and I plan on setting up another 20 gal. once the sharks start growing.

I will get some pics up so you can see what I have, but what do you think so far?

 

[cassandra]

yah i would plan to get another tank, but that sounds like a good tank keep me updated to your new buddies!!!

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

Looks pretty cool. I really like biology teachers lol. My teacher right now has a tank and that made me want to get a tank. Im getting a 10 gallon tommorow and im really excited.

 

[tribalsilver_shark]

just to let you know my own honest op is that you shouldnt have those 3 bala sharks in such small tank.
there very fast active fish and just becuase there small moho is that they still should not be in such a small place .
those 3 i would hav in atleast a 4 ft 40-50 gallon tank untill they grow to 1 foot then transport them into a 8-10 foot 180 240 gallon tank

but i must say well done looks very nice i like it and welcoem to the forum

 

[Organized Chaos]

How would the sharks do in a 20 gal long tank? that is what I have to move them into as they grow.that would prob. be the only thing in the tank. I bought these before I knew too much about them and cant really afford a bigger tank yet. Thanks for the help.

 

[freshmike]

I agree that you will definately need a bigger tank in the future! However she looks good for now!!!!!
<- bala sharks........

 

[tribalsilver_shark]

if your asking for my opinion ill give it but PLEASE dont feel bad many people wil disagree.
i would not think of adding them to 20 gallon a full grown bala will be 1 half foot long your tank looks 2 ft =no room
if yo been watching them you will notice they FAST fellors and very avtice so even tho there smal they still need alot of space then when growing they need HUGE space


my opinion for those 3 you have now 4ft 44 -50 gallon
within 2 yrs should be around 1 foot 6-8 foot 80 120 gallon
fully grown 8-10 foot 140 gallons atleast they will be near 2 foot long !!
so give them 6 foot to swim same as giveing a 5 inch fish a 3ft

 

[tribalsilver_shark]

Can i ask how long has your tank been running did you do fishless cycle or cycle with fish as i dont seem to see anf fish you could have cycled with

i only ask this as i see your eil isnt to well and maybe your tank isnt finished maturing ?

also i just took little look at the electric yellow to make sure there ok for your tank also for you and here is a little i find out hope it can help
Common Names: Electric Yellow
Synonyms:
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Lake Malawi, Africa
Main Ecosystem: Rift Lake
Temperament: Peaceful. Can be semi-agressive when spawning.
Diet: Ominvore
Care: Feed flakes and brine shrimp. A large tank is not required and will often compliment a community tank. The water should contain Malawi cichlid salt and a high pH. Caves are very important as well as a sandy or fine gravel substrate.

i notice you dont have many caves but the size of the tank couldnt hold much so could some 1 with some knowledge on cichilds tell me if the tank is big enough thanks

 

[Organized Chaos]

The tank is new, and I let it run for 12 days before I started adding fish. I kept an eye onall the levels during this time. I have only had teh fish for about a week, and that is what the eel looked like when I got it. I'm not sure what ist is supposed to look like, so . What would you suggest?

As for caves, I am in the process of finding something better, that is the number one thing on my list. I will probably be adding at least two caves and removing some of the other stuff to reduce the stress on the eel.

Any other suggestions would be helpful. I want them to succeed, thays why I came here. Let me know what you think.

 

[Alien Anna]

The tank is new, and I let it run for 12 days before I started adding fish. I kept an eye onall the levels during this time. I have only had teh fish for about a week, and that is what the eel looked like when I got it. I'm not sure what ist is supposed to look like, so . What would you suggest?

Hi,
I would bet your tank is not cycled and to save me explaining what I mean by that (because I'm sure you'll immediately know what I'm on about when I do so), please follow the link in my sig and have a read of my article. That will explain what needs to happen in your tank and how to get it there (hopefully) without losing any fish.

 

[tribalsilver_shark]

i have to agee sounds like your tank isnt cycled
it take atleast 6 week to cycle your tank completly and well my oho is that those fish are to fragile to be put in your tank yet.
they may be suffering from spikes of nitrite and nitrate

but instanlty NOW do a 25% water change incase and do all tests you can then get back to us

 

[Phase2]

Like the red gravel....nice touch....

 

[Organized Chaos]

but instanlty NOW do a 25% water change incase and do all tests you can then get back to us

I ran the tests and here is what came out:
pH - 7.6
Nitrite - 0.25
Ammonia - 7.0
Alkalinity - 107.4
General Hardness - 214.8

I already had salt in the tank (not enough to make it brackish) and I did a 25% water change. I will continue to do tests every day and do a 20%-25% water change every day.

Thanks for helping me out with this, I don't want to loose any fish, or stress them too much.

 

[Alien Anna]

I ran the tests and here is what came out:
pH - 7.6
Nitrite - 0.25
Ammonia - 7.0
Alkalinity - 107.4
General Hardness - 214.8

I already had salt in the tank (not enough to make it brackish) and I did a 25% water change. I will continue to do tests every day and do a 20%-25% water change every day.

Cycling the tank can be a hairy process but you're doing everything you can so good luck. Come back to us if we can help further.

 

[smyth19]

Welcome aboard to a great site!!