Can You Help Please

[andrew82]

hi i started a fish tank 3 weeks ago its a small one dnt no the size at the mo i left the water wiv bubble blower heater and filter on for a week and a half then got 2 neon rainbow to go in it after 2 days i got 8 male guppies then 2 days later got 2 more guppies 2 sucking loach on tuesday i got 4 zebra danio and they had this beautiful red siamese fighter which i bought .
also on monday i got hold of a big tank ill have to get the size ifill this one wiv sand 4 plants filter and heater im going to stick the other fish in when the water has setled
what i would realy like to know is there anything that would help keep the sand clean i would realy like some hurmit crabs but dnt no if i can
i have freshwater tanks
are my choice of fish any good


thanks cliff

 

[Durbkat]

Hermit crabs aren't underwater animals and it takes sand alittle while to settle down and that is WAY to many fish in that tank and those sucking loaches will outgrow that tank in no time at all. So return alot of those fish because some of those fish don't go well together, not to be rude but you should have done your research before buying so many fish for such a small tank with fish that don't go together. So return all fish except maybe the betta (siamese fighter) ASAP. Because you shoudn't have done that. And those neon rainbows might also get to big for the tank also never heard of them before. And zebra danios need a bigger tank than that because they are very active fish and need room. And no your choice of fish aren't good. So once you return these fish (the only thing you can do) because the sucking loaches get to be 18" long and need a size tank of at least 75 gallons. Not to be rude again but you made a bad choice and I hope you will return these fish except the betta because he will be ok.

 

[sylvia]

There's a lot I'd like to say but, as I am incredibly tired right now, just read through the links in my signature. It sounds like you did not cycle before adding these fish and you did add a lot at once. It's very likely that you will be experiencing certain problems during the next few weeks which can only be reduced by frequent water changes. Your choice of fish may be suitable if you have a large enough tank for all of them as you do have quite a lot. Deffinately don't add anything more. The sucking loaches, however, are a very bad choice and you should return them while you still can. They grow big and get rather aggressive as they mature. They are known for sucking the slime coat off other fish and often suck out the eyes as well. Not nice. Once again, read through the links in my signature and try your best to understand cycling. Then feel free to ask questions about anything you are unsure of or didn't understand.

 

[Angel Lady]

Have you got the size of your tank yet. But I am thinking that from what you named off you possibly are going to have to many fish in a tank that isnt cycled yet.. Are they any way you could take your fish back to lfs.Because they will not survive the cycling period..They are some articles here at top of the page on cycling please read them..

here is a link to what you really need to do
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

 

[andrew82]

Hi yes the tank is a 5 gallon tank and i have estimated that my larger tank is approximatly 30 gallons. i went to 3 local aquariums and not one mentioned anything about cycling the tanks. after buying the loaches i discovered how bg they get and that they are aggressive. i tried to return them to the shop as they were wrong to sell me 2 especially when i told them of the size of my tank. but they wont accept them back i am currently trying to find a home for both of them. I have read the info about cycling the tanks bt am still a bit unsure what to do i have the large tank set up with a filter sand and 4 plants which currently has no fish in. how do i cycle the other tank with the fish in other than reducing the amount of food i give them and adding plants? i am going to try a different aquarium tomorrow and see if they can give me some advice as i asked at the others and not one mentioned anything about cycling. Any help would be greatfully received. would it be best to seperate some of the fish itno 2 seperate tanks to reduce the ammonia level in the small tank?

 

[Angel Lady]

I hope someone agrees with me on this one.. I would worry about getting the 30 gallon cycled so the best thing you can do is a fishless cycle on the 30 gallon. Did you read the link on a fishless cycle??? I would do big water changes in the 5 gallon daily and keep the fish in it til I got the 30 gallon cycled. I know it isnt good for the fish to be over crowded but it isnt good for them to live in a tank while it is cycling either.. I think you will have a big mess other wise. You arent going to get the 5 gallon to cycle with that many fish in it to start with.. You are going to have a big mess on your hands and you will probally lose some fish. But this way I think they may stand a chance. with the big water changes they might just be ok till you get the 30 gallon cycled.. I hope someone agrees with me..

 

[Angel Lady]

Here is the link that you need on cycling. I hope this helps Please let me know what you decide
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

 

[modernhamlet]

after buying the loaches i discovered how bg they get and that they are aggressive. i tried to return them to the shop as they were wrong to sell me 2 especially when i told them of the size of my tank. but they wont accept them back i am currently trying to find a home for both of them.

What store was this? Any fish store that intentionally misleads you into a purchase and then does not take back the fish deserves being noted by the community...

 

[rdd1952]

I hope someone agrees with me on this one.. I would worry about getting the 30 gallon cycled so the best thing you can do is a fishless cycle on the 30 gallon.

Normally, I would definitely agree but under the circumstances, with (by my best count) 2 neon rainbows, 10 guppies (fry to follow), 2 CAEs, 4 danios and a betta in a 5 gallon tank, I don't think he has any choice but to move everything except the betta and maybe the rainbows into the 29 gallon ASAP (provided they can't be returned). Everything will surely die if they are left in the 5 gallon as there will be enormous ammonia and nitrite spikes. Even in the 29 gallon, the levels are going to get very high as that's even too many fish to try to cycle that size tank with.

Edit: My advice would be to order some Bio-Spira online and use it on the 29 gallon. I haven't tried it but understand that it works well.

 

[Angel Lady]

That was going to be my next suggestion. Is buy some biro spira that stuff is great I got some and it cycled my cichlid tank overnite. I Was thinking that he could change the water everyday in the five gallon. And stand a half way chance of getting them to live. While the 30 gallon cycled. This is a big mess. That is the reason I research stuff before I buy. I hate these lfs stores for what they do to people who has never kept fish before, I couldnt send fish out the door knowing whats going to happen to them in a tank that isnt cycled..

 

[rdd1952]

Unfortunately, most LPS (and I think the LPS are more of a problem the true LFS) are just like every other business in the US (probably applys worldwide), they simply don't properly train employees. Even the company I work for falls into that catagory. They give new employees a bare minimum of training (just enough to make them dangerous) and turn them lose. I will say the Petsmart near where I work does have a few knowledgable people and they have a book that they can look up info on fish (not sure how accurate it is though).

As for this situation, I think Bio-Spira is the best answer. If I truely understand how it works (add bio-spira and fish at same time?), he could immediately move the fish over to the 30 gallon tank and avoid a LOT of water changes.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi cliff

Welcome to the forum!

Please don't feel bad because you have gotten off on the wrong foot with what is really a wonderful hobby. It happens all the time and our members will help you get through they cycling and on the right track. It's a shame, but the same thing that happened to you has happened to many of them too.

One of the first things you need to do is locate a good independently owned lfs (local fish store). By this I mean one that is not part of a chain. Even if you have to travel a bit to find one it will be worth the effort. Get to know some of the employees if you can. This will take a little time, but their advice, once they know your aquarium, will be invaluable. They know their fish and local water conditions and will advise you accordingly.

Next get a good set of liquid test kits. You will need ones for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte. A pH kit is optional, but since you won't be monitoring this, you don't need it at this point. A real fish store will also carry BioSpira. This is actual bacteria that is stored in a refrigerator. There is no other product quite like it, although many places will try to sell you other products to help cycle. Don't bother with them.

If you cannot get BioSpira, the next best thing to do is try to get some bacteria. If you have a friend or relative with a tank, they can help you by giving you some of their filter media or even some used sand or gravel. Keep it wet and get it into your tank or filter as soon as possible. This will give the cycle a head start. Instead of waiting for them to grow naturally, the ones you have added will start reproducing right away. You might even consider contacting your local aquarium society for help with this.

Then research and read. It's going to take some time and work, but you will eventually be delighted with the results.

I hope to see more of your posts and wish you the best of luck!

 

[andrew82]

I am currently doing a fish cycle on my larger tank i have removed some fish from my small tank and am currently cycling that one by doing frequent water changes and using some bacteria bought from an aquarium that actaully knew something about cycling. my fish seem alot better and i have got rid of both of the sucking louches. I have noticed that my red siamese fighting fish is changing colour in places from red to blue i have looked at some others and they appear to be doing this too. could anyone tell me why as i have had a look on the internet but can't find out why. is it normal? as this is my favourite fish! and i'd like to say thank you to eveyone for the advice about cycling my tanks!

 

[Durbkat]

Are you that person that had like 8 or 9 fish like danios and guppies and such in a 5 or 10 gallon tank? Well if your betta is changing color it just does that as it gets older.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi cliff

It sounds like you have learned a lot about keeping fish in a very short time! Keep up the good work and just try to have patience. That's often the hardest part.

If you ask here, the members who specialize in bettas will answer your question about your siamese fighter.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=5