Fish Store Lady = Stupid

[-germ-]

Male gourami of practically all ssp are territorial and capable of serious aggression, particularly toward males of their own kind.
Dwarves often being regarded as one of the more aggressive gourami. Are they definately dwarves? Their is alot of incorrect labelling in the fish shops.
There are constant comments on mollies and gourami not getting on well together, i don't think the reasons are understood but the fact is that these two species often fight together.
I'd post in the gourami section and enquire about your stocking, i'm sure many people would reiterate what i've said....
You could remove the mollies but this won't reduce the chance of gourami aggression, i'd personally look at getting some females, and going down to one male two females of either the dwarves or 3 spots, along with removing the mollies which in turn would mean less babies to worry about and salt no longer being neccessary (not a livebearer person, can anyone confirm that salt isn't as neccessary for guppies as it is for mollies?).....

 

[rdd1952]

I have a submersible ammonia tester that gives a sort of constant measurement. I do have the 5-in-1 strips because that was was recommended but like I said, I'll be getting a liquid test this afternoon.

Even with the tester you have for ammonia, I would still get a liquid test kit. The type you have usually registers a safe range when in actuality, the only safe range is 0, especially in higher pH water

She said they wouldn't and then mentioned they keep all the males together and they dont fight.

In the store holding tanks, there are so many fish that they don't show aggression. Because of the crowding, they also can't establish territories thus no aggression. That's why you see 20 oscars together in a 20 gallon holding tank. It's a different story when they get into a tank and settle in, thus establishing terrritories.

I wonder how many fish have died as a result of this kind of bad advice.

Unfortunately, that number would probably be too high to count.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Most fish can live and thrive in pH over 8...the only major difference is some softwater species may not be as colorful or be unable to breed. People even keep Discus (a notoriously "delicate" soft water fish), in pH of 8.2

If you still reallllly want to know how to lower your pH...
pH over 8 is difficult to lower because the water has a lot of buffers. Peat moss in the filter, driftwood, and CO2 injection (for plants) are all natural ways to lower pH...but still work better in situations where the water is in the pH 7 range. The only other option is to lower the buffering capacity by removing minerals via filter. RO/DI is popular for this, but the water has to be remineralized in some way (either by commercial product, or mixing with a particular ratio of tap water)...which must be done every time. So it's a huge commitment and extra expense that isn't neccessary unless you want to breed soft water fish.

 

[LukeFishwalker]

I called the fish store and yelled and complained and they agreed to take the fish back even though its supposed to be too late. They said they do not kill the fish but put them in an Isolation take for a few days just to make sure they dont have any deseases, so that's good.

Now I will be able to cycle my tank properly. Thanks again everyone for all the help.

 

[dixiedawn]

Glad they're taking them back and isolating them good luck!!! plenty of sticky threads on fishless cycling, feel free to ask we don't bite honestly

 

[-germ-]

we don't bite honestly

most of us don't.....

 

[dixiedawn]

what you trying to say?

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

*hides eager canines* Nope no biting *looks innocent as possible*

 

[-germ-]

Obviously it depends on the hygiene of the bitee.

 

[community begginer]

Ok, so, I need some help. My wife and I decided to become Aquarists last weekend. Neither of us know what we are doing so we went to Petsmart and asked for some help. We knew there was more to just buying a tank, adding some water and introducing fish so we relied on the "19 year old Fish Expert" to help us out. Big Mistake. She told us to set up the tank (i'll describe my set-up later), wait 24 hours and then come back to buy the fish. We bought the fish, brought 'em home, floated the bags for 20 minutes and eureka we are aquarists. I stumbled upon this forum while trying to research about tank maintenance and after reading a majority of the posts realized my fish are in danger since my tank never properly cycled.

I have a 28 gallon tank (beveled front) with a "hang over the side" filter that came with it. We used all kinds of chemicals to treat our water before we put it in. De-chlorinator, Ph lowerer, bacteria suppliment, water clarifier, aquarium salt. I've been using test strips to test the PH and we have a submersible Ammonia detector. The PH is slightly over 7 and the ammonia has been fine but I'm worried about my fish. I've read a lot and think I have a pretty good idea about cycling but I want to get the real "experts" opinions on how to make this processes as comfortable for my fish as possible.

Right now these are the fish we have:
3 gouramis
5 mollies
5 guppies

Which is about the maximum for my tank, right?

So what do you guys suggest?

I would assume frequent water changes to get the ammonia out and keep the bacteria in (since the majority of bacteria lives in the filter)? Anything else? I have a vaccum that i can use when changing the water - so that should help too, right?

I'm feeling like an irresposible parent right now so any help would be appreciated. Let me know if I didnt give you enough info.

Also - for future reference, if the bacteria live in the filter, what is the proper way to change a filter so as not to get rid of all the bacteria and end up with this same problem?

in teh future... dont trust pet stores yopur better going off to an aqtual aquarium and can get expert advise on stuff that they no much about. i only go to pet stores for dogs and cats and such.... most of teh workers there only no basics and not much else. go to an aquarium and save time and money...... or just post here and ask us for info.... this is your best source of expert advise other than that of an aquarium.

community

 

[backtotropical]

This should come in handy for your fishless cycle.

Fishless Cycle Info

 

[Ilya]

I've got some helpful links in my signature... such as first time plants, fishless cycle, and ideal first time fish for a starter aquarium owner.

 

[LukeFishwalker]

Cycling is complete!!! and it only took 3 weeks! I cranked my heat up to about 84F and it worked like a charm. Thanks guys for all your help. Now I just need some advice on stocking - my tank is 29 gallons, 24 x 14 x 20 so its kinds tall - tall enough for an angelfish?

This is what we are thinking to start with -

1 angelfish
5 neons
5 male guppies
1 swordtail

My wife really likes the guppies and angelfish so any suggestions should include those staying, if possible. Thanks again guys, you are awesome.

 

[CruX]

Some people will say that the angel can eat the neons. It is certainly true, especially if they are introduced together or the angel is introduced first. I have angels in my tank and they have never bothered the neons, which if I am honest I am not bothered if they do as thy are left over from an old tank and have had a good life.

 

[LukeFishwalker]

At the moment the angelfish in the store are very small are too small to eat the neons, right now . . . If I see him bothering them though I'll get something bigger.