Heater, Filter, Lights?

[flyingfishgal]

Hi, am completely new to this fish thing. Got 2 Ballon Mollies yesterday but am a bit worried about them, - do they need a heater? the guy in the shop said that all the sources say that they do; but in reality they dont because they are cold water fish. Also they r supposed to "kiss" your finger, well they dont, in the shop they did but as soon as we got them home they wouldnt. The water has gone a bit cloudy too.
We have an 11gallon tank and only have 2 Ballon Mollies (1male and 1 female who is pregnant) in there (with 2 plants) Please help - i dont want the fish to die as they were a birthday pressie for my littl sis.
Thanx, Lucy xxx

 

[lady_tanksalot]

what lighting and filtration you got in there, i have balloon mollies in my community tank at school and have it heated

did you cycle your tank and have you tested the water for amonia nitrites and nitrates?

 

[flyingfishgal]

I dont fully understand what "cycleing" the tank is - so probably not
No i havent tested the water either. How do you do this? Actually thinking about it the lighting hasnt come yet so we only have a filter @ da mo.
The filter is an "Elite Mini Underwater Filter system" Thats the only info. i can get off the box. Thanx, Lucy xxx

 

[lady_tanksalot]

ok check out some of the posts in the begginers questions section. there is loads of useful info there

for a filter to work it needs bacteria, its the bacteria that breaks down the fish waste, but this takes time to develop. so what you have at the moment is an uncycled tank, you can cycle a tank with or without fish but you will need to do it with fish now that they are in there.

you can buy a test kit to test your water or your lfs will probably do it for you but they might make a small charge.

i don't know the elite filters but check that it's big enough for the tank, it should say on the box what size tank its suitable for.

we've all started as begginers lucy and found loads of useful info here, so read lots of the posted topics they're very informative

tanks x

 

[flyingfishgal]

Tanks!! Was a bit panicked! mmm the filter came with the tank so it sould be big enuf. My dad and sis hav gone back 2 the shop where we bought them now to ask their advice so it sould be sorted out soon,
thanx for your help,
Lucy xxx

 

[lady_tanksalot]

no probs lucy

good luck

 

[OohFeeshy]

You can buy all in one test kits which are much cheaper than buying individually. In the UK they are about £10 for 50 tests.

 

[Slyspy]

They may not be as accurate though. That said I use an all-in-one test for regular checks and only use specific tests if the general one suggests a problem.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Would a 25 watt heater be OK for my 11 litre tank? Only the label on the box said it is suitable for 12 lires to 20, will it be OK?

 

[ioNightShade]

Would a 25 watt heater be OK for my 11 litre tank? Only the label on the box said it is suitable for 12 lires to 20, will it be OK?

Yes.

JT

 

[flyingfishgal]

Hi there again! I just thort you might like to know everything is gr8 now. We bought a heater (more xpensive than the fish, filter and tank put together but u no!....) and the fish are now swimming around so much happier - have you noticed how they smile and frown? Yeah, theyre a lot more active and r so cute!
Ta for now, Lucy xxx

 

[lady_tanksalot]

good to hear it's going well