Hello And Looking For Advice....

[rodandalisonthompson]

Hi there!

Im new to tropical fish but am really getting into it. Im from North Wales by the way and would love to meet others in the area with similar interest.

I thought I would let you all know about my disastrous introduction (and ask a few questions)!

I started with a 20l tank which I bought cheap (£24.99) from my local supermarket. I then visited my local fish shop which gave me all the "professional" advice I needed. Suffice to say I ended up with 2 zebra tetras, 2 rainbow sharks, 6 neons, 2 black widows, 2 silvertips and a goldfish. Im sure there are quite a few people reading this who dont need me to say what happened next.....the fish started to eat each other (black widows were vicious!), the tank smelt quite badly and they all died apart from 1 zebra tetra! At the end the water in the tank was almost white. I knew nothing of water maturing, conditioning etc. and looking back I feel rather embarrassed.
After doing my research I found out the reputation of my local fish shop (or lack off) - they were well known for their dodgy dealings and lack of knowledge. They certainly saw me coming!

I located another stockist slightly further afield that has won a few awards from PFK magazine (which I bought my first issue today not that I understand most of it!) and seems to really know his stuff. After having a long chat with the owner and looking at the kind of fish I liked to get I decided to fork out some money (my choice entirely) and get some decent equipment - it was clear that a 20l tank isnt really up to handling the type of fish I like!

I bought a Jewel Rio 125l and cabinet (i preferred the dual lighting to the Rekord 120) and the Jewel simulated rock background tiles. I must say that patience is not one of my strong points but I made myself to do it properly.....I got some nice driftwood that soaked for a week in boiling water until the water went clear, I waited 3 days for the vinegar smell to disappear from the tank after sticking the background in with silicon sealant and I conditioned the water with sera aquatan and nitrivec. I took the decision to go for real plants and I used the sera substrate under a fine gravel (which I washed first!). I absolutely hate backgrounds on rolls, plastic plants, luminous gravel and ornaments of little treasure chests and deep sea divers - I want to get something that looks like a natural habitat. Ive been quite heavy on the planting (IMO) but i do like the plants and the fish seem to like darting in and out.
My first fish were 2 glass cats, 2 dwarf rainbow blue somethings and 2 other fish that Ive forgotted the name off but they are very similar to the dwarf rainbow blue (something tetra).
I was then told that I would not be sold any more fish until the NO2 level reached 0!

Once the NO2 level reached 0 (and waited a few days and retested) I have added a Gold Nugget Plec (rather expensive fish but really nice to watch) and 2 shark cats.

So far my water is clear, Ive had no casualties, the fish are getting along (for now) and the plants are thriving. Ive signed up today for the OATA Filtration and Fish Biology courses which I hope will be a good starting point (a bargain at only £4.99 each). I have noticed that if there are two different ways of doing something you can usually find six different answers on the internet !

I decided to go for slightly larger fish second time around - ive noticed that a lot of the more interesting fish would consider a neon to be lunch!
The small 20l tank has however been set up again properly this time and now contains some smaller fish - it now has as much fish as I want to have in it with 2 mollies, 2 guppys, a golden tetra and a zebra tetra (the original survivor who we now call "lucky"). This is my sons tank and his has the background on a roll and the plastic plants

My questions if I may....

1. I have a little bit of a problem with algae on the driftwood - im not sure how often to have the light for the best interests of the fish and optimal plant growth. Will my Gold Nugget Plec eat the algae?
2. Although its sorted now I had a lot of problems with grasses coming loose and floating to the surface. They have all taken root now but it was a pain replanting the smaller grasses every morning...any tips?
3. The glass cats are never seen! They seem very very shy fish - is this normal!
4. Obviously being a beginner (though learning quickly!) I have had to take recommendations from the shop on fish choice. Does anyone have any comments regarding the choice of fish and their compatibility?
5. What should I add next? I really love plecs and catfish - would love to add a Royal Plec next. Im thinking of another 3 or 4 fish and then stopping - is that about right?

I am really enjoying the whole experience and I want to learn as much as I can and do things right!

Some pictures of my tanks.....

Ive created a slate cave on the left with some loose stones and grasses around the entrance which the fish seem to like and Ive got a really nice bit of driftwood as you can see on the right. All comments would be appreciated.


Roderick

 

[BigIan]

1. I have a little bit of a problem with algae on the driftwood - im not sure how often to have the light for the best interests of the fish and optimal plant growth. Will my Gold Nugget Plec eat the algae?
2. Although its sorted now I had a lot of problems with grasses coming loose and floating to the surface. They have all taken root now but it was a pain replanting the smaller grasses every morning...any tips?
3. The glass cats are never seen! They seem very very shy fish - is this normal!
4. Obviously being a beginner (though learning quickly!) I have had to take recommendations from the shop on fish choice. Does anyone have any comments regarding the choice of fish and their compatibility?
5. What should I add next? I really love plecs and catfish - would love to add a Royal Plec next. Im thinking of another 3 or 4 fish and then stopping - is that about right?


Roderick

Welcome aboard, sounds like you`ve had a baqptism of fire....

1) a Photo period \9time the lights are on for) of 8-10 hrs is ok, if you have alge try turningit down.

2) a pair of tweesers usualt helps here

3) can`t help there i`ve never kept them

4) generaly good community fish are, platys, molys (although they would need a little salt in the water) most tetras, rasboras and danios, just have a look around for what you can get.

Also let me introduce you the ONE INCH PER GALLON GUIDELINE
I say guideline as its an often argued item on here....
Basicly you cound one inch of adult fish per US gallon(4.5ltr) of water in your tank
so 6 neon tetras who grow to 1 inch long would be 6 gallons of tank taken up.
HOWEVER larger fish such as angels oscars, discus ect polute the watter much more
I.E 1 12: oscar will polute the water much more than 12 1" tetras......



5) not for your tank Plecs are messy sods, and polute the water alot qand the royal plec is of a subspecies called "panque" and these fish mostly eat wood and so poo sawdust wich again really messes with the water chemistry.

i also suggest you read THIS

hope this helps

 

[45 gallon tank]

i don't recommend that you buy those plecs they're as messy as gold fish and really get your nitrates to levels at which your fish might not survive. anyway what kind of fish do you have in your tank so far? And how many gallons is your tank if you do i might be able to help you.

sorry for the miss spelling i meant nitrites.

 

[rodandalisonthompson]

i don't recommend that you buy those plecs they're as messy as gold fish and really get your nitrates to levels at which your fish might not survive. anyway what kind of fish do you have in your tank so far? And how many gallons is your tank if you do i might be able to help you.

sorry for the miss spelling i meant nitrites.

I currently have 2 glass cats, 2 dwarf rainbow blue somethings and 2 other fish that Ive forgotted the name off but they are very similar to the dwarf rainbow blue (something tetra), a Gold Nugget Plec and 2 shark cats.

 

[Underwurlde]

Adding a lighting siesta may (I stress may) help reduce Algae. Get a mains timer for your lights and set it to something like 4hrs on, 2 hrs off, 4 hrs on.

Some people say it works, other say there is no evidence of etc. etc.

For me, it appeared to make a big difference.

Andy

 

[Miss Wiggle]

1. I have a little bit of a problem with algae on the driftwood - im not sure how often to have the light for the best interests of the fish and optimal plant growth. Will my Gold Nugget Plec eat the algae?
2. Although its sorted now I had a lot of problems with grasses coming loose and floating to the surface. They have all taken root now but it was a pain replanting the smaller grasses every morning...any tips?
3. The glass cats are never seen! They seem very very shy fish - is this normal!
4. Obviously being a beginner (though learning quickly!) I have had to take recommendations from the shop on fish choice. Does anyone have any comments regarding the choice of fish and their compatibility?
5. What should I add next? I really love plecs and catfish - would love to add a Royal Plec next. Im thinking of another 3 or 4 fish and then stopping - is that about right?

great tanks, they look really nice!!

well you've obviously learnt the first rule of fishkeeping, don't trust the man in the shop, do your own research!! sorry it's been so hard for you but it sounds like your on the rigth path now!



1 - not 100% sure sorry!
2 - when you get new plants just leave them with the weights on (take the rockwoll off) sat in your tank for a couple of weeks, they will grow decent roots in this period and you'll then be able to plant them much easier
3 - yes, they're definately shy, i think they prefer to be in bigger groups, do a bit of research and you'll find out, cool fish though
4 - keep a close eye on the gold nugget, while they are beautiful fish they are a little delicate, they're not really recommended for tanks under 6 months old, however the most fatalities are usually with 24hrs of them going into the tank so if it's got past that you should be OK, however you must be fastiduous with your tank maintenance to keep the water conditions tip top for it other than that i think your OK!
5 - a royal is a bit of a bad idea as they're so messy, there are loads of other plecs you can look into though, there's a good pinned topic in the plec section, it gives details of 30 plecs suitable for small tanks as my other half said, you work out your stocking on the inch per gallon rule, remember to do it on the adult sizes of the fish. the best way to learn is by trying so work it out yourself then post what your proposed stocking will be and we'll let you know if it's OK

good luck and happy fishkeeping!

 

[Nerwign]

I would definately recommend getting 4 more glass cats. Everything I've read says that they are schooling fish and really want to be in large numbers. They grow to about 3inches long (if you want to use the "inch per gallon" rule as a general measure to make sure you do not overstock your tank too much).

I really wanted these glass cats but I don't think they would like my water type so I will be getting other kinds of fish. I hope yours do well, they are amazing and beautiful fish!

-Nerwign

 

[dwarfgourami]

The glass catfish are well known for needing to be in groups of 6 or more and can apparently easily die from stress if kept singly or in pairs. Tetras and rainbows are also schooling fish.

I would not add another plec to this tank. Plecs are heavy waste producers, and some golden nuggets grow quite big (the name covers about 3 species, I believe). A royal plec would need a much bigger tank and super-heavy filtration.

The ones you will need to watch are your shark catfish- they will certainly outgrow your tank; depending on what species they are they can get to two foot and above; and if they are arius seemanni, they are brackish fish anyway.

 

[themissingelf]

Hi,

What does the algae look like? Colour etc...

Floating grass - bury it in a deep hole and then pull it up so that the crown is just below the gravel level. This should mean that the roots are nicely anchored in the gravel. You could also try dropping a small stone in to the center of the plant until the roots really take hold (the stone needs to be small enough not to damage the grass and, the ability for the grass to hold on to it largely depends on the type of grass - it needs to cup it).

Which fish - I'm a Cherry Barb, Otto, Siamensis person - not best placed to advise I'm afraid.

 

[fatguppy]

Glass cats are desperately shy. Although they are schooling fish I now have 3 - having bought 4 and one gave up the ghost.

However, having had them for about 10 months, they are suddenly becoming less shy and testing the water (pun intended) and are coming out into the open more.

It seems a damned shame that such beautiful fish are so difficult to see, however, be patient and you may be lucky and they will become less shy.

Ours also come out as soon as they light goes off, however this is not very helpful! Certainly I would suggest at least 4 if you've room. They do grow quite large.

Good luck