Hello, Need Advice (quiet Urgent)

[indigoj]

Test results look good again. Have you given thought to what fish you want?

 

[vincentclive]

Test results look good again. Have you given thought to what fish you want?

when i rehome the bala/gouramis? not really, that was my next question. i obviously want more adequately sized inmates, but i've not researched (in any great detail) the fish that would be happy with the PH and would be happy together, provided my water is suitable neon tetras is a must, i think they're gorgeous little fish, i wanted to build a tank around them, 10-15 of them and then add a couple of other fish, something that's going to feed from the gravel/sand and also look eye catching.

 

[indigoj]

So neons, maybe 6 corydoras for the bottom, perhaps 8 rummy nose tetras for colour contrast and a pair of pearl gourami as a centrepiece?

 

[vincentclive]

So neons, maybe 6 corydoras for the bottom, perhaps 8 rummy nose tetras for colour contrast and a pair of pearl gourami as a centrepiece?

sounds pretty much like what i'd been looking at, the rummy nose were the only ones i hadn't looked at (no reason, just overlooked them)

thanks

 

[waterdrop]

If you went with this plan my feeling would be that in terms of introduction order and time the Rummys and/or Corys (depending on species) would be fine to be worked in first, dragging out the time and waiting as long as possible prior to starting any of the neon/cardinal introductions since they like a 6 month or so mature tank.

I agree that 6 is about minimum for all 3 of these types with any numbers beyond this just making things better and better, although adding numbers to the neons will add least to the bioload, whereas the rummys will eventually get a bit bigger. All 3 types will like the greater numbers but I'd probably give priority to adding more to the rummys and neons as I'd picture the corys doing ok at six.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[vincentclive]

If you went with this plan my feeling would be that in terms of introduction order and time the Rummys and/or Corys (depending on species) would be fine to be worked in first, dragging out the time and waiting as long as possible prior to starting any of the neon/cardinal introductions since they like a 6 month or so mature tank.

I agree that 6 is about minimum for all 3 of these types with any numbers beyond this just making things better and better, although adding numbers to the neons will add least to the bioload, whereas the rummys will eventually get a bit bigger. All 3 types will like the greater numbers but I'd probably give priority to adding more to the rummys and neons as I'd picture the corys doing ok at six.

~~waterdrop~~

thanks mate , i knew about tetras needing a mature tank. i think my plan at the moment is to look at re-housing the gouramis while adding the corys. then re-house the bala and get the pearls, and then add tetras 5 or so at a time. leaving a couple of weeks-a month between each new addition.

checked my finances and it looks like i can afford to get the ex700 this week which is good as the undergravel filtration seems crap and the internal filter doesn't seem very powerful at all

woop, got one for £60 brand new

 

[vincentclive]

didn't check the water yesterday, was to tired after my nightshift and i knew if i checked it and it wasn't good i'd feel compelled to change the water (ignorance = bliss), checked it this morning though;

ammo 0-.25
ni 0
na 40-80

just finished qa 50% water change.

too bloody hot down here

 

[indigoj]

Still not bad, hopefully you are nearly there with it.

 

[vincentclive]

thanks. what stats would show it's time to change? does the amount of nitrates matter so much as the ammonia?

think i'm about to put something up in the MM to move on the gouramis, the little one is pestering the bigger one quite a lot, chasing him round the tank and trying to do their whole kissing/fighting thing which i think wouldn't happen so much in a more populated, bigger tank

 

[indigoj]

LOL don't bet on it - my 2 are in a 6ft and are still like that!

Nitrates are not a real concern unless you have very sensitive fish.

Once the ammonia stays at 0 for 3 consecutive days then you've probably cracked it.

 

[vincentclive]

LOL don't bet on it - my 2 are in a 6ft and are still like that!

Nitrates are not a real concern unless you have very sensitive fish.

Once the ammonia stays at 0 for 3 consecutive days then you've probably cracked it.

thanks chap i'm just surprised that it's the smaller one that's going at it all the time. must be a bit sensitive about his height

 

[vincentclive]

hmmm, think one of my gourami may be on the way out. he's been sitting on the bottom for hours at a time the last 2 days, something very unusual. seems a bit duller as well and doesn't eat much (or as much as the other one) he was sitting on the gravel at an angle about 30 minutes ago and didn't move until i put the net in to fish him out (i was actually that convinced he was dead!).

is it the food i'm feeding him? as far as i'm aware the ex-owner only feed those tetramin flakes which i've continued to feed them. i unwittingly clean the algae off the back of the tank ~(before finding out that they like to eat it) and i've been meaning to try some cucumber and blanched lettuce but shamefully 'hadn't got round to it'

could this be the cause or could it be the sharp transition from dirty tank to clean tank or could it just be age? i'm a bit worried about him but know, in the long run there's not much i can do

he's back sitting in the same place again as i type, still tilted to one side and wont move if i get near the glass.

 

[vincentclive]

well, they're all still alive, i think it may be the heat, cos they're acting how i feel and the tank is 1-2 degrees hotter than normal.

my EX700 turned up, looks much more understated in the tank and frees up a lot of wasted space inside the tank for extra swimming room, silent as well!

 

[waterdrop]

Things seem to be progressing ok. Good luck with your gourami.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[vincentclive]

just thought i'd mention that i've removed the horrible under gravel filter rubbish and switched from gravel to sand, looks much nicer