My Fish Tank And It's Owners

[randallhart]

I would go with one or two angels if that's your only options.

 

[three-fingers]

I'd go for one angel or the rainbow shark, small groups of angels can be problematic sometimes.

 

[slakey]

I'm going for the Rainbow Shark

 

[randallhart]

So then what's the final stocking going to be?

 

[slakey]

1 Rainbow Shark
6 Tiger Barbs (would they fit?)
My current pleco

 

[three-fingers]

I'f it were me I would try the tiger barbs, but if it looks like it's getting a little cramped in there be prepared to re-home them when they are larger, they are pretty active fish so obviously the more room the better.

I have 7 in a 190 litre corner tank, but I've decided I'll have to re-home some of my odd fish to give the tigers room when they are larger. Having said that, my tank is heavily stocked as it it, and will possibly be over stocked when the fish grow so I'd be moving some fish anyway.

There's other better suited fish like zebra danios, or smaller barbs such as pentazona barbs, which look like tiger barbs but get about an inch smaller and aren't as boisterous .

 

[slakey]

ok thanks for the information

just need a fish that will go well with a Rainbow Shark.

I was thinking some Black Neon Tetras but the tetra disease has made my think otherwise.

But something along the lines of tetra's that aren't actually tetra's... do you know what I mean?

 

[slakey]

Water Test Results for the 125:

pH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0.25 - 0.50
Nitrite: 2.0 - 5.0
Nitrate: 40 - 80

How can I get down my Nitrite and Nitrate?
It tells me in the book to get API Nitra-Zorb. If I do get this, where does it go in my filter?

 

[kamber]

How can I get down my Nitrite and Nitrate?
It tells me in the book to get API Nitra-Zorb. If I do get this, where does it go in my filter?

You can get some nitrite reducing filter media to help and u can get nitrate reducing reducing media as well in the form of sponges or bagged media. Its not really going to help in the long run though, the nitrite will go down on its own when your bacteria colony gets established properly and for this to happen you're going to need some levels of nitrite (as the bacteria lives off nitrite) if you have some mature media put this in your filter to help the bacteria start up. As for the nitrate you will need to do some partial water changes to reduce this. If you have fish in this tank and you need to keep them in there, I'd suggest frequent water changes of 30-40% it may take longer for the bacteria to multiply but at least your fish will be better off.

 

[slakey]

thanks.

2 days ago I done pretty much a full tank water change, only living 3-4inches of water left in the tank...

would that perhaps be why the readings are high?

 

[kamber]

Probably wouldn't have helped doing a water change that big, but its definately not cycled, fishless u don't have to change the water its going to be quicker as well.

I just read that you have stuck some danios in there to cycle it. I think most people do a fishless cycle nowadays, if anything is going to survive tho it'll be danios, i read they were used in nuclear experiments and were one of the few fish that survived. I'd pull em out if u can and just feed the tank with flake and or prawns and leave it for a few weeks and keep testing it, it'll cycle properly then and when ammonia and nitirite are 0 u can chuck a few fish in there.

Its up to you, but i wouldn't be suprised if you loose the danios if the ammonia and nitrite go any higher or stay at that level for any length of time, then your cycle is going to crash anyway.... (unless i suppose u left the dead fishes in there).


p.s. ask your lfs for some sponge or media from a tank and stick it in the filter (make sure its kept in water in a bag, don't let it dry out on the way home) then you're good to go. (test after a couple of days obviously)

 

[slakey]

grrr i just recently put a baby plec in there as my mum thinks my tank is fine should never listen to here. good thing i didn't buy some angels!!! the only other place I can put the danios would be in the 9gal that is a guppy tank

in the cycling tank there's 6 zebra's, baby plec, 2 male guppies and loads of guppy fry
I'd be greatly overstock if I put them all in the 9gal mini pentagon

should i try and buy some water treatments tomorrow?
if so which ones?

 

[kamber]

grrr i just recently put a baby plec in there as my mum thinks my tank is fine should never listen to here. good thing i didn't buy some angels!!! the only other place I can put the danios would be in the 9gal that is a guppy tank

in the cycling tank there's 6 zebra's, baby plec, 2 male guppies and loads of guppy fry
I'd be greatly overstock if I put them all in the 9gal mini pentagon

should i try and buy some water treatments tomorrow?
if so which ones?

When the tank is cycled you'll get 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite readings nitrate isn't so important as these two. You can reduce the ammonia risk / issue by lowering the ph below 7 its then in its non ionized form and not harmful to the fish, perhaps add some bog wood (i know my bog wood has my ph to around 6.4) out of the tap its 7-7.2 by no means go and dump a load of ph down in your tank tho! Its something which could have been done from the off to help.

I'd get some mature filter media from the lfs or someone in the area (if the lfs won't give u any) then ask people buying stuff in the shop, just say "excuse me, i've just started a tank off and i was wondering could i have some matured media to help start it off please") most people will be happy to give u a bit of sponge or some noodles. Add that to your filter and your on your way.

Let us know how u get on. Hopefully you won't loose any of the fish.

 

[slakey]

I have mopani wood, is that any use? It's been boiling for 2 and 1/2 days.

EDIT: Mopani Wood is going in tonight, once the water in the bucket is cold.

 

[kamber]

I have mopani wood, is that any use? It's been boiling for 2 and 1/2 days.

EDIT: Mopani Wood is going in tonight, once the water in the bucket is cold.

Apparently mopani wood is driftwood not sure if it alters ph, it'll probably stain your water, should be ok if you have lots of carbon in your filter though. Certainly won't do any harm as from what i've read most woods release nutrients into the water.

Did you manage to get hold of any mature media?