My New Addition !

[Liverbird36]

I wanted to get my 6 neons and 6 Glowlights but they will only allow you to buy a maximum of 6 in one go. You can buy as many other fish as you like but not Tetras. You then have to wait at least 2 days before they will then sell you any more. Glad I did my research as they suggested buying Black Widow tetras as apparently great companions for Guppies. On the positive side...they grilled me quite intensely about my tank set up and how long i'd had it running for. They also refused to sell a bloke some fish as they didn't feel his set-up was adequate. maybe things are looking up for my local P@H store at least

 

[Twinklecaz]

Sounds like a good store, you're lucky.

You can your water stats are good....your Neons look great, really colourful

 

[Gvilleguy]

I like that Tetra picture. I ran with 5 glofish and 3 zebras for 6 weeks, and then 10 days ago added 3 Neon Tetras. My water stats have never gone above zero on ammonia and nitrites, and nitrates 10 and under. So this week we'll add 3 more Neons to complete the shoal.

Liverbird - let me know how your guppies do. I went with 4 males at the start, and we lost them all within 2 weeks, so I have not purchased any more.

 

[Liverbird36]

I like that Tetra picture. I ran with 5 glofish and 3 zebras for 6 weeks, and then 10 days ago added 3 Neon Tetras. My water stats have never gone above zero on ammonia and nitrites, and nitrates 10 and under. So this week we'll add 3 more Neons to complete the shoal.

Liverbird - let me know how your guppies do. I went with 4 males at the start, and we lost them all within 2 weeks, so I have not purchased any more.

Yeah i'll let you know. i love the Neons they are so inquisitive no signs of nerves, into every nook and cranny of the tank, they are a joy to watch. Was nervous about Neon tetra disease but thought what the heck, I love them to bits and they have the advantage of being really light on the bio load. Will keep my fingers crossed with the Guppies. I know how tricky they can be. The four I got today are active little things. I have warned my kids that they may not last many days just to be on the safe side. The tank was cycling for about 3mths so all I can do is pray lol

 

[Wills]

Yeah its pretty cool they are refusing sales and stuff but only selling less than 6 tetras due to stress is a really stupid rule if anything it will put people off buying more than 3/4 at a time and in new tanks that P@H often deal with low shoaling numbers is just going to stress the fish more. It would be better for them to sell them with the rule at least 6 at a time because the more there are the more confident they are and the more likely they are to survive the move.

 

[Gilli]

great looking fish these just be carefull if you have 2 males as you may get 1 dominant fish and 1 that hides.... it may even turn black with stress keep an eye on them, it might not happen overnight. i had 3 and ended up rehoming 2 due to this.... shame as they are nice looking fish

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate i'm taking a huge risk but have gone into it with my eyes open....i think. Have been watching the pair in my LFS for 3wks. Was quite happy to see that when I was there they were always together and never seemed to be apart. Have been together in the tank too. I checked them over before I bought them for signs of nipping etc but they are both clear. I'll take each day as it comes and keep my fingers crossed. I'm hoping that as there are a lot of plants and places to hide that it may be ok. Time will tell.

Dont be fooled by the character of fish in the fish shop. They do not define their territories in small barren tanks - you may find when they settle in properly that they are not 'best mates'!. Also you will need to keep an eye on your water stats - neon tetras shouldnt really be in an imature tank as they dont fare very well, so the best chance of keeping them alive is to keep the water spot on by making plenty of water changes if necessary.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Congrats

As someone who recently got stock also I know that the cycling/science project of ours seems more than worth it. They look great!

May I suggest keeping a stat log after you've fully stocked for a week or two as from my understand this is when most spikes occur. Also it's very interesting to chart the parameters once you've added stock. Or perhaps that's just me?

Congrats again though, they look stunning

 

[Liverbird36]

great looking fish these just be carefull if you have 2 males as you may get 1 dominant fish and 1 that hides.... it may even turn black with stress keep an eye on them, it might not happen overnight. i had 3 and ended up rehoming 2 due to this.... shame as they are nice looking fish

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate i'm taking a huge risk but have gone into it with my eyes open....i think. Have been watching the pair in my LFS for 3wks. Was quite happy to see that when I was there they were always together and never seemed to be apart. Have been together in the tank too. I checked them over before I bought them for signs of nipping etc but they are both clear. I'll take each day as it comes and keep my fingers crossed. I'm hoping that as there are a lot of plants and places to hide that it may be ok. Time will tell.

Dont be fooled by the character of fish in the fish shop. They do not define their territories in small barren tanks - you may find when they settle in properly that they are not 'best mates'!. Also you will need to keep an eye on your water stats - neon tetras shouldnt really be in an imature tank as they dont fare very well, so the best chance of keeping them alive is to keep the water spot on by making plenty of water changes if necessary.

The tank is heavily panted with a lot of hiding spaces. It has also been up- and - running for over 3mths now so hoping it will be ok. I have known people to have Neons after 1mth of running tank and they have been ok. so i'm not too concerned. I think 3mths is a fairly good start. I only have tiny fish so the tank was stocked with thyat in mind. Whatever happens happens I guess. Water stats are perfect and have not budged at all.

 

[BethK]

Aslong as you keep ontop of your water stats and changes and there is no drastic spike, you should be ok.

The majority of us on here have worked hard on maintaining our tanks and it is very rewarding, being able to see a good home being put to use.

I have always believed that there will be some sort of stat spike, when a newly cycled tank, has had inhabitants put in it, no matter how much you research, everyone's tank is different. It's good that you're taking onboard advice, I know some people who think they know better cus they've 'read online articles' and haven't actually been through it, only for me to sit here saying 'i told you so', when it happens mind you, i'm sadistic if I waited long enough, I would have won that person's 125ltr tank, due to a bet but alas, i have no patience lol

I know you will take great care of your fish, you've worked very hard to get where you are today

 

[Gvilleguy]

I had also warned my kids about the guppies, so they weren't too upset. I'm surprised at how bold my 3 Neons are in the tank with the VERY active zebras and glofish. At feeding time they are up there aggressively getting food, and today I did a water change, and the little guys wouldn't get away from the siphon nozzle - almost sucked them up!

 

[waterdrop]

Well everything is sounding good and the pictures are great LB36. For an old guy like me its funny to see people term the fish in your first picture as a "red" Dwarf Gourami! That picture could have been a shot of any number of "Dwarf Gouramis" from years ago (mind you, a nearly perfect one! you have an excellent example there!) and we of course never had any reason to say the color red because there was no such thing as a "powder blue" or other variations that have popped up recently. Just thought you'd like to know you have what we would have thought of as a classic and healthy "Dwarf Gourami."

~~waterdrop~~
ps. (Gville, I'll bet that's our piedmont soft water that the guppies don't like... the cards/neons love it, in my case..) (hey man, pulled up a live silver dollar invertebrate this morning in the surf, it had a reddish cast to it and was in perfect shape! WD)

 

[Gvilleguy]

WD - I think you're right about the unholy soft water we have. I'll lean more toward the tetra / cichlid side of things in the future. When my tank matures I want a pair of German Blue Rams.

 

[PDSimon]

The neons should be fine. Rummy nose tetra are also another fish you shouldn't add after you've cycled but I did it and they're in great health. If you provide good conditions for fish you really want then it usually works off.

You shouldn't experience any spike, if you do, a waterchange should be in order. I would change 30% of the water each week...

 

[waterdrop]

WD - I think you're right about the unholy soft water we have. I'll lean more toward the tetra / cichlid side of things in the future. When my tank matures I want a pair of German Blue Rams.

Oh man, I love that idea, keep thinking about some of those myself.. I've never had any!

 

[Liverbird36]

The great thing about this site is that you learn about the pitfalls along the way. I'm expecting lots to go wrong, that way when it does i'll be prepared. I know the Neons probably weren't the best of options given the age of the tank, but one thing I can promise to all who have been kind enough to give me advice is that I will give these fish 100% and will do my absolute best to ensure their health and happiness. I am not optimistic the Neons will last but will do my utmost to ensure the water is as good as it can possibly be for them.