Famous last words...RCA said:
Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
My Very First Tank...
- Thread starter Iwantsomefish
- Start date
Admitting you have a problem is the first step.
Hmmm, thanks eagles...eaglesaquarium said:
Just had a thought Iwantsomefish, what about Sparkling Gourami, they stay very small and can tolerate the warmer temperature that the fighter likes? Of course, any additions will depend on your fighters disposition, if he is an "angry" fighter then he will not put up with much in the tank with him. TBH though I have found most of mine OK with other species.
Be warned you fighter can often be asleep and you may think he is dead, so do not poke him, or tap on the glass to check or you will shock him. "Mr Rude" aka Herbert, decided to have one such moment this morning, this is often how he sleeps!
Iwantsomefish
Fish Fanatic
Hmmm, thanks eagles...RCA said:
Just had a thought Iwantsomefish, what about Sparkling Gourami, they stay very small and can tolerate the warmer temperature that the fighter likes? Of course, any additions will depend on your fighters disposition, if he is an "angry" fighter then he will not put up with much in the tank with him. TBH though I have found most of mine OK with other species.
Be warned you fighter can often be asleep and you may think he is dead, so do not poke him, or tap on the glass to check or you will shock him. "Mr Rude" aka Herbert, decided to have one such moment this morning, this is often how he sleeps!
That's a funny post, reminds me of a moment in Finding Nemo where Darla - the dentist's niece taps on the glass lightly, then we see it from the fishs' perspective and it's like thunder and the starfish is saying 'Go to a happy place, go to a happy place!'
I'm so looking forward to getting fish in their hand getting to know them (as it were) and finding out little quirks like you describe above. I have to ask, why has he been given that nickname?
The reason why my heart is set on a couple of gold gourami's is because I want bright yellow fish in the tank.I think my copisus plants with large leaves and caves will help with any territory issues.
I finished putting the water in last night and set up the heater and filter running and left it overnight. Must say the distortion when I was arrangin the cave and plants with the water in there was a bit confusing; depending on whether I looked at the front or the sides, everything looked like I'd put it in a different place.
When I got home from work this evening, the tank has gone all cloudly, I'm not shocked as it said that might happen in the brochure but hope it clears up soon. Good thing there's no fish in there, they'd feel like they'd gone out in a 1800 smoggy London town.
The Fluval E series heater is at 24.5 degrees. It was at 24 this mornig so I guess that 24.5 is where it has decided to stop.
So on to the fishless cycling:
Day One...
So I've popped 1.8ml of ammonia into the tank.
I've also upped the temp to 28C as i heard hotter water speeds up the cycle.
Here's a pic of the tank with water at 1am in the early hours and again this evening with the dreaded new tank cloud.
Let's see what happens next.
Attachments
In respect to...
Well you asked ...I believe the fish I used to have was most likely his brother, as they were purchased from the same store, although of course it may just have been wishful thinking. This was the lovely Albert...
Albert, fed from my hand, looked out to see if he could see me and gave the usual Betta wiggle when he did see me. When I opened the lid of the tank he would coming swimming over to greet me, or the pellets of food I would give him from my fingers, but either way he was interactive, like most Bettas. Sadly, he bloated and I lost him, that was a sad morning finding him at rest for the last time in his favourite plant
So after a few days, I felt a little lost without my buddy, cycled to the fish store and saw, Herbert. I was in two minds whether to get him as he was so similar to Albert, but also missed the little fella so decided to buy him. Well! In contrast "Mr Rude" aka Herbert, will have nothing to do with me, even for his food he will just come up grab and disappear. He then sleeps upside down as if to scare me (I know he does not think of me really!). So basically, Mr Rude became his nickname as he is rude, with no thanks for anything. He was in this tank which has recently been converted and I am planning a swap around of my Betta boys soon for various reasons. So I am planning to put him in a tank in the kitchen, hoping he will learn to interact a little more. Time will tell if he does, or if he remains Mr Rude.
--END--
BACK TO TOPIC
Others to consider instead of the Gouramis?
- Sunset Platy, just get males then you will not be overrun with fry - probably still not suitable
- Lemon Tetra, a small school, I think these would look quite stunning and not look as out of place as a large Gourami
Source
What brochure, the one for the Edge? I am not familiar with this in the brochure, and have never seen my tank do this. Was this before you added any ammonia? What did it say exactly? How does the tank look now? Do you have any carbon in the filter? I do not normally use carbon but it can assist in getting rid of any wastes in some instances.
Until next time ...
Hi again Iwant - glad you've managed to get your tank arranged and have started your fishless cycle. Might be worth adding a bubble bar or an air-stone to increase the air exchange at the water surface - the cloudinees-causing bacteria (unfortunately not the ones we really want) use up an awful lot of oxygen and that can starve the beneficial bacteria.
Hope you'll keep us informed of your tank progress!
Haha that should say cloudiness not cloudiknees! lol
Hope you'll keep us informed of your tank progress!
Haha that should say cloudiness not cloudiknees! lol
Somehow I fear I am never going to be able to live this 'beta-touching-to-see-if-still alive-whilst-being-held-by-my-filter-intake-moment' down.
I know they aren't the fish you want anyway but my sparklers are quite quarrelsome with my other fish. Just thought I would mention.
Sorry about Albert RCA, he seemed a very friendly little chap...
I know they aren't the fish you want anyway but my sparklers are quite quarrelsome with my other fish. Just thought I would mention.
Sorry about Albert RCA, he seemed a very friendly little chap...
Ha, never, it is funnyShelster said:
Ah, thanks good to know about sparklers.
I have made a big MISTAKE
I was up very early and as my computer went to PC hospital yesterday all my content was moved to my external hard-drive and everything takes sooooo much longer to do right now!
The fish I described above was BERNARD, and he was indeed a lovely little fella, I missed him for a long time after he had gone. He was probably my favourite for his interaction with his human. The folder with his images is even named Bernard, I award myself 2 Muppet Points
Iwantsomefish
Fish Fanatic
Well you asked ...I believe the fish I used to have was most likely his brother, as they were purchased from the same store, although of course it may just have been wishful thinking. This was the lovely Albert...RCA said:I like your "Finding Nemo" quote too.
In respect to...
>
I have to ask, why has he been given that nickname?
Albert, fed from my hand, looked out to see if he could see me and gave the usual Betta wiggle when he did see me. When I opened the lid of the tank he would coming swimming over to greet me, or the pellets of food I would give him from my fingers, but either way he was interactive, like most Bettas. Sadly, he bloated and I lost him, that was a sad morning finding him at rest for the last time in his favourite plant
So after a few days, I felt a little lost without my buddy, cycled to the fish store and saw, Herbert. I was in two minds whether to get him as he was so similar to Albert, but also missed the little fella so decided to buy him. Well! In contrast "Mr Rude" aka Herbert, will have nothing to do with me, even for his food he will just come up grab and disappear. He then sleeps upside down as if to scare me (I know he does not think of me really!). So basically, Mr Rude became his nickname as he is rude, with no thanks for anything. He was in this tank which has recently been converted and I am planning a swap around of my Betta boys soon for various reasons. So I am planning to put him in a tank in the kitchen, hoping he will learn to interact a little more. Time will tell if he does, or if he remains Mr Rude.
--END--
BACK TO TOPIC
Others to consider instead of the Gouramis?
- Sunset Platy, just get males then you will not be overrun with fry - probably still not suitable
- Lemon Tetra, a small school, I think these would look quite stunning and not look as out of place as a large Gourami
Source
What brochure, the one for the Edge? I am not familiar with this in the brochure, and have never seen my tank do this. Was this before you added any ammonia? What did it say exactly? How does the tank look now? Do you have any carbon in the filter? I do not normally use carbon but it can assist in getting rid of any wastes in some instances.
Until next time ...
See, that's exactly the kind of fish I want, who will become familiar with me and vice-versa, not that's indifferent, though I do appreciate it's not like getting a dog...
I did look at the lemon tetras at the pet shop but they're too pale a yellow for me and the platys are more orange I think , I do want bright, yellow but thanks for suggesting some.
It was before I put the ammonia in, it was full of water by Thursday night but when I got home from work yesterday, it was cloudy, only late evening yesterday I added the ammonia so I can't blame it on that.
It says it might get cloudy in the edge set up brochure. It says it should go away after a while. Before I left for work this morning, I looked again and it was even more cloudy than last night. Last night I set the heater to go up to 28C for cycling purposes. I wanted to see if it had made it this morning, but it's now so cloudy I cannot make out the display!!
I'll have to see when I get home later if any change but I doubt it, yes there is carbon in the filter, the edge filter has carbon, foam and something else, it's 3 part - biological, chemical and mechanical.
Tonight, I'll either have to put more ammonia in or check the levels or something for cycle day 2, I can't remember of hand, I know there's lots of competing ways to do it.
RCA said:Ha, never, it is funnyI thought of VADAR when I found my fish asleep on his head!
Ah, thanks good to know about sparklers.
I have made a big MISTAKEAlbert is alive, no he has not risen from the dead, he is the one currently in my Avatar, sorry Albert
I was up very early and as my computer went to PC hospital yesterday all my content was moved to my external hard-drive and everything takes sooooo much longer to do right now!
The fish I described above was BERNARD, and he was indeed a lovely little fella, I missed him for a long time after he had gone. He was probably my favourite for his interaction with his human. The folder with his images is even named Bernard, I award myself 2 Muppet Points
I feel so deceived!
Be aware any fish you look at in the stock tanks will look pale, yet they will generally soon colour up when they feel more secure in the home aquarium and are fed quality foods.Iwantsomefish said:
Re: Carbon, you do not need this in the aquarium generally speaking, and definitely not if you are planning live plants. Also, be aware that carbon does need replacing every six weeks if you are using it as it will become exhausted. I only tend to use carbon if I need to remove some medication I have used previously from the aquarium.
How is it going now, has the cloud cleared
Well lucky for Albert you doeaglesaquarium said:[deleted text]
I feel so deceived!
Iwantsomefish
Fish Fanatic
The plants are fake: silk ones so that's no issue.RCA said:Be aware any fish you look at in the stock tanks will look pale, yet they will generally soon colour up when they feel more secure in the home aquarium and are fed quality foods.
Re: Carbon, you do not need this in the aquarium generally speaking, and definitely not if you are planning live plants. Also, be aware that carbon does need replacing every six weeks if you are using it as it will become exhausted. I only tend to use carbon if I need to remove some medication I have used previously from the aquarium.
How is it going now, has the cloud cleared
Well lucky for Albert you doeaglesaquarium said:>[deleted text]
I feel so deceived!
Nope cloudy as ever. I check it in the morning and when I get back from work to see if the cloud's thinned a little but it hasn't, I am still not able to see the heater in there so the cloud's quite thick. So lucky there aren't fish in there, they'd probably keep bumping into the sides of the tank as they wouldn't be able to see where they were going.
Tested ammonia last night - still on 4ppm.
I sense this is going to be long and boring.
Iwantsomefish
Fish Fanatic
Still not seeing ammonia drop, testing every two days days and no nitrite either. Been about two weeks now. And am also still suffering from cloudy water though that's not down to cycling as it went cloudy before I added the ammonia. So to sum up, not really any progress to update.
The initial drop is the slowest. What's your pH?
If its lower than 8.4, add a bit of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda or bicarbonate of soda) to raise both the kH and the pH. It will add both carbon, required by the bacteria, as well as raise the pH to the level the bacteria prefer for multiplying.
If its lower than 8.4, add a bit of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda or bicarbonate of soda) to raise both the kH and the pH. It will add both carbon, required by the bacteria, as well as raise the pH to the level the bacteria prefer for multiplying.
Iwantsomefish
Fish Fanatic
I tried the ph test and it went quite blue so I tried the High PH test and it looks like it's sitting at 8.0PH at present.eaglesaquarium said:
Hm don't have any of those, could get some next time I go shopping, otherwise is there anything else I can do at the moment?
8.0 is fine... sitting tight and playing solitaire while you wait might be the best course.
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