My Very First Tank...

[Iwantsomefish]

 

Thanks but I'm having a bit of a problem at the moment; I did my big water change - about 80%, wiped down the tank, put some Tetra Aqua Safe in there and chucked a few Evolution Pure Balls to get clear water, re-arranged all my decor yesterday and thought I'd best put my heater down as it was sitting at 30 degrees for cycling.

 

 
 
But.
 
It won't go down. It's the Fluval E series 50w heater and there's a little orange lever that you're supposed to push to the left to decrease the temp and the right to up it. Pushing it right still works but to the left has no effect now. So my tank is now 29.5% and I think that might be too hot to put the fish in?

 
Otherwise, I could buy a new heater when I go to buy the fish, but if I take it home with me, I don't know how long it will take to decrease the temperature if I unplug the Fluval and stick the new one in, how long will it take to drop the water temp to 26degrees which I understand is a desirable temp or do I unplug the Fluval before I leave to go and buy the fish but in that case, how long will it take to heat the water with the new one when I get back as the temp in the tank will drop right down whist I'm out.
 
Of course, Hagen isn't even open on weekends to call them and ask how to fix it; irresponsible I'd say when their products are responsible for keeping tanks at a temp suitable to keep fish alive that no-one is there to help on the weekend.
 

Poor you, not having much luck are you.
 
Certainly that is too hot for the fish, it is just over 85oF, and I tend to keep my fish at about 78-80oF.  Also, with a heater that is not regulating there is a danger that it will not stabilize properly.  That said, how long has it been at this temp?  Did you change it overnight i.e. has it had time to regulate to the new setting?
 
I use these heaters, SuperFish Nano Heater Length 17cm 50W (via Ark Stores, very quick delivery) for the majority of my Betta tanks, and have only ever had one faulty one (out of about six+, sorry lost count), which was replaced immediately.  I believe that MA often sell them, but they are a bit more pricey with them.  I would always recommend you have a spare heater as a back up anyway.
 
Yours is obviously still under guarantee so I would deal with this first thing Monday, and get them to send you a replacement ASAP.  Do not return the old one until the new one arrives, as you need something to keep the water warm.
 
Personally, I would recommend you wait to get your fish.  You need to be 100% sure that the thermostat on any heater is regulating properly, or your lovely new fish may well be lost shortly after purchase.  I always test a new heater for at least 48 hours, once the ideal temperature is reached, to check it is regulating properly.
 
Sorry to say this, but you do not want to waste your money, or the fishes lives.  Hang in there, yet again, you will be rewarded.
 
In the meantime, call MA and ask when they generally get their fish deliveries?  Ask what Betta tail types they get and also ask them when their next lot of Bettas will be arriving?  That is when you can get the pick of the best i.e. go and see them as soon as you can, or be at the door on the first day of their new Bettas being put up for sale.  My local MA know my weakness now and are bringing in lots of lovely Bettas to tempt me with, not sure if this is now happening across the MA stores i.e. good quality Bettas?
 

 
 
Yes, it's been sitting happily on 29.5 since last night  screen is green to show it's keeping a constant termperature.
 
No I am not having much luck; problem is my weekends for the next few weeks are going to be busy and I don't know that I'd have time to go fish shopping.
 
I  heard the Superfish one is quite good; this Fluval E is supposed to be quite fancy and came as a deal with the tank. I don't mind buying another heater. If this one is keeping it at 29.5C, if I pick up a new heater when I got the fish, and then unplugged the E heater when I got home for a while which would make the temperature drop and then plugged the new one in at 26C, that should work shouldn't it?

 

[RCA]

Yes, it's been sitting happily on 29.5 since last night  screen is green to show it's keeping a constant temperature.
 
No I am not having much luck; problem is my weekends for the next few weeks are going to be busy and I don't know that I'd have time to go fish shopping.
 
I  heard the Superfish one is quite good; this Fluval E is supposed to be quite fancy and came as a deal with the tank. I don't mind buying another heater. If this one is keeping it at 29.5C, if I pick up a new heater when I got the fish, and then unplugged the E heater when I got home for a while which would make the temperature drop and then plugged the new one in at 26C, that should work shouldn't it?
 

 
You could take this risk, as generally speaking a new heater should be OK but be aware it would need to stabilize as already mentioned.  I would call MA and see if they are stocking the one I recommended, as this also fits nicely into the tank you have.  You can see mine hiding here.  I would recommend you leave it initially at the setting it is at, then watch it settle before increasing it if need be.  It is better the fish get a little cool than boil! 
 
You could also assist in dropping the temperature when you get home by doing a small water change (with necessary additives) and using only cold water.
 
Be aware with the Edge that you can only float so many bags in the gap, so you may need to undo them in order to get them in the gap to reach temperature.  I have often floated bags in other tanks but then used the water from the Edge to acclimatize the fish.  In your case you could use the water from the water change in a bucket to assist with this, just do not leave the fish too long in it as you do not want to get them too warm then cool again.  Therefore, limit the number of fish you get or you will not be able to float them in the water due to the size of the opening!
 
Good Luck, I hope MA have a Superfish heater for you, as I love the size of this heater.  If not ring around you may find one somewhere.

 

[Mamashack]

OOerr - I run mine at 29°C - is that too hot then? I understand the range is 24-30° with no sudden changes.

 

[Iwantsomefish]

OOerr - I run mine at 29°C - is that too hot then? I understand the range is 24-30° with no sudden changes.

Interesting - so you run your tropical fish at 29 - that's only 0.5 of a degree less than mine is set on - and yours are fine?. Once I've finished my housework I'm going to see if I can take my heater apart and do anything to fix it though I doubt it.
 
So you guys think it will be ok to put the fish in for a few days with the E series still in there till the replacement arrives?

 

[Mamashack]

 
So you guys think it will be ok to put the fish in for a few days with the E series still in there till the replacement arrives?

No I wouldn't do that especially as it appears to be faulty. I would do as RCA suggests and take it back as a faulty heater if it is still within warranty and they should replace it. Do some research of your own about betta care and see what you find. As RCA said there is a range and it will also depend on what temperature your betta is used to.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Changing the temp is easy, when fish aren't in the tank.  A water change can be done to drop it.  Just remove 25% of the tank's water, and replace with much cooler water.  This will drop the temp as much as you want, and maybe a bit lower.  Drop the new heater in and bring it to the temp you want, ~25/26 is probably where it should be.
 
I'd suggest you not get fish the same day as you get the heater.  There's no guarantee that the new heater will work properly, either.  I'd get the new heater at least 24 hours before the fish.

 

[Iwantsomefish]

Changing the temp is easy, when fish aren't in the tank.  A water change can be done to drop it.  Just remove 25% of the tank's water, and replace with much cooler water.  This will drop the temp as much as you want, and maybe a bit lower.  Drop the new heater in and bring it to the temp you want, ~25/26 is probably where it should be.
 
I'd suggest you not get fish the same day as you get the heater.  There's no guarantee that the new heater will work properly, either.  I'd get the new heater at least 24 hours before the fish.

I decided to give it a miss yesterday. Instead I went Amazon shopping and I bought the Superfish Nano Heater 50W as recommended by RCA and also before I got the E50 Fluval I heard that was good but the heater I have was bundled with tank and was higher value though he did offer me others instead this included, but anyway, so I ordered that heater and when it arrives, I might well run that instead of the new Fluval (sending it back in the post and fingers crossed a replacement received within the week) ...
 
...and I ordered a LCD termperature gauge where you put the gadget on the tank but drop a sensor in the water, well rated by Amazoners. I do already have a Fluval digital thermomenter but it didn't show anything clearly so not that helpful.
 
And I ordered some food - Tetra Colour Pro and some British bloodwork - for the fish when they finally do come home.
 
I've popped some ammonia in there too to keep the cycle going so I'll have to do another water change at the end of the week - it's going to be a tad deja vu.

 

[RCA]

I decided to give it a miss yesterday. Instead I went Amazon shopping and I bought the Superfish Nano Heater 50W as recommended by RCA and also before I got the E50 Fluval I heard that was good but the heater I have was bundled with tank and was higher value though he did offer me others instead this included, but anyway, so I ordered that heater and when it arrives, I might well run that instead of the new Fluval (sending it back in the post and fingers crossed a replacement received within the week) ...
 
 
...and I ordered a LCD termperature gauge where you put the gadget on the tank but drop a sensor in the water, well rated by Amazoners. I do already have a Fluval digital thermomenter but it didn't show anything clearly so not that helpful.
 
And I ordered some food - Tetra Colour Pro and some British bloodwork - for the fish when they finally do come home.
 
I've popped some ammonia in there too to keep the cycle going so I'll have to do another water change at the end of the week - it's going to be a tad deja vu.
 

Well done, you are to be congratulated for thinking and doing the right thing by the fish 

  I do hope you will be duly rewarded with the best fighter you can find 

 
Hopefully you got the heater from Ark Stores, as mentioned, as I found them generally very quick with good customer service.  One from another store took something like 3 weeks to get to me!
 
The LCD temp gauges are great, and I have started to fit them in all of my tanks.  I also need to get another spare one as it is handy to check the water temperature for water changes.  Mind you today I bought a thermometer with an instant digital reading, although it may think I have a fever it should give me a quick reading of the water for water changes 

 
I like the Tetra Pro Colour and the Algae version.  Not sure what you mean by "British Bloodwork"?  Is that bloodworm?  What format is it in?  I do not feed freeze dried foods, only live or frozen, or the one you can get in jelly, although I prefer the frozen bloodworm.  What food have you got for your potential Betta?  Check my profile for what I feed my guys.
 
Look forward to pics of the tank with fish in it soon.

 

[Iwantsomefish]

 

I decided to give it a miss yesterday. Instead I went Amazon shopping and I bought the Superfish Nano Heater 50W as recommended by RCA and also before I got the E50 Fluval I heard that was good but the heater I have was bundled with tank and was higher value though he did offer me others instead this included, but anyway, so I ordered that heater and when it arrives, I might well run that instead of the new Fluval (sending it back in the post and fingers crossed a replacement received within the week) ...
 
 
...and I ordered a LCD termperature gauge where you put the gadget on the tank but drop a sensor in the water, well rated by Amazoners. I do already have a Fluval digital thermomenter but it didn't show anything clearly so not that helpful.
 
And I ordered some food - Tetra Colour Pro and some British bloodwork - for the fish when they finally do come home.
 
I've popped some ammonia in there too to keep the cycle going so I'll have to do another water change at the end of the week - it's going to be a tad deja vu.
 

Well done, you are to be congratulated for thinking and doing the right thing by the fish 

  I do hope you will be duly rewarded with the best fighter you can find 

 
Hopefully you got the heater from Ark Stores, as mentioned, as I found them generally very quick with good customer service.  One from another store took something like 3 weeks to get to me!
 
The LCD temp gauges are great, and I have started to fit them in all of my tanks.  I also need to get another spare one as it is handy to check the water temperature for water changes.  Mind you today I bought a thermometer with an instant digital reading, although it may think I have a fever it should give me a quick reading of the water for water changes 

 
I like the Tetra Pro Colour and the Algae version.  Not sure what you mean by "British Bloodwork"?  Is that bloodworm?  What format is it in?  I do not feed freeze dried foods, only live or frozen, or the one you can get in jelly, although I prefer the frozen bloodworm.  What food have you got for your potential Betta?  Check my profile for what I feed my guys.
 
Look forward to pics of the tank with fish in it soon.
 

 
Yes, typo - bloodworm - I heard it's a good treat for the fish - yes freeze dried, well rated on Amazon as was the TPC which I think you can feed to all fish  not just tetra so I could give to my Betta I'm sure. I also have some standard tropical fish flakes.
 
I'll let you know how I get on with the new thermometer.
 
Yes it was Amazon but supplied by Ark. One thing of the four I ordered has arrived at reception at my building but I got back too late to pick it up from the concierge so I'll grab it tomorrow.
 
Yes, it's Fish Day minus 4 days and counting.

 

[RCA]

Yes, typo - bloodworm - I heard it's a good treat for the fish - yes freeze dried, well rated on Amazon as was the TPC which I think you can feed to all fish  not just tetra so I could give to my Betta I'm sure. I also have some standard tropical fish flakes.
 
I'll let you know how I get on with the new thermometer.
 
Yes it was Amazon but supplied by Ark. One thing of the four I ordered has arrived at reception at my building but I got back too late to pick it up from the concierge so I'll grab it tomorrow.
 
Yes, it's Fish Day minus 4 days and counting.
 

As I mentioned I do not tend to feed freeze dried, yet as you have bought it I would highly recommend you soak it first to re-hydrate it.  One of the potential issues with Bettas is bloat which will kill them.  Their stomach is about the size of their eyeball, so you only need to feed a very small amount.  Although I predominantly feed moist pellets now (details in my profile), Hikari Betta Bio Gold is a good product for your Betta.  He will need only about three pellets.
 
We are all counting with you, minus  

 

 

 

until fish day

  

 

[Iwantsomefish]

Well I went to MA Wembley today and I got the first of my fish.
 
I got 4 cardinals (I assumed 6 together but he said get another two later) and 2 silver mollys which I had no intention of getting but I just loved the silver gleam which i knew would contrast very nicely with my tank.
 
It's interesting, I was helped by three different assistants whilst I was there: the first said mollies + fighter = fine, the second disagreed, the first said don't take the cardinals home on the same day as the mollies, the third disagreed and said it was fine. They all seemed to spout different opinions on what was suitable, good together and which to take home on this occasion. I just went with the guy who bagged it for me's thoughts but it was odd.
 
I will go back next week maybe, for another two cardinals, maybe another two mollies, my fighter and maybe something else.
 
Now I'm not sure if I'm going to name them or not, not sure whether most people name their fish or not?, but if I do I know exactly what I'm going to call the two boy mollies. Who can guess?
 
Thanks for the help everyone has given me thus far. I might need advice over the next couple of weeks or so whilst the fish settle and I get used to doing things that need doing tank wise and learn what needs doing and how and what not.
 
At the moment, they seem ok, the mollies are just sticking to the bottom poking at my cave and substrate, the cardinals are clustered further up. I hope they are ok, not sure how to tell.  
 
What's that? You want to see for yourself?
 
Oh all right then...
 
 

And here's the cardinals - i was having trouble getting decent sized pics in one thread.

 

[RCA]

Ha, not what you thought then
 
I am just cooking and came to check a recipe so just a quick look...
 
In case you did not know your Molly's are Sail-fin Mollies, lovely looking fish, not sure if these still ideally like a little salt in their water or they have been bred to stand total fresh water - any Molly fans out there?
 
Cannot see 100% your cardinals, but some of them look a little like Neons 

Does the red go the full length of their body?
Were there any fighters there?  When does the next shipment of fish come in i.e. fighters?
 
You now have 

plus we are having a heatwave

and won the tennis 

not a bad day 

 

[Iwantsomefish]

Ha, not what you thought then

 
I am just cooking and came to check a recipe so just a quick look...
 
In case you did not know your Molly's are Sail-fin Mollies, lovely looking fish, not sure if these still ideally like a little salt in their water or they have been bred to stand total fresh water - any Molly fans out there?
 
Cannot see 100% your cardinals, but some of them look a little like Neons 

Does the red go the full length of their body?
Were there any fighters there?  When does the next shipment of fish come in i.e. fighters?
 
You now have 

plus we are having a heatwave

and won the tennis 

not a bad day 

 
I should think so, they are baby ones I assume as they are so teeny tiny; I can't actually see two of the 4 of them right now. Must be totally hidden in the foliage.
Yep busy day.
 
There were some nice fighters there and I was eyeing up a dark bluey red one and a bluey green one. We'll see what we have when i go back. Sorry I didn't manage to take any pics. I was too busy umming and ahing over what to get and didn't want to stay longer than necessary as it was sweltering in there plus tennis in the back of my mind. Maybe next time.
 
When I get up for work tomorrow I'll turn the tank lights on for the first time. Should I feed them tomorrow morning or evening do you think?

 

[RCA]

...
When I get up for work tomorrow I'll turn the tank lights on for the first time. Should I feed them tomorrow morning or evening do you think?
 

You may already have done so, however, I usually wait 24 hours, so that would be evening I guess.

 

[Iwantsomefish]

I wasn't sure if I should feed them once a day or twice? I know it's a pinch.
I haven't given them anything as yet.
 
The cardinals come out to play every now and again but seem to like to hide behind the plants when I'm about. One of them refuses to come out at all.
 
The mollies are just staying behind the cave so not much activity.