New To The Hobby.

[GouramiJay]

yeah i suggest getting the API kit, i know it seems steep, but its £33 in store atm, and most P@H are giving 10% off when u take a leaflet for their new pet thing, and without a decent kit, you wont know whats going on, when to change what, what to do, and you could well wake up to a crashed tank with upset and upside down fishies!

Get the kit, get the water tested and act as needed, and if it turns out to be fine, leave it a couple of weeks to settle and let nature take its course with the filter
dont be in a rush to fill the tank, you wont do yourself any favours in the long run! =)

Welcome to the hobby, its addictive and expensive when you make mistakes, use advice from masters on here, ive done the same, im only in the hobby for 6 months so far and already this forum has saved my bacon a few times xD
Enjoy!

Thank you. I will go and get it tested tomorrow.

Good move. Don't be tempted to buy fish until you know what your FULL water test results are and you can be sure your filter is doing what it rally should be...always prepare yourself for having to do regular, big water changes.

Terry.

From the info in this thread should I be changing like 50% or more of the water?

dont be in a rush to change anything until you know you have to
get the water tested first thing when your LFS opens, and act then.
Dont upset anything unless you have to

Thank you Paradiddle. I hope its not too bad and I can just do my weekly water change or so.

 

[GouramiJay]

Hi everyone, another question for you.

I forgot to mention I have a small yellow catfish type fish in my tank aswell. It looks like a cory but I can't be sure. It keeps hiding at the bottom of my filter and never moves.

If anyone has any insight into this it would really help.

Thank you

 

[paradiddle]

Size of the fish?
i noticed you have an upside down catfish, maybe some aggression took place and this one is now hiding, or maybe with the new addition of fish he feels threatened?
it would be a good idea to include a picture of it so someone can tell you what it is, then you can find what kind of parameters it enjoys, maybe your setting isnt quiet right for him.

 

[GouramiJay]

Size of the fish?
i noticed you have an upside down catfish, maybe some aggression took place and this one is now hiding, or maybe with the new addition of fish he feels threatened?
it would be a good idea to include a picture of it so someone can tell you what it is, then you can find what kind of parameters it enjoys, maybe your setting isnt quiet right for him.

I can't get a pic as he is hiding underneath my filter lol, he is about 20mm long and kinda round apart from a little tail and dorsal fin. I have seen him suck on the glass before if this helps with the description??

 

[fluttermoth]

Have Google of 'hillstream loach', sounds like it might be one of those (there a quite few different species, but they all have very similar body shape).

 

[GouramiJay]

Have Google of 'hillstream loach', sounds like it might be one of those (there a quite few different species, but they all have very similar body shape).

Thanks. It does look similar to one of them except for the double fins on the side but this could be due to the size of it.

Also should I be feeding that and my catfish and that vegetables aswell as the flakes and pellets.

 

[GouramiJay]

Right so here are some pics of my tank and said catfish.

 

[GouramiJay]

Could somebody also let us know what fish this is and if it shouldn't be in my tank with the fish I currently have.




Any help appreciated

 

[thereverendturtle]

The little guy under the filter looks like a clown pleco, from what I can see. Maybe Google that. The other is a flying fox, can be aggressive. Google him as well for more detail.
Your tank seems a little sparse on decorations, maybe add some stones, driftwood or other ornaments. This will make your fish feel more comfortable.

Never mind, forgot we already discussed the decorations.

 

[fluttermoth]

I agree, Rev, it does look like a clown plec. Not a hillstream, that's for sure!

Totally agree about the decor too. Paradoxically, the more cover and hiding spaces you have, the more your fish will be out (ok, maybe not the clown plec; I only see ours a couple of times a year!), as they'll feel safer knowing there are hiding places nearby.

You and I know there's no predators in your tank, but your fish don't

 

[GouramiJay]

Thanks for the advice. I will google them and have a look. If its better to get the bigger fish out of my tank i will rehome them.

I have 3 plants and some moss on order, i shud get it by wednesday. I also boughr a piece of Mopani yesterday which is being soaked at the moment.

Thanks again people

 

[GouramiJay]

Hi again

,

Got my water checked at my LFS and everything is reading fine according to my LFS owner. Still waiting on my plants to come in. I have ordered:

Eleocharis Parvula
Taxiphyllum Barbieri(vesicularia)
Vallisneria American(Natans)

If anybody has any tips on planting these they would be most welcome

.

Quick question:

How tough would it be to change the substrate in this tank?

Thanks
Jay

 

[techen]

I suggest changing to a plant substrate if your going down the plant route. You'll have to remove your fish, put them in a bucket, Remove gravel then fill it up with the stuff you have. Pretty easy.

 

[GouramiJay]

I suggest changing to a plant substrate if your going down the plant route. You'll have to remove your fish, put them in a bucket, Remove gravel then fill it up with the stuff you have. Pretty easy.

Cheers Techen,

Is there a certain one i should use as my LFS doesnt have a great selection. I was wondering why my plants weren't planting great.

 

[techen]

Any of these really you could use, Would make your plants grow really really well.

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/substrate-system-substrates-c-545_532_220.html?zenid=00f40fe6e1d755946c0893b877cec8ed

Also I suggest using ferts -

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/neutro-t-medium-p-6380.html

That bottle last me a good 2-3 months in a 200L tank,.