New To The Hobby.

[GouramiJay]

Hi

,

I have recently taken up this hobby over the last few weeks and I am loving it

. I just have a few questions.

I started with a 60litre(around 15gallons I think) Tank. I currently have 4platys, 3guppys, 4lyre tail molly's, 5danios, 1upside down catfish, 1cory and 3 cherry shrimp. Now the tank still looks kinda empty so I was thinking about getting 2 Gourami's as I have always liked them. Would this be ok?

I am also wondering is it ok to just feed these fish on pellets and flakes or should I used frozen and live foods?

Any help appreciated.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I have to say your tank is fairly well stocked. Give the fish you have time to grow and your tank won't look so empty. Adding more decorations rocks, plants, driftwood will also make it look fuller.
As for food, flakes and pellets are fine. Consider using a veggie/spirulina flake and a color or tropical staple flake. Alternate feeding one in the morning and the other in the evening.
Welcome to the hobby, its quite addictive.

 

[the_lock_man]

I agree with the good reverend.

 

[GouramiJay]

I have to say your tank is fairly well stocked. Give the fish you have time to grow and your tank won't look so empty. Adding more decorations rocks, plants, driftwood will also make it look fuller.
As for food, flakes and pellets are fine. Consider using a veggie/spirulina flake and a color or tropical staple flake. Alternate feeding one in the morning and the other in the evening.
Welcome to the hobby, its quite addictive.

Thanks for the advice

. I am using pellets and flakes at the moment as my guppys and some of my platys cannot swallow the pellets. I also have some plants on order and am really looking forward to adding them to the aquarium. I have found that driftwood is quite expensive in my area. Is there any sites that do competitive prices that ship to Ireland?

I have found this to be very addictive already lol

 

[Gilli]

Yes frozen live foods will be appreciated!

 

[msasa19]

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/aquadistri-driftwood-medium-3036cm-p-5336.html

not sure if they ship to ireland.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Have you tried ebay for driftwood?

 

[GouramiJay]

Have you tried ebay for driftwood?

I have but with P+P it is roughly the same price. I think I will just pick a piece up in the local pet store.

Thanks for the advice, everyone has been really helpful.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Hi

,

I have recently taken up this hobby over the last few weeks and I am loving it

. I just have a few questions.

I started with a 60litre(around 15gallons I think) Tank. I currently have 4platys, 3guppys, 4lyre tail molly's, 5danios, 1upside down catfish, 1cory and 3 cherry shrimp. Now the tank still looks kinda empty so I was thinking about getting 2 Gourami's as I have always liked them. Would this be ok?

I am also wondering is it ok to just feed these fish on pellets and flakes or should I used frozen and live foods?

Any help appreciated.

What have your water test results been lately? All stable, 'zeros' where there should be?

Terry.

 

[GouramiJay]

Hi

,

I have recently taken up this hobby over the last few weeks and I am loving it

. I just have a few questions.

I started with a 60litre(around 15gallons I think) Tank. I currently have 4platys, 3guppys, 4lyre tail molly's, 5danios, 1upside down catfish, 1cory and 3 cherry shrimp. Now the tank still looks kinda empty so I was thinking about getting 2 Gourami's as I have always liked them. Would this be ok?

I am also wondering is it ok to just feed these fish on pellets and flakes or should I used frozen and live foods?

Any help appreciated.

What have your water test results been lately? All stable, 'zeros' where there should be?

Terry.

I have never tested the water as I only found out about this and "cycling" recently. I got the tank from a friend of the family who had it running for some time with a green terror and a pleco in it with no problems so I think that is why I haven't had many problems. I plan on testing my water soon tho. Any suggestions on the best test kit to use??

 

[seeley82]

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/api-master-test-kit-25613
this is the one you need for water testing, although this one is expensive you can pick them up cheaper on ebay or the likes. In the mean time you could take a sample of your water to your LFS and they should be more than happy to test your water for you.

 

[GouramiJay]

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

 

[The Taffy Apple]

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.

 

[GouramiJay]

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?

 

[paradiddle]

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