Newbie Needs Help

[necava01]

try NOT to listen to any lfs.. they seriously dont want to help you.. just sell you stuff you probably dont need at the moment. (of course im being hypocritical because i listen to my lfs, only because the owner is my aunt!) and i hope you manage to get things going well, i remember when i did something like that with my first tank !

 

[Harlequins]

Has the others have said,lfs is out to make a profit and will sell you anything which they say be good,but dont go there,you'll end up being worse off in pocket and probably lose your fish.

Like i said a cycle usually take 4-6 weeks sometimes longer,and the only way to keep your fish alive during this period is to test your water daily and do water changes if it shows any ammonia & nitrite above zero---So hence your filter won't be cycled by next week!!

If you dont keep a check on your stats daily then your fish will die from ammonia &/or nitrite poisoning.

 

[weezebegs]

try NOT to listen to any lfs.. they seriously dont want to help you.. just sell you stuff you probably dont need at the moment. (of course im being hypocritical because i listen to my lfs, only because the owner is my aunt!) and i hope you manage to get things going well, i remember when i did something like that with my first tank !

Well the bad news is I have just lost one fish, in the last hour he just rapidly went downhill. I feel frustrated as I have followed the guidance from the LFS and still a casualty.

They tested my water before I put the fish in and they tested is again on Friday and still say the tank is healthy.

Do you think if I have lost one they will all go....he was the runt of the litter so perhaps he was not 100% when I got him.

Can I ask a few simple quiestions ....just want people's feedback really.

How often do you thoroughly clean your filter out ie replace carbon etc ?

What is a easy way to clean gravel, I have one of those syphon things but I found it rather tricky.

Also when adding the new water, I have been leaving it to get to room temp before adding, but as the tank is heated to 24 shoul i put a splash of hot water in to warm it up first ?

I have 4 live plants is that too many when starting a new tank.

If anyone thinks this tank looks wrong then please tell me as I am still learning

 

[Harlequins]

Well the bad news is I have just lost one fish, in the last hour he just rapidly went downhill. I feel frustrated as I have followed the guidance from the LFS and still a casualty.Rule one Don't listen to lfs!!

They tested my water before I put the fish in and they tested is again on Friday and still say the tank is healthy.

Do you think if I have lost one they will all go....he was the runt of the litter so perhaps he was not 100% when I got him.Do daily waterchanges has advised and they may survive

Can I ask a few simple quiestions ....just want people's feedback really.

How often do you thoroughly clean your filter out ie replace carbon etc ? Never throughly clean the filter,if the flow slows,just rinse the media in used tank water NEVER tap water!and carbon isn't much use after a few days,carbon is mainly used for removing meds out of a tank or tannins from bogwood

What is a easy way to clean gravel, I have one of those syphon things but I found it rather tricky.The gravel vac is quite trickly,but once you get use to pumping it up & down to get it started it should flow fine,makes sure you push it through the gravel to remove debris that gets trapped in it

I have 4 live plants is that too many when starting a new tank.Thats fine

If anyone thinks this tank looks wrong then please tell me as I am still learning Looks good

 

[weezebegs]

Also when adding the new water, I have been leaving it to get to room temp before adding, but as the tank is heated to 24 shoul i put a splash of hot water in to warm it up first ?

 

[Harlequins]

If your hot water is instant hot water then yep temperture match with your hand the new water to the water in the tank and then add straight away.

If your water comes from a copper cylinder then you may be better boiling the kettle and adding some that way into the bucket before adding to the tank.

Dont forget the dechlorinator.

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes; it's best to warm it first, especially as you're doing a fish-in cycle and will be doing regular, large water changes. Once your tank is fully cycled and established, you can do smaller WCs with cold water, but not just yet

 

[weezebegs]

Yes; it's best to warm it first, especially as you're doing a fish-in cycle and will be doing regular, large water changes. Once your tank is fully cycled and established, you can do smaller WCs with cold water, but not just yet

Well today's news is I have done well over a 50% water change, made sure the gravel had a good clean and de-headed plants for dying leaves to give the remaining fish a chance.

They don't seem to be feeding to me, I am feeding them twice a day and they just ignore the food, but they are still pooing,so perhaps they feed during the night...does anyone know the feeding ritual of Danio's

 

[Harlequins]

Perhaps they've eaten enough...do you get leftovers when you feed?

I would feed them once a day for the time being whilst you're going through your cycle,less polution in the water

 

[weezebegs]

Perhaps they've eaten enough...do you get leftovers when you feed?

I would feed them once a day for the time being whilst you're going through your cycle,less polution in the water

whats the verdict on flake food versus pellets

 

[Harlequins]

Flakes stay on the surface until they eventually sink,whereas a lot of pellets fall to the bottom and fish like danios would probably accept flakes more readily than pellets

 

[hillmar77]

Zebra daino's don't eat alot. I feed mine just 1 small flake each per day.

 

[weezebegs]

Zebra daino's don't eat alot. I feed mine just 1 small flake each per day.

Well that is reassuring as that means I am over feeding them and that explains why they are not eating it all.

LFS said 3 times a day small amount, so I have been giving them 4/5 flakes 3 times a day.......

What have you got in your tank with your danio's that you would recommend, looking for a family tank for the kids so quick swimmers and colourful ones is what I am after any suggestions

( i say for the kids but I mean me really as I am loving it !!!!!!)

 

[hillmar77]

Zebra daino's don't eat alot. I feed mine just 1 small flake each per day.

Well that is reassuring as that means I am over feeding them and that explains why they are not eating it all.

LFS said 3 times a day small amount, so I have been giving them 4/5 flakes 3 times a day.......

What have you got in your tank with your danio's that you would recommend, looking for a family tank for the kids so quick swimmers and colourful ones is what I am after any suggestions

( i say for the kids but I mean me really as I am loving it !!!!!!)

I've had guppies, platy's, and even neons (at one point) with my zebra's. They all worked wonderfully.

 

[weezebegs]

went back to the LFS today and they have said that my cycle is almost complete.

I haven't got my testing kit yet so don't understand it all properly but on the charts that he went by they have almost reached the top which is what he said I am aiming for before adding more fish.

Should I ask him to check for oxygen in my water......can this be done ??? I don't have a air flow but I have a filter pump that ripples the water to cause bubbles if that makes sense.

Of my remaining 3 danio's one is looking sorry for itself today but hopefully now that the water is turning itself round he will make it.