Devorax
Fish Crazy
Hi people. I am a newbie to the hobby and have now managed to get the hang of the basics, I think, but there are a few things I would like to know. It is worth pointing out at this stage that I don't think the problems/issues raised have anything to do with the first massive problem I had when I lost over half my stock.
Okay, it is probably worth mentioning what my set-up is. Here goes
A 60 litre tank, with Interpet PF2 internal filter, air bubble tubing, heater, twin lights, and approx 9 plants.
It's occupants are
1 M Betta, 3 sailfin mollies (2F,1M), 1 Swordtail (M), 10 Guppies (5F,5M), 4 pearl danios, 4 zebra danios, 1 bristlenose plec, 2 apple snails, 2 Black Widow tetras, 1 clown loach, 4 neons, 4 rummy nosed tetras. I should point out that not all of these fish belong in this tank, the guppies belong in a 25 litre tank which has been taken over by some 13 fry until they are big enough to be moved on, SO this is only a temporary situation.
My questions are these
1)The water tests are all fine, the ammonia barely registers, the nitrite levels are slightly above nil, as is the nitrate, as defined by the API Master test kit. Why then, do we find the occasional dead body? They die on average 2 fish a week.
2)A recently bought swordtail female has died of what looks like fungal infection, she was in the LFS with the male, but he has no signs. No other fish have symptoms. I have treated the tank with Interpet 8 but it didn't save her. As she lay dying, she passed what looked like eggs and some bloody material, was this due to illness, or was her death pregnancy induced? What are the chances of the fungus appearing on other fish?
3)The filter should by now be cycled and semi-mature, but there are things visually wrong with the water.Why is there a 'soapy' accumulation at the front of the tank on the surface which doesn't dissipate. What is it and harmful in any way? Also, the water seem cloudy, as if there are dust particles floating around which are NOT drawn in to the filter, even though it's on full power. Why is this?
4)The apple snails have layed eggs. We have 2 clutches now. How can we determine if they are fertile and what the genders are of the snails in order to prevent more?
5)Will the clown loach outgrow the tank? I have seen articles that suggest that they only grow to the size the tanks allow. Although if this is true it is not ideal, it would be a great relief as we would not have to re-home him, as I have gotten quite attached to the little fella.
6)I am thinking of improving filtration. Are under gravel filters worth the effort, are they any use? Can I buy better internal filters or am I better with a small external one? Any great products out there for around £70 or so worth getting?
7)Why aren't my snails and plec keeping the algae down? I have a heavyish growth on one panel of glass which is being ignored by them all. Apart from scraping it, is there any other way to encourage them to remove it?
I do know that there are probably answers to all my questions on this site already, but I have trawled through quite a few pages and find it quite daunting at times, so a direct approach may suit me best. Thanks in advance for any help and advice offered.
Okay, it is probably worth mentioning what my set-up is. Here goes
A 60 litre tank, with Interpet PF2 internal filter, air bubble tubing, heater, twin lights, and approx 9 plants.
It's occupants are
1 M Betta, 3 sailfin mollies (2F,1M), 1 Swordtail (M), 10 Guppies (5F,5M), 4 pearl danios, 4 zebra danios, 1 bristlenose plec, 2 apple snails, 2 Black Widow tetras, 1 clown loach, 4 neons, 4 rummy nosed tetras. I should point out that not all of these fish belong in this tank, the guppies belong in a 25 litre tank which has been taken over by some 13 fry until they are big enough to be moved on, SO this is only a temporary situation.
My questions are these
1)The water tests are all fine, the ammonia barely registers, the nitrite levels are slightly above nil, as is the nitrate, as defined by the API Master test kit. Why then, do we find the occasional dead body? They die on average 2 fish a week.
2)A recently bought swordtail female has died of what looks like fungal infection, she was in the LFS with the male, but he has no signs. No other fish have symptoms. I have treated the tank with Interpet 8 but it didn't save her. As she lay dying, she passed what looked like eggs and some bloody material, was this due to illness, or was her death pregnancy induced? What are the chances of the fungus appearing on other fish?
3)The filter should by now be cycled and semi-mature, but there are things visually wrong with the water.Why is there a 'soapy' accumulation at the front of the tank on the surface which doesn't dissipate. What is it and harmful in any way? Also, the water seem cloudy, as if there are dust particles floating around which are NOT drawn in to the filter, even though it's on full power. Why is this?
4)The apple snails have layed eggs. We have 2 clutches now. How can we determine if they are fertile and what the genders are of the snails in order to prevent more?
5)Will the clown loach outgrow the tank? I have seen articles that suggest that they only grow to the size the tanks allow. Although if this is true it is not ideal, it would be a great relief as we would not have to re-home him, as I have gotten quite attached to the little fella.
6)I am thinking of improving filtration. Are under gravel filters worth the effort, are they any use? Can I buy better internal filters or am I better with a small external one? Any great products out there for around £70 or so worth getting?
7)Why aren't my snails and plec keeping the algae down? I have a heavyish growth on one panel of glass which is being ignored by them all. Apart from scraping it, is there any other way to encourage them to remove it?
I do know that there are probably answers to all my questions on this site already, but I have trawled through quite a few pages and find it quite daunting at times, so a direct approach may suit me best. Thanks in advance for any help and advice offered.