Not sure?! Molly fish

[Byron]

We definitely have hard water. Our water is about 140 ppm according to the water company. Once I get the api test kit and conduct tests with that I can come back with better numbers.

Now my next question is how do I go about cleaning a tank that someone previously used outside of my house since soap and chemicals are a no go? I have a 50 gallon I am setting up for them and would like to be sure to get this cycle right in this new tank. Thinking fish less cycle and keeping these guys in this tank as it will end up our hospital tank.

You do not have hard water if 140ppm is the GH. This equates to 7.8 dH for those who prefer that scale. This is moderately soft/hard in aquarium terms. Mollies cannot manage in this, and swordtails will struggle too.

On tank cleaning, use warm/hot water. You can use bleach diluted with water, just make sure you rinse the inside very well, and allow it to air dry before filling. Do not use bleach on objects like wood or rock as these will absorb it. Salt instead of bleach sometimes also works, or vinegar. Again, not on objects and rinse the tank extremely well.

 

[Jmw0922]

You do not have hard water if 140ppm is the GH. This equates to 7.8 dH for those who prefer that scale. This is moderately soft/hard in aquarium terms. Mollies cannot manage in this, and swordtails will struggle too.

On tank cleaning, use warm/hot water. You can use bleach diluted with water, just make sure you rinse the inside very well, and allow it to air dry before filling. Do not use bleach on objects like wood or rock as these will absorb it. Salt instead of bleach sometimes also works, or vinegar. Again, not on objects and rinse the tank extremely well.

In every single thing I've read on upkeep with the fish we have we have read we are in the ideal range... so should I not go by anything I've read then? The mollies seem to have been doing fine aside from the ick.

 

[Byron]

In every single thing I've read on upkeep with the fish we have we have read we are in the ideal range... so should I not go by anything I've read then? The mollies seem to have been doing fine aside from the ick.

I've no idea what sources you've read, but if they advise such low levels for GH they are wrong and unreliable. This is a comon occurrence in this hobby, anyone can post nonsense and be thought an expert.

Mollies must have water with a minimum GH of 15 dH/268 ppm, anything higher is not a problem. The pH must be in the high 7's, up to 9 is no problem. Check the data on Seriously Fish, this is a reliable scientific site:

Poecilia sphenops – Short-finned Molly/Black Molly — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Swordtails can manage a bit lower, but minimum should be 10 dH/179 ppm, higher is not a problem up to 25 dH/447 ppm. Ph above 7, 8 is not problematic.

Xiphophorus hellerii – Green Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri, Xiphophorus guntheri) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com