Rehoming

[willowstwin]

Hi All

some of you may have read some of my earlier posts about a tank here at work... here is the background:

It's a large, 4 year old tank (I'm guessing between 120 - 180 litres - it's in a display cabinet and I can't get round the sides to measure). Because it is in a display cabinet on a VERY sunny corridor, it is ridden with algae, as in you can't see into the tank.

I've been told that the filter (one of the large external fluval ones) died about 3 - 4 weeks ago - a major waste of a large mature sponge plus ceramic rings. I checked the water immediately and the levels are fine (which I'm shocked at), even the nitrates weren't too high. Currently in there (well, from what I can see) are a maximum of 4 each harlequin rasboras and rummy nose tetras. It's a shock they are still alive, however, this is not the bad part (it's not as easy as a gradual clean and a new filter).

The technician up there thinks it's an eyesore (which, to be fair, it doesn't look too nice), and has stated that the tank will be emptied by the end of this week and what's even worse is that he is threatening all sorts of disgusting disposal methods, from flushing them down the toilet, to collecting them up, putting them in a bag and dropping a brick on them, to adding conc acid to the tank I actually hate that man right now.

Unfortunately, pay day has been and gone and after a couple of huge bills I can't afford a huge tank like they are housed in now. However, I can afford a 44 litre tank from a local pet shop (12 x 15 x 15 inches). That comes out at 12 US gallons, so I'm pretty sure 8 (max) x 1 inch fish would be ok in there space wise. However, I'm terrified they will die of shock. I have a spare filter, and I left the extra donated media wedged in my current filter, so I could use that to put in the new one....

What would be the easiest way to intoduce them with minimal shock? Should I gather the water from their current tank and use that?

I don't think they will live for much longer, even in a clean fully working tank (I've read they have an average life span of 3 - 4 years), but I just can't bear the thought of them being squished or poisoned or burned or ARGH

Please help! Would the above mentioned tank be ok? and should I add water from the current tank?

(a very upset) Willow

 

[soybean]

If the tank you want to add them to is cycled, I see no reason why they would go into shock. They an obviously tolerate pretty rough conditions.

I wouldn't transfer any of their water into your tank. You could use the drip method to acclimatise them, although I think that's a bit overkill. I would simply float them in bags of their water, adding a little of your water over an hour or so, then net them and release them.

I don't think they'll die from the shock of being moved. And if they do, at least it was from trying to do them some good, rather than from a flushing.

 

[fluttermoth]

Actually, there is a thing called 'old tank syndrome' which may well apply in this case.

Bascially, it's where the tank hasn't been maintained for some time and the fish get used to the poor conditions. I know you've tested the water, but don't forget there are all sorts of other things that we don't/can't test for that could be present.

I'd bring home as much water as you can and top up over a couple of days if neccessary, then do lots of small, regular water changes; something like 20% every other day, unless you get any readings for ammonia or nitrite, in which case you'll have to more, but if you have mature media hopefully you won't.

Your 44l tank will do for now, but the rummy's really ought to get to a good two or three inches, unless they're already stunted, but you'll have a few works to work on something better (like upping the numbers if you're goign to keep them).

Best of luck; it's great that you're taking them; I can't say what I think of the technician

 

[callmoo]

To reduce shock when moving the fish in the storage container with some water from the old tank and new tank (about half half). They should be fine but dont just tip the fish into the tank from the storage container. Put the cointainer slightly underwater so that the fish will swim out freely.

Regarding your tank and filter. They will be fine but make sure you have the heater set at the same tempeture as the other tank.

The tank shoulnt of been placed in a really sunny place in the first place!!

Hope this helps!

callmoo

 

[willowstwin]

I know. It is a ridiculous place to put a tank, especially if you are not willing to put the effort in to stay on top of the algae and monitor the temperature.

As for the rummys being stunted, they're 4 years old, so I think they've been stunted for a long while (although the tank they're in at the moment is over a meter long).

I'll do a half and half with their water and fresh chlorinated water. Make sure the tank is set up and warmed correctly. I'll do that tomorrow and then add them on friday (doomsday).

I'll be keeping them at work, but in my prep room, away from the windows and from nasty horrible fish murderers! If they die of shock from the new tank, at least I tried and it's better than being flushed or having acid dumped in their tank

 

[Harlequins]

Awww poor fishes,at least they got you looking out for them

Won't they let you take the tank also? they obviously dont want them anyway...

Yep has flutter says 'old tank syndrome' will apply in this case...

 

[callmoo]

I know. It is a ridiculous place to put a tank, especially if you are not willing to put the effort in to stay on top of the algae and monitor the temperature.

As for the rummys being stunted, they're 4 years old, so I think they've been stunted for a long while (although the tank they're in at the moment is over a meter long).

I'll do a half and half with their water and fresh chlorinated water. Make sure the tank is set up and warmed correctly. I'll do that tomorrow and then add them on friday (doomsday).

I'll be keeping them at work, but in my prep room, away from the windows and from nasty horrible fish murderers! If they die of shock from the new tank, at least I tried and it's better than being flushed or having acid dumped in their tank

Please tell us how they get on after the move.

 

[willowstwin]

nope, I cant take the tank... it'll just get scrapped as the owner wont be bothered to put the effort into cleaning it. GRRRR!!!

I might have a bigger tank that I can use, but I have this one cycling for now. Looks good so far with water readings... although I don't know how it'll fair when I put in half the old tank water I guess we'll have to see and hope for the best, but I have to do something

 

[Mammabe1]

Hi Willow,

I admire your willingness to save the fishes! that is awesome!
Whatever you do - it will be better than what they have now and like some
others have said, they are use to rough conditions so I am sure they will
be fine. Sounds like they are resilient fish and also that you have this
under control!

Just wanted to let you know that...

 

[sausagewinkle]

I done the same thing a few month ago.
My partners friend had a large tin foil barb, 2 gouramis, 4 widows and 1 black neon in a 100Lite tank!!
The tank was SCRUFFY, all 4 sides covered in thick algae, the owner had lost interest and just totally neglected the tank.

We said we would take it. Bagged the fish, put the barb in a large tub, took the tank home, scrubbed it and them acclimatised them to total fresh water.
Unfortuantelythe owner had thrown away all the filter media (he thought that was the thing to do) so we had to use a small amount from my tank along with all new.
They were fine in the end and all went to good homes where they would have the appropriate space

good luck with saving these fellas