Setting Up A Coldwater Tank

[tibby25731]

Inspired by my tropical fish, my kid brother has decided to get a goldfish. He only has a small plastic tank so I am looking to steer him away from the goldfish and towards some mountian minnows instead. What I need to know is, do you cycle a coldwater tank in the same way as a tropical? I think he has a friend with a tropical tank who he could get some mature media from. Also, his tank has no filter - will he need one for mountain minnows? Or is there any other fish he can keep in a small coldwater tank? I might just try to convince him to keep african dwarf frogs instead.....

 

[Colin_T]

It is preferable to have a filter in any tank/ pond housing fish. It helps keep the water cleaner for longer and this makes for a more stabile environment for the fish.

It is also a good idea to try and cycle the tank before adding fish but it depends on if you want to. If you don't want to cycle the tank first then monitor the water quality and do regular partial water changes to limit the ammonia and nitrite levels that will occur during the first month or so.

White clouds are nice fish and get along with Medakas & Bitterlings. Paradise fish can live in coldwater but are territorial and usually eat their tank mates.

 

[tibby25731]

The tank my brother has got is just one of these small plastic rectangular things that you buy for a kids bedroom. I've asked him to measure it so I have more idea on size - we live at opposite ends of the country! I've seen minnows before and know he could have a few of these, of the other fish you mention, are they small fish?

 

[Colin_T]

the Medakas grow to about the size of a white cloud, maybe a couple of mm bigger but not much. Bitterlings can grow to a couple of inches and paradise fish about 4-5inches.

In a small tank I would probably go for white clouds or medakas. They are both tolerant of temperature fluctuations and will breed in an aquarium. White clouds scatter eggs in plants whereas the medakas collect a bunch of eggs and carry them around for a few hours before wiping them on some plants. Both fish will get along with their young.