Softwater to Hardwater

[mcordelia]

what I believe @Colin_T is saying is that he doesn't think there is a "happy medium" of hardness that the fish species can coexist in, thus it would be better for their long term health to be kept in an environment that most accurately matches their species' natural hardness.

With regard to the original question, when moving the fish the best approach would be to try and take as much water with you as you are able to (for example, canisters of fresh tap water from your tap) then slowly acclimate the fish (over the course of a few weeks) to a new mix of RO/DI water + tap water from your new home to match the original hardness, or whatever hardness you are targeting.

 

[Silencedogood]

what I believe @Colin_T is saying is that he doesn't think there is a "happy medium" of hardness that the fish species can coexist in, thus it would be better for their long term health to be kept in an environment that most accurately matches their species' natural hardness.

With regard to the original question, when moving the fish the best approach would be to try and take as much water with you as you are able to (for example, canisters of fresh tap water from your tap) then slowly acclimate the fish (over the course of a few weeks) to a new mix of RO/DI water + tap water from your new home to match the original hardness, or whatever hardness you are targeting.

I think that's what I'm going to do. But where is the beneficial bacteria in the tank? I don't want to have to recycle as I have around 80 fish I'm bringing with me.
Also, is it best to use automatic fish feeders or the vacation fish food that you drop in the tank?

 

[Essjay]

The bacteria are in the filter, in the substrate, on the decor etc. Just keep all those wet during the move.

 

[Silencedogood]

The bacteria are in the filter, in the substrate, on the decor etc. Just keep all those wet during the move.

Good to know thank you

 

[mcordelia]

Don't use those vacation fish food blocks. It will all just rot in your tank and cause an ammonia spike and kill your fish.

This style of auto feeder collects humidity and will eventually not dispense accurate portions: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083SFKGRY/?tag=ff0d01-20

This style of auto feeder works better, since you control the portion size. Risk of humidity with this one is that food will clump together and not dispense properly, but that's a much better option than overfeeding the fish. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CN6HWNK/?tag=ff0d01-20

Finally, tape your auto feeder to whatever surface you set it down on! I've heard way too many stories of auto feeders ending up in the tank, on the floor, missing the hole, whatever, because they move due to their own mechanical actions and are light enough to not really stay in place.

 

[EllRog]

But I want to keep them together...

Betta's aren't community fish anyway

 

[Silencedogood]

Betta's aren't community fish anyway

I know they typically aren't but I got this betta when it was a baby and I raised it in my community tank and it is super docile.

 

[Silencedogood]

Don't use those vacation fish food blocks. It will all just rot in your tank and cause an ammonia spike and kill your fish.

This style of auto feeder collects humidity and will eventually not dispense accurate portions: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083SFKGRY/?tag=ff0d01-20

This style of auto feeder works better, since you control the portion size. Risk of humidity with this one is that food will clump together and not dispense properly, but that's a much better option than overfeeding the fish. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CN6HWNK/?tag=ff0d01-20

Finally, tape your auto feeder to whatever surface you set it down on! I've heard way too many stories of auto feeders ending up in the tank, on the floor, missing the hole, whatever, because they move due to their own mechanical actions and are light enough to not really stay in place.

I was thinking of using this one Imagitarium Automatic Fish Feeder | Petco

 

[Colin_T]

Why do you want an automatic feeder for?
Fish can go without food for days, weeks and even months if they are well fed before you go away. They don't get food every day in the wild and many fish go weeks between meals.

 

[Silencedogood]

Why do you want an automatic feeder for?
Fish can go without food for days, weeks and even months if they are well fed before you go away. They don't get food every day in the wild and many fish go weeks between meals.

?I've heard varied opinions about this. I feel better knowing that they will be fed, especially since I have small livebearers with the adults.

 

[Colin_T]

If you have baby fish then they do need to be fed regularly so an auto feeder might help with them. Having lots of live plants in the tank with the babies will help provide them with some food too. They can pick at the algae and other microscopic life living on the plants.

 

[Silencedogood]

Actually, I would only be gone for 2 1/2 days so they might be okay. They are a couple of months old so they aren't super small.
I do have live plants and I was planning to get more before I leave.

 

[Colin_T]

A couple of days is fine for any fish that is half grown or bigger. If you had baby fish, less than a month old, they need feeding every day, but fish that are a couple of months old and usually fine missing a meal every now and then.

 

[Silencedogood]

So will they be okay if I leave them for 2 1/2 days? They aren't half grown yet.

 

[Colin_T]

What sort of fish are they and how big are they?