TYPICAL BEGINNER!!!

[ghent_3rd]

OK guys, I would like to thank everyone for the advice I have received so far. It has all been very helpful and I am reading some great things on other threads that are helping me out so much!!!

But obviously still being very new I might.........no sorry WILL still need plenty more help yet!

Did my first water change today and struggled to get the gravel cleaner working correctly but eventually got approx 30% water changed. Even though readings seemed OK on test results I still thought that doing a water chage can do no harm to the actual tank and the levels in there.

Gave filter media a good clean in the tank water as well sothat should keep me going for at least another 10 days now. Still going to keep testing every 2 days though to make sure I am OK to add second batch of fish on Thursday/Friday.

I currently have 2 Zebra Danios, 2 Leopard Danios and 2 Platys. Think I am going to add 3 mollies and maybe a couple of different coloured Platys next week.

One thing I have noticed is that the platys tend to stay near the middle/bottom of the tank and the Danios more towards the top and they are much more active than the Platys, whence when I come to feed them the Danios seem to be getting majority of the grub!!!

I am thinking that maybe I should add some sinking food at feeding time to give the Platys a chance withe grub, am I correct or shall I just leave it as it is and let them carry on as they are.

 

[Arashi]

Glad to hear that the forums are helping you out, ghent_3rd! I learn new things everyday, despite the fact that I keep 10 healthy tanks. It's a great resource.

Ok, on with your questions!

1. Cleaning the tank and changing the water will do no harm at all. In fact, doing a 25-30% water change every week will ensure that your fishes stay happy and healthy, and have plenty of clean water to live in. But it never hurts to check your tank parameters, after a water change. You never know when your city will put somethign dangerous in the water that could disease or even kill your fish.

2. Rinsing the filter media in the tank water is a great practice. I personally only do it once a month though.

3. I'm so bad at liters to gallons and all that eveil maths stuff , but I believe that if everything has been going good in your tank so far, that adding these should be fine. How long has the tank been established now?

4. Yup! Danios are very active fish and will almost always take all the food from the rest...little piggys. Eventually the Platies should come up to the top to feed, but if they don't, try some sinking foods and definitely get yourself some algae wafers. Platies love them and will eat them like dessert.

Hope this helps!

 

[ghent_3rd]

Thanks very much Arashi!! That has helped a lot.

To answer your question, the tank isn't yet established, fish have been in the tank for about a week now and I am cycling with fish, whence me doing relatively large water change.

Thanks again, will definately be asking you a few more questions in coming months if thats OK!!!!

 

[Arashi]

Sure anytime, and feel free to ask as much and as many questions as you want to. We're here to help! And I sound like a commercial.

Anyways, I got something to add then. If you are cycling with fish, and the cycle is still going, I wouldn't add anymore fish for about two weeks. The first week should get the tank established, and I would give the second week to the fish you already have. Give them time to aclimate, then add more fish. I know waiting a week can be hard (believe me, I've been there myself ), but it's in the best interests of the fish.

 

[clutterydrawer]

you might also try blanching some veg eg courgette or romaine lettuce and weighting it witha ebble for the platies, I beleive they're vegetarians.

platies and mollies are livebearers, have you considered what you're going to do with the babies?

 

[daza]

I read this elsewhere and followed it myself -

you can scoop out some tank water and add the flakes to it (crushing it up if the fish are small), then pour that in to the tank and the flakes will sink.

 

[Joviella]

To get my gravel cleaner to start syphoning,I submerge both ends of the tube so the tube fills with water.....place my thumb over one end and bring that end out. Magic.......syphon started!! Just make sure the outside end is lower down than the one inside the tank.HTH.

 

[ghent_3rd]

My current tank is at my girlfriends house as I spend a lot of time there.

If the Platys decide to become Mummys and Daddys then I might consider getting a relatively small tank at my Mum and Dads house to keep some of the little fellows in.

That being said I might now reconsider the Mollies and maybe go for something a bit different in a couple of weeks.

Any suggestions as to what will be good in my tank below