Water Treatments

[dyson83]

HI THERE JUST STARTED UP A NEW TANK AND ADDED MY FIRST FISH. 5 MALE GUPPIES AND 1 RED FINNED BLACK SHARK.
DOES ANYONE KNOW ANY GOOD WATER TREATMENTS I SHOULD BE USING I AM STILL USIN THE ONES THAT CAME WITH THE TANK.

THANKS

 

[Breeze7050]

Hello Dyson and welcome to the Forum!
We will need some additional info in order to help you out a little more!
First of all, did you cycle your tank before going out and getting fish? What exactly came with tank - in terms of water treatments?
Also, how big is your tank? Do you have a water testing kit? These are highly recommended so you can know the exact numbers of nitrite, nitrate, and of course ammonia.

If you could answer these few questions we will be able to help you out much better.
Thanks!

 

[dyson83]

Hello Dyson and welcome to the Forum!
We will need some additional info in order to help you out a little more!
First of all, did you cycle your tank before going out and getting fish? What exactly came with tank - in terms of water treatments?
Also, how big is your tank? Do you have a water testing kit? These are highly recommended so you can know the exact numbers of nitrite, nitrate, and of course ammonia.

If you could answer these few questions we will be able to help you out much better.
Thanks!

hi yes i did cycle the tank.
the tank is a 60ltr
the water treatments where AQUA PLUS AND CYCLE
I have ph testing kit which is showing as fine
i was told this was all i needed by the shop but after some re-search i dont think this is correct.
the fish so far seem happy and healthy.
Also what is the recamended amount of daily feeds as there is lots of different sites suggesting different amounts.

many thanks

 

[vinylman]

Hi Dyson,
Did the LFS tell you how big the Black Shark will get?.

 

[Breeze7050]

Dyson - unfortunately, I am not from the UK so hopefully someone will jump in on the products you got - as I am not sure.
Ideally for each water change you will need to add a dechlorinator - possibly the aqua plus ?? It just takes all the harmful chemicals out of your tap water making it okay to use after a water change.
Ideally you need a test kit that tests Nitrite, Nitrate, and ammonia - the most widely used one (and best according to most the folks on here) is the API Master Test Kit. It would be good to pick one of those up at your earliest convenience.

As for feedings, I generally feed my fish a small pinch twice a day - for you, a very small pinch as guppies are pretty small. You should feed as much as they will consume in just a few minutes. It is okay - and generally recommended to fast them 1 day/week. As we know, fish in the wild generally do not get a morning/noon/dinner type of meal!!
HTH and hopefully a UK'er with some more knowledge then myself will hope on and give you more info about the Aqua Plus and Cycle!

 

[dyson83]

Hi Dyson,
Did the LFS tell you how big the Black Shark will get?.

hi there yes is wont get much bigger than it is, there was 3 sizes sml, mdm and lrg i choose the sml.

Dyson - unfortunately, I am not from the UK so hopefully someone will jump in on the products you got - as I am not sure.
Ideally for each water change you will need to add a dechlorinator - possibly the aqua plus ?? It just takes all the harmful chemicals out of your tap water making it okay to use after a water change.
Ideally you need a test kit that tests Nitrite, Nitrate, and ammonia - the most widely used one (and best according to most the folks on here) is the API Master Test Kit. It would be good to pick one of those up at your earliest convenience.

As for feedings, I generally feed my fish a small pinch twice a day - for you, a very small pinch as guppies are pretty small. You should feed as much as they will consume in just a few minutes. It is okay - and generally recommended to fast them 1 day/week. As we know, fish in the wild generally do not get a morning/noon/dinner type of meal!!
HTH and hopefully a UK'er with some more knowledge then myself will hope on and give you more info about the Aqua Plus and Cycle!

thanks for the info,
all help is welcomed

 

[Arimus]

Dyson, is it one of the Elite starter tanks (maidenhead aquatics sell them - with the same treatments just curious)? If so the aqua plus is the dechlorinator...

 

[TerraDreamer]

Hi Dyson,
Did the LFS tell you how big the Black Shark will get?.

hi there yes is wont get much bigger than it is, there was 3 sizes sml, mdm and lrg i choose the sml.

Those three sizes are the current growth size of the fish. Based on what I've read (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), your shark will reach 6" in length and ultimately requires a 30" - 36" long tank. It'll probably eat your guppies for lunch. You should always research fish before buying. Google is your friend.

 

[dyson83]

Dyson, is it one of the Elite starter tanks (maidenhead aquatics sell them - with the same treatments just curious)? If so the aqua plus is the dechlorinator...

yes it is one of the elite starter tanks.
does that mean i need more water treatments?

Hi Dyson,
Did the LFS tell you how big the Black Shark will get?.

hi there yes is wont get much bigger than it is, there was 3 sizes sml, mdm and lrg i choose the sml.

Those three sizes are the current growth size of the fish. Based on what I've read (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), your shark will reach 6" in length and ultimately requires a 30" - 36" long tank. It'll probably eat your guppies for lunch. You should always research fish before buying. Google is your friend.

what i read about them is they rarly outgrow the tank they are kept in so i didnt see it as a prob however he has already wiped out two of my guppies so i returned him to the shop this afternoon.

thanks for the info

 

[Arimus]

Don't believe anyone who says fish won't out grow their tank. Fish will grow to the size nature intended regardless of the size of their 'home'.

As to other water treatments god knows.... I'm new to this as well - my tank is just quietly sitting in the corner of the room bubbling away while I wait for it cycle... having said that speaking to our lfs (Maidenhead Aquatics in Cardiff) the aqua plus and the other one (cycle) are sufficient to get a tank going...

Looking forward to getting some fish in my tank once it is ready.