what about these fish in a 8ft tank

[Cheese Specialist]

the bloke in the shop said it would only grow to about 3-4 ins max

have not got it yet getting it saturday

what is the different about the two fish

I think you need to do more research before buying fish!!

Hillstreams are loaches, plecs are catfish. Plecs are tropical, hillstreams are coldwater. Hillstreams eatr micro-organisms within algae, plecs eat all different things from meat to lettuce.

There are hundereds of different kinds of plecs, relitavley few species of loaches.

You'll need to find out what the fish is for sure, I imagine it's a hillstream and in which case you may run into problems.

Do you have air pumps and stones?

 

[loates123]

think it is a hillstream for sure as it is kept in a coldwater tank in the shop and they are all sticking to the side of the tank...

i have rocks and 10mm gravel in the tank.
have a good filter
dont have a air pump , may get what do u know what the prices are may get one for a tressure chest the kids keep going on about one..is a air pump needed if so why?

the filter seems to pump a lot of water out 1300 litres per hour

what problems may i get with a a hillstream

also wont the gungeton get rid of algea

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Well, as I said earlier 1300 isn't acutally very good for a 8ft tank IMO. I have a 1000 for a 37UK gallon (4 ft) and for a 2ft cube.

I think you are going to be way underfiltrated at that amount of lph.

I repeat, you need to do mre research. Hillstream loaches are from streams and fast flowing water (hense why they are so apt at sticking to things).

You will need a very big airpump to keep hillstreams happy in that size of tank.

I have no idea about 'gundeton' as I don't know about them.

I don't think you should get any hillstream loaches. They are too small and will not be in the environment they need, they need very clean, fast oxygenated water. I don't think you are going to be able to provide that.

 

[loates123]

ok thanks for that.
what is the main reason for air pumps
is it for toys etc
on for more oxygen in the water

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Have a read of this and look here for more information on different hillstreams.

HTH

 

[Cheese Specialist]

ok thanks for that.
what is the main reason for air pumps
is it for toys etc
on for more oxygen in the water

It's because they need the water to be fast flowing and well oxygenated. Not for toys!!!

The fish need this, it's not for fun.

The movement in the water will help get oxygen into it, not the bubbles themselves. What do you think about what I said about the filter? What is the tank capacity, 1300lph is way off.

Is it really an 8ft tank, or the 4ft you first mentioned?

PS> Please see my above post with info links

 

[loates123]

it sreally a 4 ft tank by 18ins x 18ins

 

[Cheese Specialist]

it sreally a 4 ft tank by 18ins x 18ins

Well, that's 55 UK gallons and not really very big for what you have in it. Your filter may be good enough after all but considering the fish you have in there you might want to get another. Perhaps an internal to make the water flow.

To keep hillstreams you will need an air pump and may be a bubble wall rather than a stone as these need less powerful pumps IME.

To be honest, I'd advise against adding hillstreams.

 

[loates123]

my fitter costed me £100, and seems to be pumping out very fast its a fluvel 404.

do i really also need to get a AIR PUMP is so what type....any links would be great and would this go at the other side of the tank


here is a picture of my tank .
what do u think of the lay out
only have 5 fish in at the moment

http/us.f1f.yahoofs.com/bc/3fa51fe5_a358...f9NplAB9O4Ou7Gx

i have added a few plants since and can show more pictures later if needed

 

[ryan]

55!! A Barbel will out grow that very quickly. As Cheese says Hillstream Loaches need fast, cool and well oxygenated water like their natural enviroment Hillstreams. The other fish you have like Tench and Barbel will not apprecaite fast currents as they tend to live in static or nearly static lakes and rivers. A small oxygenation pump for coldwater fish is always a good idea as most of them need a high oxygen content in their water like Rudd, fish like Barbels and Tench will not need it but can live with it just the same. The Gudgeon require much the same enviroment as the Hillstream Loaches - fast, cool and well oxygenated.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

You will need an air pump to keep hillstreams, I can't say fot the other fish.

I don't know where you are in the country but air pumps are easily available. They can be bought second hand off eBay or new from many websites. Try doing a google search. Maybe look here Aquatics Online. I got a cheap filter here.

Although your filter may be seemingly going fast, you have to remember that your fish are small now and you'll want to avoid any problems as they get bigger. I'd advise an fluval 4+ internal filter available for about £25

 

[loates123]

any links to a web site uk based what sales them at a good price would be great

 

[Cheese Specialist]

any links to a web site uk based what sales them at a good price would be great

I gave you one!!

I just looked at them, they sell a fluval 4+ which does 1000 litres per hour for £25.75. They also do air pumps but as ryan has said some of your fish want movement some don't. I think you'll have to choose between them.

I just had a thought, the fluval 4 has an adapter that allows for air to be pushed into the water. I used this for my hillstreams when they were in my 4ft x 1ft tank but I do not think it would be enough for you. Maybe for the Gudgeon

 

[loates123]

thanks i missed that link..

so do i want a air pump or another filter , sorry getting a little confused here.

just took some more photos here they are.
could not get a shot of the green tench he was under a rock but is smaller than the golden tench.....

http/uk.f1.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/loa...s123/lst?.dir=/

 

[Cheese Specialist]

thanks i missed that link..

so do i want a air pump or another filter , sorry getting a little confused here.

As I have said many times...

You need fast flowing water for hillstreams, so yes to keep them you need an airpump.

But, as ryan has said other fish in the tank like still water. It's up to you to choose which one you go for!

IMO you need the fluval 4+ to give you adequate filtration and you'll need surface movement to get oxygen into the water, especially as coldwater fish need more oxygen.

I was just saying that the fluval 4 has an adaptor so air can be pushed in from above the surface level. This will not be enough for hillstreams but it may be for gudgeon.

I have tried to help, but you don't seem to be reading the posts before replying and lying about the situation to us not going to help us help you.