Tropical Fish - any experts on here?
Discussion
Hi all.
I am now the proud owner of a 65 litre tropical fish tank, which is currently coming up to temperature and settling itself. I have been advised by the shop to leave the tank for a week and a half before adding any fish to it.
So, my question is - how do I go about making sure they don't all die once they go in? Should I get a particular species that is fairly hardy and will cope while the tank / filter to adapt before adding more fish?
I want to create a community tank, and I have been advised that the tank I have will accommodate roughly 20 - 25 small fish and 4-5 larger fish.
Does that sound about right?
Thanks for any help people can offer.
I am now the proud owner of a 65 litre tropical fish tank, which is currently coming up to temperature and settling itself. I have been advised by the shop to leave the tank for a week and a half before adding any fish to it.
So, my question is - how do I go about making sure they don't all die once they go in? Should I get a particular species that is fairly hardy and will cope while the tank / filter to adapt before adding more fish?
I want to create a community tank, and I have been advised that the tank I have will accommodate roughly 20 - 25 small fish and 4-5 larger fish.
Does that sound about right?
Thanks for any help people can offer.
Hi R99
I keep Marine fish and get all my info and help from the practical fishkeeping forums. The people on there are very helpful and really know there stuff. One thing I will say is take your time, I has taken me over a year to set up my tank so far and I still haven't finished!( Link thing below )
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk
Good luck with it.
I keep Marine fish and get all my info and help from the practical fishkeeping forums. The people on there are very helpful and really know there stuff. One thing I will say is take your time, I has taken me over a year to set up my tank so far and I still haven't finished!( Link thing below )
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk
Good luck with it.
Although not an expert, most important thing with a new tank is to cycle it so that basically a "system" is set up which can deal with the fish waste.
In simple terms, fish waste decomposes and creates ammonia (which is bad for fish).
This then is broken down by the bacteria etc in your filter to form Nitrites (which is very bad for fish).
In turn this is broken down further into Nitrates (which is not bad for fish but which tends to lead to algae growth as it is a foodstuff for plants). This is controlled by doing regular partial water changes, and also is reduced by planting your aquarium with real plants, and mossballs etc...
With a new tank, adding fish immediately creates a spike in ammonia levels as there is a delay before "ammonia eating" bacteria develop.
Then, when they develop, you get a spike in nitrite levels as now the ammonia is being converted into nitrite, but it takes time for "nitrite eating" bacteria to develop.
Once the "nitrite eating" bacteria have developed, and both them and the "ammonia eating" bacteria are of sufficient numbers, and there is a regular initial supply of ammonia to keep the whole thing stable, your tank is said to be "cycled".
Doing any water test on your tank should give you both ammonia and nitrite levels of essentially zero.
In order to get a tank to this stage, you can introduce fish at the start, and gradually add to their numbers as the bacteria develop, but this stresses the fish lots, and you run the risk of several not making it.
A more humane way is to cycle your tank using "fishless cycling", which mean that you have to wait a bit longer before putting fish in the tank, but they'll be a lot happier as a result. It basically involves artificially dosing the tank with ammonia and getting the bacteria to develop before putting fish in.
You will need a source of pure ammonia (boots sell it), and a liquid test kit (very important - paper strip based water test kits are not very good).
Check out this link (and other articles on the site) for more info.
While you're cycling the tank it gives you plenty of time to research exactly what fish you want to put in there.
Although the above might sound a bit complex, it's not really - you soon get used to it.
Good luck, and have fun!
In simple terms, fish waste decomposes and creates ammonia (which is bad for fish).
This then is broken down by the bacteria etc in your filter to form Nitrites (which is very bad for fish).
In turn this is broken down further into Nitrates (which is not bad for fish but which tends to lead to algae growth as it is a foodstuff for plants). This is controlled by doing regular partial water changes, and also is reduced by planting your aquarium with real plants, and mossballs etc...
With a new tank, adding fish immediately creates a spike in ammonia levels as there is a delay before "ammonia eating" bacteria develop.
Then, when they develop, you get a spike in nitrite levels as now the ammonia is being converted into nitrite, but it takes time for "nitrite eating" bacteria to develop.
Once the "nitrite eating" bacteria have developed, and both them and the "ammonia eating" bacteria are of sufficient numbers, and there is a regular initial supply of ammonia to keep the whole thing stable, your tank is said to be "cycled".
Doing any water test on your tank should give you both ammonia and nitrite levels of essentially zero.
In order to get a tank to this stage, you can introduce fish at the start, and gradually add to their numbers as the bacteria develop, but this stresses the fish lots, and you run the risk of several not making it.
A more humane way is to cycle your tank using "fishless cycling", which mean that you have to wait a bit longer before putting fish in the tank, but they'll be a lot happier as a result. It basically involves artificially dosing the tank with ammonia and getting the bacteria to develop before putting fish in.
You will need a source of pure ammonia (boots sell it), and a liquid test kit (very important - paper strip based water test kits are not very good).
Check out this link (and other articles on the site) for more info.
While you're cycling the tank it gives you plenty of time to research exactly what fish you want to put in there.
Although the above might sound a bit complex, it's not really - you soon get used to it.
Good luck, and have fun!
Its quite rare to see, but the post above by C&C is pretty much spot on. I'll add a couple of things though:
The bacteria that break down ammonia and nitrites live in the filter media, so as such if you know someone who has an established tank with an internal filter you can pinch a small amount of their filter media and move it into your filter, meaning you have an instantly cycled filter. Where do you live? If its anywhere near me I'll sort you out some used filter media, I keep spare filters running in my tanks for that purpose.
You'll need dechlorinator if you haven't go any already, this needs to be added at water changes (imo you should be doing 30% weekly - two buckets basically) as chlorine in the tank water kills the nitrifying bacteria.
Now to the important bit: YOU CANNOT RELY ON A FISH SHOP FOR ADVICE ON STOCKING. I say that with some emphasis as I'm a member on fishforums.net, and have spent hours of my life helping out people who've been given bad advice, so until you've verified any stocking list independantly (fishforums.net is a good site for advice, and I'm sure PFK forum members will sort you out as well) don't add any fish.
If you've got no preference as to what you want a the moment, heres a fairly simple stocking list that will be perfectly happy in a 65L - I've linked pictures for you. All are sold by most good fish shops:
1 x Bolivian Ram
1 x Honey Hourami
8 x Ember Tetras
6 x Panda Corys
ETA:
Thats a simple stocking list for you. If theres any certain type of fish you like, let me know what it is and I'll let you know if it'll be okay in that tank, or has any special conditions. In fact the best option would be to go down to your local fish shop (LFS) and see what you like. Make a note of the name and post up the stuff you like on here, and I'll try and come up with a list based around that.
And don't dismiss the corys above - they're ugly as sin, but they've got more character than alot more colourful fish
The bacteria that break down ammonia and nitrites live in the filter media, so as such if you know someone who has an established tank with an internal filter you can pinch a small amount of their filter media and move it into your filter, meaning you have an instantly cycled filter. Where do you live? If its anywhere near me I'll sort you out some used filter media, I keep spare filters running in my tanks for that purpose.
You'll need dechlorinator if you haven't go any already, this needs to be added at water changes (imo you should be doing 30% weekly - two buckets basically) as chlorine in the tank water kills the nitrifying bacteria.
Now to the important bit: YOU CANNOT RELY ON A FISH SHOP FOR ADVICE ON STOCKING. I say that with some emphasis as I'm a member on fishforums.net, and have spent hours of my life helping out people who've been given bad advice, so until you've verified any stocking list independantly (fishforums.net is a good site for advice, and I'm sure PFK forum members will sort you out as well) don't add any fish.
If you've got no preference as to what you want a the moment, heres a fairly simple stocking list that will be perfectly happy in a 65L - I've linked pictures for you. All are sold by most good fish shops:
1 x Bolivian Ram
1 x Honey Hourami
8 x Ember Tetras
6 x Panda Corys
ETA:
Thats a simple stocking list for you. If theres any certain type of fish you like, let me know what it is and I'll let you know if it'll be okay in that tank, or has any special conditions. In fact the best option would be to go down to your local fish shop (LFS) and see what you like. Make a note of the name and post up the stuff you like on here, and I'll try and come up with a list based around that.
And don't dismiss the corys above - they're ugly as sin, but they've got more character than alot more colourful fish
Edited by tenohfive on Tuesday 29th September 16:14
Tenohfive makes some very good points.
Regarding stocking, one fish not often seen but great as a community fish, small - so suited to a small tank, and still colourful is the Endler's Livebearer:
They're not that common but a group of 3 or 4 make for an interesting addition to your tank. They are very small - 2-3cms.
Be aware though that only the male is so coloutful - the female is slightly larger and a drab grey/brown. In common with other (larger) guppies, they will breed fairly readily.
They also tend to inhabit the middle/upper areas of the tank.
When looking to source fish, the following link may be helpful.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
Regarding stocking, one fish not often seen but great as a community fish, small - so suited to a small tank, and still colourful is the Endler's Livebearer:
They're not that common but a group of 3 or 4 make for an interesting addition to your tank. They are very small - 2-3cms.
Be aware though that only the male is so coloutful - the female is slightly larger and a drab grey/brown. In common with other (larger) guppies, they will breed fairly readily.
They also tend to inhabit the middle/upper areas of the tank.
When looking to source fish, the following link may be helpful.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on.
Thanks for the advice so far folks.
I'm going to go out and get some more sand and some live plants then I will begin the fishless cycling process once I get some ammonia from Boots.
I will post up my findings once I get going.
P.S, tenohfive; I live in the North East - not sure where you are based?
I'm going to go out and get some more sand and some live plants then I will begin the fishless cycling process once I get some ammonia from Boots.
I will post up my findings once I get going.
P.S, tenohfive; I live in the North East - not sure where you are based?
Edited by R99 on Wednesday 30th September 01:59
tenohfive said:
6 x Panda Corys
And don't dismiss the corys above - they're ugly as sin, but they've got more character than alot more colourful fish
They have an interesting habit of diving up to the top of the tank and bombing back down again, I think they have the ability to process a small amount of oxygen out of the air.
As tenohfive says, they really are community fish, they will follow each other round the tank, grubbing at the gravel looking for food
Cherry barbs are another thought, though like a lot of fish, its only the male that has a deep cherry red colour, and when you get two males squaring up to each other they go a vibrant red colour. Grow to 1 1/2 inches
I also have a male Bristlenose Plecostamos (Commonly just called a Bristlenose plec.)He's an ugly bugger which gives him his own character, and goes round the tank rasping at the algea, seems to spend most of his time stuck upside down in a hollow log. He's fully grown and about 6 inches long.
Good call on the endlers, the males are gorgeous.
Another one to consider is pentazona barbs. They aren't especially popular (though still easy to get hold of) but I really rate them. I got half a dozen juveniles as peaceful shoalers for a community tank, and the colouring in the males has really come up recently - they look great. Even before then though they put some life into the tank.
Another one to consider is pentazona barbs. They aren't especially popular (though still easy to get hold of) but I really rate them. I got half a dozen juveniles as peaceful shoalers for a community tank, and the colouring in the males has really come up recently - they look great. Even before then though they put some life into the tank.
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