New Aquarium - help me with the rest

[dug777]

meh, if you have a good live planted setup going (the only way to go imo) a monthly water change is all that they seem to need, at least my tropicals (bala shark, rainbow shark, bristlenose catfish, corydoras, hockey stick tetras and neon tetras) are very healthy and happy, and for the last few months i've been busy/lazy and vacuumed/changed ~25% of the water once a month...algae build up on the glass isn't an issue with the bristlenose catsfish i've found which is sweet I usually change the water/gravel vac twice a month tho.

 

[Infiniplex Systems]

Well, I would take a pic of the aquarium, but my Fuji finepix 3800 is going out, the LCD screens only show black when camera is on, it was twitching out before. Hopefully I still have some time left on my best buy service plan. I should anyways! If I dont, what can I do?

 

[Lvis]

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/


I suspect you'll get better info here.

 

[Infiniplex Systems]

Well, I got the tank all setup, added water condition, bacteria, now waiting. How long before I can get fish? Also, I went to walmart, and added another 10-15 gallon filter system, and it sucks towards the top. So now I have 2 filter systems going.

 

[Doodoo]

dont get an undergravel filter...theyre just a pain in the ass...with it trapping all that detritus. I kept freshwater for years before i went to saltwater. Just take it slow when you add fish to let the bacteria colonize.

 

[Infiniplex Systems]

well, since I set it up lastnight, and added the bacteria and stuff today, can I go tonight and get a few starter fish?

 

[Doodoo]

id wait at least a week and then start off with one or two hardy fish

 

[Infiniplex Systems]

what are hardy fish?

 

[Infiniplex Systems]

also, can I test the water with some sort of test? How do I know when the water is ready.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

By all means, please stay away from the Penguin Bio-wheel! They are a ripoff and those filters they have get so dirty. I use the Aquaclear 110 for my 55g cichlid tank. The bio-wheel gets dirty so fast and my water was always dirty. I then switched to the aquaclear and I change the "guts" every 2 weeks. My water condition is perfect, 0 ammonia and 0 nitrates.

As for water conditioner, this is the ONLY product I recommend. You DO NOT need to buy those stress conditioner, they are all BS. When I first got into this hobby I bought most of those conditioners and I stopped using them once I did some more research. Don't forget, these fishes came from a stream. They didnt have water conditioners. Just change your water on a regular schedule and feed 2 times a day. You'll be just fine. For water changes, do a 25% - 30% water changes. What does that equavilate to? Well, I have a 55g so if I syphon out about 2 gallons, then that should be enough. Add water from the tap and add a capful of the Prime water conditioner. Works like a charm! I've done it for 2 years now and I'm enjoying my fishes.

Oh avoid gravel and use sand for the bottom. It's much easier to clean! Less junk to get stuck inbetween the gravel.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: lilcam
Oh avoid gravel and use sand for the bottom. It's much easier to clean! Less junk to get stuck inbetween the gravel.

are you serious?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: lilcam
Oh avoid gravel and use sand for the bottom. It's much easier to clean! Less junk to get stuck inbetween the gravel.

are you serious?

what you mean?

 

[Infiniplex Systems]

Well, I went to petsmart, and bought 9 tiger barbs, 3 different types. Going to release them in about 20 mins, what do u guys think?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Infiniplex Systems
Well, I went to petsmart, and bought 9 tiger barbs, 3 different types. Going to release them in about 20 mins, what do u guys think?

they'll survive. I placed 3 when I cycled my tank and they all survived until I added my african cichlids

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: lilcam
Oh avoid gravel and use sand for the bottom. It's much easier to clean! Less junk to get stuck inbetween the gravel.

are you serious?

what you mean?

How would you clean the sand, you couldn't use any type of suction because you wouldn't have any sand left.

 

[salt9876]

Just buy a freaking male betta fish. They live well with other fishies.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

no they dont ...

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: lilcam

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: lilcam
Oh avoid gravel and use sand for the bottom. It's much easier to clean! Less junk to get stuck inbetween the gravel.

are you serious?

what you mean?

How would you clean the sand, you couldn't use any type of suction because you wouldn't have any sand left.

BINGO! Nothing gets stuck to the sand like it does in the gravel. Less gunk to remove, you'll find most of it in the filter. Believe me, all you need to do is move the sand with a swift motion once in a while. Besides, the fishes will pick at it and the water current will move it, therefore, less poop to get stuck at the bottom.

 

[Sex Smurf]

10% weekly water changes are good
stay away from undergravel filters
do NOT get long finned fishes to put with your tiger barbs
do NOT buy fishes from stores that do not remove their dead/sick fishes
if you get expensive fish, buy a quarantine tank (10 gallons) to place new fishes in first - don't want to spread any disease to the fishes you like.
get a plastic deep sea diver dude


It's a shame that you didn't go the live plant route. You'd need less filtration and bubbles. Maybe later on when you've attained a level 10 aquarium skill.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: KK
I got the same 46 gallon bow front aquarium. For the filter I got a canister fluval 304 on it. I had a 404 on it but it died on me about 6 monthes ago. Luckily I still had the 304 that I replaced it with. Fish wise, I have some african cichlids. I like the solid color cichlids best, like the blue and orange ones. As far as cleaning it, I got one of those pythons, it sure makes it easy. Although I probably haven't cleaned it in atleast 6 months. Also to get supplies, I would recommend buying from bigalsonline.com They seem to have the best prices. The fluvals there are hell of alot cheaper there than at petsmart.

6 Months hun? You do realize that african cichlids usually like having a 50% weekly water change

To the OP. That bacteria stuff the fish store is junk so you might as well not bother with it. There is only one bacterial starter that works and it kinda hard to get and must remain refridgerated.

Fluvals are junk filters so stay away from them. The best bang for your bunk in canister filters is actually the Rena Filstar line, big and cheap filters.

The neatest heater I have seen are the Hydor Inline Aquarium Heaters They go in the filter return line and keep your tank uncluttered.

Another way to cycle is called "fishless cycling" and is probably a little much for you to deal with. It involves adding daily amounts of pure ammonia to your tank and keep checking to see when it cycles. Pretty slick.

edited. Go visit a fish forum. Too much misinformation here.

He speaks the truth.

Setting my 90 gallon tank up a year ago Changed alot of stuff since them.

 

[FrequencyX]

Tiger Barbs are notorious fin nippers btw

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: RaDragon
I don't know how you guys manage the larger tanks!
I started with some free fish I won at a fiesta and put them in a gallon acrylic tank. Now I have 3 comet golfish in a 6 gallon tank and it's already too much work for me. Overall, though my fishies still bring me great joy.
Partial water changes is crucial and yah, don't get goldfish 'cuz I feel like they're high maintenance.

I keep goldfish and koi in a 40 gal tank with undergravel filter, and they are no more work or trouble than my tropicals. It's amazing how big even comet goldfish get in a large tank with proper filtration and aeration. Much better than those tiny 'goldfish bowls' that so many people use.