Tropical fish info
Discussion
I've just bought a 268L column acrylic fish tank. When I fill it with water do I have to add anything to it to get the water in the correct way before entering the fish. I know where I can get the water checked.
So many questions...
Is there a good tropical fish forum I could go to?
Algae, is there an easy solution these days, because cleaning a 1.5m column tank could be tricky.
Cheers.
So many questions...
Is there a good tropical fish forum I could go to?
Algae, is there an easy solution these days, because cleaning a 1.5m column tank could be tricky.
Cheers.
Pet shops/aquatic places will spout a lot of nonsense don't listen to them.
As the other posted said fishless cycling is the way to go as it is kinder for the fish as it doesn't make the fish swim in their own waste while the filter generates the bacteria that will remove the ammonia and Nitrites.
How big is the tank as fish like to swim forwards rather than just up and down. Also if there is not a lot of open water at the top of the tank then there won't be much gas exchange so oxygen levels will be low.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/ is a great resource and I found it very useful when I set my tank up.
As the other posted said fishless cycling is the way to go as it is kinder for the fish as it doesn't make the fish swim in their own waste while the filter generates the bacteria that will remove the ammonia and Nitrites.
How big is the tank as fish like to swim forwards rather than just up and down. Also if there is not a lot of open water at the top of the tank then there won't be much gas exchange so oxygen levels will be low.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/ is a great resource and I found it very useful when I set my tank up.
groucho said:
I've just bought a 268L column acrylic fish tank. When I fill it with water do I have to add anything to it to get the water in the correct way before entering the fish. I know where I can get the water checked.
So many questions...
Is there a good tropical fish forum I could go to?
Algae, is there an easy solution these days, because cleaning a 1.5m column tank could be tricky.
Cheers.
Why not make it a marine tank?So many questions...
Is there a good tropical fish forum I could go to?
Algae, is there an easy solution these days, because cleaning a 1.5m column tank could be tricky.
Cheers.
Jasandjules said:
groucho said:
I've just bought a 268L column acrylic fish tank. When I fill it with water do I have to add anything to it to get the water in the correct way before entering the fish. I know where I can get the water checked.
So many questions...
Is there a good tropical fish forum I could go to?
Algae, is there an easy solution these days, because cleaning a 1.5m column tank could be tricky.
Cheers.
Why not make it a marine tank?So many questions...
Is there a good tropical fish forum I could go to?
Algae, is there an easy solution these days, because cleaning a 1.5m column tank could be tricky.
Cheers.
Leave the water to settle for a while and start with just a couple of fish. Don't rush to fill the tank with fish because they'll just die after a few weeks. You need to give the filters time to to grow useful bacteria and start a small eco system.
Also, don't go buying all sorts of stuff from the shops. They'll sell you anything including more fish when the first lot die if you get it wrong.
Main thing is to start slowly and don't add chemicals.
Also, don't go buying all sorts of stuff from the shops. They'll sell you anything including more fish when the first lot die if you get it wrong.
Main thing is to start slowly and don't add chemicals.
Bungleaio said:
Pet shops/aquatic places will spout a lot of nonsense don't listen to them.
As the other posted said fishless cycling is the way to go as it is kinder for the fish as it doesn't make the fish swim in their own waste while the filter generates the bacteria that will remove the ammonia and Nitrites.
How big is the tank as fish like to swim forwards rather than just up and down. Also if there is not a lot of open water at the top of the tank then there won't be much gas exchange so oxygen levels will be low.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/ is a great resource and I found it very useful when I set my tank up.
The tank is 600mm diameter, 1.5m tall.As the other posted said fishless cycling is the way to go as it is kinder for the fish as it doesn't make the fish swim in their own waste while the filter generates the bacteria that will remove the ammonia and Nitrites.
How big is the tank as fish like to swim forwards rather than just up and down. Also if there is not a lot of open water at the top of the tank then there won't be much gas exchange so oxygen levels will be low.
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/ is a great resource and I found it very useful when I set my tank up.
Yep, buy a couple of hardy fish first and let them get the bacteria growing before adding anymore fish.
For a column tank you need to add different types of fish so some will be happy being near the bottom, some happy being in the middle, and some happy being near the top. Otherwise they're all going to be crammed in the center !!
As has been said you will need some water movement as there is not much of a surface area to exchange good/bad gases.
For a column tank you need to add different types of fish so some will be happy being near the bottom, some happy being in the middle, and some happy being near the top. Otherwise they're all going to be crammed in the center !!
As has been said you will need some water movement as there is not much of a surface area to exchange good/bad gases.
SimonV8ster said:
Yep, buy a couple of hardy fish first and let them get the bacteria growing before adding anymore fish.
For a column tank you need to add different types of fish so some will be happy being near the bottom, some happy being in the middle, and some happy being near the top. Otherwise they're all going to be crammed in the center !!
As has been said you will need some water movement as there is not much of a surface area to exchange good/bad gases.
By means of a pump?For a column tank you need to add different types of fish so some will be happy being near the bottom, some happy being in the middle, and some happy being near the top. Otherwise they're all going to be crammed in the center !!
As has been said you will need some water movement as there is not much of a surface area to exchange good/bad gases.
That's good advice about the the levels. I wouldn't have give that a second thought.
Edited by groucho on Friday 5th March 16:50
SimonV8ster said:
Yep, buy a couple of hardy fish first and let them get the bacteria growing before adding anymore fish.
Boosted LS1 said:
Leave the water to settle for a while and start with just a couple of fish.
This is not advised as it's cruel on the fish, have a read of this http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?... and http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle....As for the algae I've got an algae eating fish that lives on the glass, the name of it evades me at the minute but I don't have any issues after I got him. Another way to keep the algae down is to introduce carbon dioxide and plants to use the nitrate up so algae doesn't grow.
Your tank sounds like it's going to be awkward to vac the gravel, I'm not sure what sizes the gravel vacs come in but with 1.5m of water it sounds like you'll be getting your arms wet.
I'm still learning in this hobby so I highly recommend you sign up at practical fish keeping and ask some questions there, there is some very knowledgeable people on there.
groucho said:
What about algae, is there something you can stop this with?
I have a couple of these
Their favourite thing is munching on algae.
I got em years back when I was having a bit of an Algay problem and they COMPLETELY cleaned the glass over a week.
Smallest is currently about 3 inches, the larger just over 4.
EDIT : oh yeah .... they're called "Algae Eaters" - or Big AL and Little AL to close friends.
Edited by Spitfire2 on Friday 5th March 20:30
All my tanks have started off slowly with filtration, aeriation and couple of fish. Temps have been modest to. I don't think I've ever had any issues and this fellah agrees. He's almost 30! Oh, I don't interfere with the water in anyway whatsoever. I don't add chemicals so basically it's tap water. All my fish have lived in tap water.
Just an excuse to post up his piccie
Just an excuse to post up his piccie
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Friday 5th March 20:46
Spitfire2 said:
groucho said:
What about algae, is there something you can stop this with?
I have a couple of theseTheir favourite thing is munching on algae.
I got em years back when I was having a bit of an Algay problem and they COMPLETELY cleaned the glass over a week.
Smallest is currently about 3 inches, the larger just over 4.
EDIT : oh yeah .... they're called "Algae Eaters" - or Big AL and Little AL to close friends.
Edited by Spitfire2 on Friday 5th March 20:30
Boosted LS1 said:
Spitfire2 said:
groucho said:
What about algae, is there something you can stop this with?
I have a couple of theseTheir favourite thing is munching on algae.
I got em years back when I was having a bit of an Algay problem and they COMPLETELY cleaned the glass over a week.
Smallest is currently about 3 inches, the larger just over 4.
EDIT : oh yeah .... they're called "Algae Eaters" - or Big AL and Little AL to close friends.
Edited by Spitfire2 on Friday 5th March 20:30
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