| Forum: General Discussion |
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| Topic: Baby Fish |
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| Re: Baby Fish [message #10067] |
Wed, 20 August 2008 00:22 |
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Ok you need to start changing one quarter of the water in your tank each week. I also suggest getting a chemical reading kit for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH values to see how your water is. This is just a guess but I would say because of the extra babies now in the tank, there is extra ammonia in the tank and its probably making it go into the danger zone for the fish. Checking the chemicals in your water is the only way to really know how much ammonia is in the tank. For now just start doing the regular water changes. Actually, the very first water change I would make for fifty percent if you had a fish die. After that, one quarter of the tank a week should be fine. Good luck to you.
Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com
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| Forum: Tanks, Filtration, etc. |
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| Topic: Problems with my tank GRRRRRRR! |
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| Re: Problems with my tank GRRRRRRR! [message #10068] |
Wed, 20 August 2008 00:42 |
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Your nitrates are way to high. They should only be between 10-15ppm.
I'm afraid it does sound like your tank has never completed it's cycle. Is the filter media in the filter the same filter media you started out with in February? There are two reasons I ask, If you say yes, Then I would say that is your nitrate problem, but I would also say that your tank should be cycled.
If you say no and you have been replacing it then I would also say your tank is not cycled.
Try doing a 50 percent water change. NO HEATER!
Gold fish and pleckos don't need heaters unless it's under 65 degrees in the tank. That's really cold to the touch.\
NO I have never heard of using another person's gravel causing a nitrate issue unless it's filled with dead fish and plants. Then of course you should have cleaned the gravel before placing it in your tank. There is tons of controversy over using gravels. It is suggested to use someone else's gravel to aid in cycling your tank if theirs was cycled. As long as you know their fish were disease free, this is a good way to start out your tank. You should really have a natural gravel in your tank. Try to stay away from painted gravels and the ones that are man made with plaster/clay stuff that crumbles when you squeeze it. Because you have just a gold fish and pleckos, you don't really need any gravel. I would go get some nice marbles or glass rocks for that tank. The pleckos will most likely get more food off the glass rocks then the gravel.
Also, once every two to three months, you have to clean those HOB (hang on the back) filters. Inside and out, even the out put and intake. A lot of times this causes nitrates.
You should have good water movement on the top of the tank, this aids in lowering nitrates and supplying better oxygen to your fish. For now I would deffinetly start once a week water changes. Especially in a ten gallon tank. It's too small to be doing water changes so far apart.
Also remember this when adding a plecko to a ten gallon tank, eventually that plecko is going to out grow the tank and it's sad to stunt him in a ten gallon. I know a lady who did it because she had no where else to take her plecko that was practically covering the whole bottom of the ten gallon tank. The plecko ended up developing these sores all over his body because he wasn't getting any circulation from not being able to swim. Not to mention, they can't get enough food off the glass or from the owner because that much food would cause such ammonia and nitrate issues in the tank and the waste produced from said fish. So please think about getting rid of any pleckos that reaches over six inches in a ten gallon tank. Just food for thought!
Good luck and you can catch my act here again tomorrow at the same bat time, same bat channel if you have any other questions.
Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com
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| Re: Problems with my tank GRRRRRRR! [message #10069] |
Wed, 20 August 2008 11:58 |
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Hey again! Thanks so much for your time! The filter that is in there is only about a month old, and I bought it brand new. I do have the painted gravel in the tank (its maid for aquariums) but I think that glass would be really neat to, so I think I might switch it today.
I totally understand that plecos have to be upgraded. These ones that I have had in the tank were only maybe an inch or so now. I really just need an otocinclus (bad spelling) they stay really tiny, but I am not sure that they can handle the cooler temps. the tank is empty now, (still set up but empty with no fish) I think I might just look into getting some puffers in there for him. I was just wondering if in any way the heater might help the tank cycle?? I know that goldfish dont need them, but if it will help the tank then I will just switch to another kind of fish. I have been through so many goldfish...I feel so bad! I just did a small water change yesterday and I put some prime in it this morning. I will check it again tomarrow and maybe romove the gravel, do a water change and add the glass rocks. Where is a good place to get the rocks? Will the ones at a craft store work? Or does it have to be the tiny bags of them from the pet stores? Im not in a hurry for it to cycle now, I will just wait for it to do so, and when its done, then we will pick out something to put in there.
On the good side...Water is going into my 55 today! yayyyy! Pray that that one doesnt have as many problems!!!
thanks again all!!! 
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