Air Bubbler Question For A One Gallon Tank

[erintangerine]

Total newbie here. Three questions.

AIR BUBBLER
Just got my first fish tank: a fancy looking but not very functional cube tank called a "fish hotel." It's just over one gallon. I have three White Cloud Mountain Minnows in it. The store sold me a Penn-Plax air bubbler thing with a small air stone on the end to disperse the bubbles. This thing is LOUD. I've got it on a piece of fabric on a solid surface--that helped a little.

But the air stone within the thank (not the pump motor) seem to be the source of the noise. The only thing that has helped is using a bobby pin to clamp down on the air tube to slow/lessen the seemingly overly powerful air flow. This makes the bubbling in the tank a bit more gentle and cut down on the noise. But am I harming the fish? Should they have a constant, churning movement within the tank or a more gentle movement? Do I even need this bubbler? If I do need the bubbler, do they sell models that put out a more modest air flow for a tiny tank? (I'm assuming my bobby pin solution will eventually ruin the tubing an I'll need to buy something new in a hurry.)

GRAVEL
Because the tank is so small, I decided to skip the gravel. Is gravel healthier or more engaging for fish or are they ambivalent about it?

FEEDING
I've never cared for an animal this small. I've been giving the three of them one flake of TetraColor to share each day. Should it be more like every other day or even less frequently?

They're just minnows but I totally adore them and want them to be healthy. Help! And thanks in advance for your answers. I really appreciate it!

 

[Cossie1111]

There are some that will say an airstone is not adequate filtration for the WCMM. However some will say the airstone is fine. IMO, it should be alright, as long as you do water changes every few days (which should be easy in such a small tank).

(There may also be people that say the fish should be in a bigger group)

In regards to gravel, you dont HAVE to have it, unless you have UG filtration, it not absolutely necessary and is there to look good.

And your feeding routine sounds fine, I also suggest you dont feed them one day a week.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

I'm surprised more of the 'overstocked tank' brigade haven't chipped in yet. Especially as this time it really is!

erintangerine if, as you say, you want your minnows to be healthy then you need a bigger tank. Minnows, like the majority of fish, like to be with lots of their own kind or, at the very least, six minimum. Then I would expect them to be in a 30l tank (at least) to make them really happy.

The 4l 'tank' is a joke (no offence meant to you). Also does it have a filter as you didn't mention that? If not then as cossie said you need to make daily water changes to stop the toxins building up and killing your minnows.

Also, minnows are a temperate fish, so they'll tolerate temperatures down to about 18C. If it gets colder than that where you are (perhaps at night) then you'll also need a heater.

 

[erintangerine]

Thank you so much, Cossie and Prime Ordeal for your sage advice. As a newcomer, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I'm also writing to tell you: you're completely correct! This tank is way too small. Thank you for calling me on that and for all the other tips and thoughts. I learned the hard way that the thank is too small and needs a top--one of my minnows had too much fun and jumped out to his death. I am a 28-year-old grown woman and I cried over that fish (ok, wept) for a good 90 minutes. I swore to do better by these little guys--it'd kill me to think of them being uncomfortable or unhealthy. Here's how...

So here's the current plan. Let me know your thoughts?
- 5.5 gallon tank with a top, built-in filter, light, and bubbler (I know a lot of people here think even ten gallons is too small but I honestly don't have a single piece of furniture in my house that could support anything heavier). Is that naive/stupid? If so, i need to return the fish and get a cat because I can't go bigger; right now I don't have plans to become a full-fledged tropical aquarium enthusiast. I totally admire you guys but I know I'm nowhere close!
- I plan to have about five white cloud mountain minnows in the tank (starting with two) and take the best care of them that I can.

The new tank is currently filtering/cycling and I plan to introduce my two minnows to it tonight. If they make it through (and I hope they do or that'll be another 90+ minutes of crying over fish that are smaller thank my thumbnail), I'll add three other minnows.

So here are my questions:
- The directions say to change 25% of the water in the first week. How do you do that? Just leave the fish in ad scoop out a quarter of the water? Or is there a fancier way?
- How often do I do a full change of the water? What would be an ideal schedule for my fish?
- The direction say something about doing some vacuuming of the gravel. What device do I need to purchase to "vacuum" and how often should I be doing that?
- One store says that white cloud mountain minnows are "tropical" and need warm temperatures while another says they prefer slightly cooler temperatures. My tank has a thermometer so at least I'll know what the temp is but I don't have a heater for them. Do you recommend one?
- I've read these minnows need to be in groups of five. I've also read that groups of eight is the minimum. Can I get away with a school of five or will they be nervous?

As always, thanks again! And should I post these questions as a new thread?

 

[phocoena]

Firstly you are in a fish in cycle and need to change the water everyday, so it will be worth purchasing a liquid test kit (many of us here use API). Also have a read of the Fish-In-Cycle information. You are going to have to be on the ball to keep Ammonia and NitrIte as close to 0ppm as possible.

As for tank size 30l is along the lines of 18"x10"x10".

 

[erintangerine]

Thanks!

 

[Autonerd]

I am a newbie and in the process of making all sorts of mistakes myself. The people here have been a huge help.

I would consider at least a 10 gallon tank. You're talking gallons so I'm guessing you're in the US -- the chain stores have 10 gallon starter setups that are very inexpensive, and I bought my 15 gallon setup on sale for not much more.

The experts will tell you to go 20 gallons or more if possible, and they have a point; from what I've read, more water makes for easier fishkeeping, as its easier to control the water's chemistry. But 20 gal gets expensive and very heavy. 10 gal with the right fish will keep the costs pretty reasonable, although it is more challenging and limits your fish selection (assuming you want to be humane to your fish).

You're posting here so you're on the right track. For me, it's been slow going with a lot of sputtering, but I'm looking forward to a successful tank and feel pride in overcoming my natural impatience to do what's right for my fish. There's a lot to learn... it's given me a new appreciation for my dog!!

Aaron

 

[phocoena]

You need to remember and change the water daily. No matter what the LFS says at the moment your tank is building up Ammonia and it is not good for the fish.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with the others. You'll need to think about a larger tank if possible. The actual glass tanks are really one of the cheapest bits of gear in the hobby but of course you then sometimes need to rethink some of your other gear. Bubbles are only entertainment for humans. They can have some lift of the deeper water which helps circulation but all the important gas exchange comes from the top surface area of the tank. Gravel is nice because it keeps the viewers from thinking the tank always needs to be cleaned. WD