Biorb newbie, Black Shark and Guppies

[RikWilson]

Hello Everyone, im new to the forum and new to fish.
I have bought myself a biorb and tropical heater kit.
I love it, looks great in my bedroom. I am really pleased with it.
I went to get my first 3 fish today, and I got a Black Shark and 2 female Guppies.
What I am wanting to know, is a few different questions.
-What is the best temperature to have the tropical tank set at?
-What is the best food to feed them. I read that pellet food was the best, but the pet shop advised that flake food was the best. I got a sample of tropical pellet food free with the heater kit, and the fish seem to like both, but what is best?
-How often is it best to feed the fish. I know it says to feed what they will eat in 2 minutes, but do you feed 3 times a day, or just once? I have read conflicting stories you see.
-What other fish would you suggest to add to the aquarium? I would like a couple more guppies, and then something that occupies the middle of the tank.
The guppies tend to hang around at the top, the shark at the bottom, so something in the middle would be ideal.
-I have bought a nice plant for the tank, which I have at the moment just got sitting in its pot at the bottom, but should I take it out of the the pot and spread the roots underneith the rocks at the bottom or what?
On another note, I cannot believe how active the guppies are, they must have swam 10 miles since they have been in there, zooming around the tank.

I will post some photographs when I can, so you can see how my tank looks.

 

[b.c.f.c]

the best temp in my opinion is between 75f and 78f as for food any food is ok such as flake pellet and the odd live food like blood worm for a bit of a treat or even cucumber.i feed my fish twice a day once in the morning and once at night.also other fish u may consider are maybe a few corys 4 more guppys 2 male 2 female then u will have 1 male to every 2 females.i couldnt say wat other fish u could get because i dont know the size of your tank. as for the plant take it out the pot and spread it in 1 area of your tank or were ever u prefer it but im sure some body else will give u more advice on that.(also this post is in the wrong section sorry)any way good luck and hope to see some pics in the future.

 

[RikWilson]

What section should it be in? Can I move it?
Its a 30 litre tank, I fancy some more guppies, they are really beautiful fish and very active.
As for the live food, the garden centre near to me sell bloodworms and brine shrimp. What is best? They are in little bags, so would you feed them all at once, or keep them in a jar and feed them over a few days?
Thank you for the reply

 

[john5748]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you learn as much as I have from more experienced fish keepers.

As for your question about the bloodworms and brine shrimp you can buy these normally frozen and freeze them until they are needed or you can just feed them flakes but to really fetch out the colour and the best in whatever fish you buy I would recommend a varied diet.

You have made a good choice with the Black Red Tailed Shark as they are really beautiful fish and the guppies are good also, it's funny though how the males are far more good looking as the females , I bet I get some stick for that comment from all the ladies out there!!

With regards to the stocking of your tank I would probaly get some males to keep the lady guppies happy and keep them sweet and if your after something for the middle of your tank Dwarf Gouramis are good.

Hope this has helped, please bear in mind though I am not an expert, just enthusiastic .

 

[haddock]

Hi there,
I made the same mistake as you when I bought myself a biorb - the volume is only 30L (under 8 gallons US) and because of its sperical shape it has very little swimming room for active fish. Sorry to dissapoint you but your red-talied shark will not be happy in there. It grows to around 6 inches and will be quite aggressive. Also the large rock substate that comes with the Biorb is too sharp for bottom feeders.
Following the 1" of fish per gallon you could have about 6 guppies and nothing else or less guppies plus a few neons or something else very small. People on this forum have told me that a Biorb is really only suitable for a single beta and maybe some shrimps.
Needless to say I have got rid of my Biorb and am getting a 40G tank next week!

I agree with you that the Biorbs look really cool, so if you choose to keep it then you should really take the shark back.

Sorry to be a pain!

 

[RikWilson]

Thanks for all the advice. I may take the shark back then, dont want him to be injured, or to injure any of my other fish.
I am starting to learn a lot from the forum, every one is so helpful.
I think a few more guppies, one male, one female so there will be 3 females in the tank then.
I also fancy some zebras as they look nice also.
I really would love a large tank, but that will have to wait until I get a house, still living with parents. I would love one of the large community tanks.

 

[rosietoo]

Hi everyone, I’m new to tropical fish too, but have already leant loads from the forum!

Oh dear, I’ve got a Biorb too, and was v pleased with myself for buying it as I thought it would be a really good home for my little fishies! Since reading some previous posts about Biorbs, I now want a ‘proper’ tank, but my other half has said I’m absolutely not allowed to spend any more money! So looks like I’m stuck with my Biorb for a while – wish I’d been to this forum first!

I wonder if I have any chance of sneaking a big, posh tank into the house without him noticing?

 

[black angel]

http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_morulius.php
this is the black shark

this the red tailed shark
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/redshark.htm

the black shark gets a lot bigger than the red, but either way both are too small for your tank.

 

[jflowers]

the black shark gets a lot bigger than the red, but either way both are too small for your tank.

Please post your questions in the begginers forums. A biorb is home for a very few species of tropical fish and even less cold water species.

Jon