Fish Pick Woes..

[CBBP]

I started adding black neons to my 72 gallon bow front but they just don't do the justice that the rummy nose tetras I had did. problem is they seem to die easily in the parameter spikes they create when adding. the odd thing is I have added fish to my 29 gallon a few times now and gotten no spikes at all but whe I add jsut one tetra to my 72 gallon i get a spike..

my question is.. can I put some Bio-spira in when adding fish to stop a spike? there is only 7 black neons in my 72 right now.. I can easily change my mind right now haha but not later.. rummy or black neon! any rummy nose keepers here?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

How long has the 72gal been set up and how many fish (and what types) does it currently have in it? How many fish are you adding at a time (and what types) as well as the length of time inbetween purchases you leave?

 

[CBBP]

It finihsed its cycle sometime in the first week of july of this year and I put nine cories in it with no problem at all and shortly after, the same week, several more cories.. 5 I think.. and got alittle spike so I removed two cories for a while then added them back in a bit later after it adjusted. it went on for a time and I had no problems at all.. then I added five SAEs which where under an inch upon arrival... I had alittle spike (I no I should not add 5 but the minimum order number was 5 so yeah) I added them a few weeks ago.. then it was just them till now.. I added 3 black neons and two days later I got a spike of ammonia of 0.25 for two days.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

It finihsed its cycle sometime in the first week of july of this year and I put nine cories in it with no problem at all and shortly after, the same week, several more cories.. 5 I think.. and got alittle spike so I removed two cories for a while then added them back in a bit later after it adjusted. it went on for a time and I had no problems at all.. then I added five SAEs which where under an inch upon arrival... I had alittle spike (I no I should not add 5 but the minimum order number was 5 so yeah) I added them a few weeks ago.. then it was just them till now.. I added 3 black neons and two days later I got a spike of ammonia of 0.25 for two days.

Are you positive that the filtration for your tank is adequate? It may be worth adding extra filtration to the tank if it is failing to cope with small changes in bioload.
It just seems quite odd really, that the tank is cycled, but is still sensitive to arival of 3 black neons- i could understand why 5 SAE's could cause a spike, as they are much more sizeable and higher waste producing fish, but 3 neons? Nope.

 

[CBBP]

mm.. a Rena XP3 on a 72 gallon.. perhaps that is not enough?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

mm.. a Rena XP3 on a 72 gallon.. perhaps that is not enough?

How many gallons does the Rena XP3 claim to filter up to?

 

[CBBP]

The XP3 is 350 gph, for tanks up to 175 gallons and comes with six filtration compartments.

mm.. but that is empty..

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The XP3 is 350 gph, for tanks up to 175 gallons and comes with six filtration compartments.

mm.. but that is empty..

Filters sponges come in different densities, some are better for mechanical filtration/removing waste form the tank (these are generally the courser ones with larger holes for trapping waste it- the larger holes also allow stronger current in them too), while others are better for biological filtration and are generally finer and have a high density of small holes (by increasing surface area, they increase the amount of benneficial bacteria that can be grown inside the sponge).

A good filter should have both types of these sponges at the least, does the XP3 have them?

 

[CBBP]

yeah it has 2 large hole and 2 small hole sponges.. they are about 5X5X.5 inches. what filter shoudl i get? HOB are to noisy...

I can always add another Xp3

 

[diademhill]

yeah it has 2 large hole and 2 small hole sponges.. they are about 5X5X.5 inches. what filter shoudl i get? HOB are to noisy...

I can always add another Xp3

Where in the tank have you got the input & outflow. If they are close there is a chance that all the tank isn't getting filtered.

 

[starrynightxxi]

there's no reason for a HOB filter to be noisy... I have three topfin filters and one emperor biowheel filter running in my room at the same time and they hardly make any noise at all. In fact my computer makes more noise than they do...

The only time mine have made noise is if they've been shut off and turned back on (water changes), or if they haven't been set up right.

beyond that i can't help you much with filters, BUT in my opinion, i prefer rummynose tetras. I just took my six in to my LFS and traded them for rummies.

 

[CBBP]

Well.. okay.. I am thinkign an aquaclear 70- with lots of canister filter media should do..

 

[CBBP]

well I did not have room for a nice HOB filter.. that would require me almsot empiting my tank to move it's 150pound dry weight.

so i sjut got a canister filter.. smaller version of the XP3...

 

[fishwatcher]

I have 5 rummy-noses myself. Love 'em... very pretty the way they all school together around the tank. And yes, you can add BioSpira with the fish. That's how I've set up the last 2 tanks I have... put in the BS, added fish immediately. (If you don't, the bacteria will die.) With the new filter though you shouldn't need it if you're only going to add 3-5 at a time.
HTH!

 

[CBBP]

I am thinking 4 a time..