Guppies...

[emilythestrange]

Hi, as everyone knows ive not had a good time with my goldfish... i have one left now which doesnt look like he will last

Determined not to just give up after spending a fair amount of money on fish equipment.... I am not going to try fancy goldfish again ...(my dads work mate - whos got a marine set up, has said that fancy goldfish are pretty weak and have only lasted him 18 months maxium)

After i have sterilised my air pump, filter, gravel and tank... I have two options after setting it up right:
Either get
- one Common goldfish (which i believe are more hardy)
- or im thinking of the possibility of going tropical,... what other equipment would i need?
I intend on keeping guppies as they look beautiful and probably wouldnt get cramped!

I have a 27 UK litre tank.
How many.. im going to take in all the advice i can.. i want to make it this time! its so heartbraking burying fish
and how long and how to set up?

Thanks everybody

 

[lilfishie]

looks like the only thing needed is a heater, as for how many if you had all males (more colourful) i'd say you could have about 10

 

[pscl227]

Guppys are the best, so much persoality! If you want something pretty to look at i'd definatly go with all males, i have all males, not had any problems yet, but i have heard of bullying problems.

all you need would be a heater (£10-15 in a lfs) and maybe some plants if you want to go down that route, mine love playing in plants.

Could maybe have some small cherry shrimp in the tank as well

 

[emilythestrange]

Guppys are the best, so much persoality! If you want something pretty to look at i'd definatly go with all males, i have all males, not had any problems yet, but i have heard of bullying problems.

all you need would be a heater (£10-15 in a lfs) and maybe some plants if you want to go down that route, mine love playing in plants.

Could maybe have some small cherry shrimp in the tank as well

Would i need a light, i am wondering this because my hood is plastic and doesnt accomodate a light... maybe theres a brand which can be mounted outside the tank and shone through? or am i talking garbage

Thanks

 

[Corleone]

You don't need a light just for fish, though it helps see them. Live plants would need light. If the hood is clear, there are lights that mount above on little legs.

 

[Jazzzz]

dont sterilise the filter keep it going constantly. also common goldfish get up to 30cm so please no and fancies can last years my record is about 5. the common one is abou 24cm and going strong aged 7

 

[emilythestrange]

dont sterilise the filter keep it going constantly. also common goldfish get up to 30cm so please no and fancies can last years my record is about 5. the common one is abou 24cm and going strong aged 7

Thanks, I know a common goldfish is big. I am NOT getting another goldfish from Pets at home. But 4 goldfish have died and 5 soon i think.! Sterilising i thought would be best...
How come its not? its not even been running for a couple of months. I want to be sure the disease isnt traceable in the filter

I would love guppies but im scared that they are hard to start up and look after
my parents are convinced they need light (p.s I have black curtains! )

x

You don't need a light just for fish, though it helps see them. Live plants would need light. If the hood is clear, there are lights that mount above on little legs.

the hood itself isnt clear. its black.. and i wouldnt just keep the clear condensation tray on.! they might jump out? IF i had guppies!
I would love to spend the time properly and get advice on how to set it up and where to take everything from here

 

[Cantbesaved]

dont sterilise the filter keep it going constantly. also common goldfish get up to 30cm so please no and fancies can last years my record is about 5. the common one is abou 24cm and going strong aged 7

Thanks, I know a common goldfish is big. I am NOT getting another goldfish from Pets at home. But 4 goldfish have died and 5 soon i think.! Sterilising i thought would be best...
How come its not? its not even been running for a couple of months. I want to be sure the disease isnt traceable in the filter

I would love guppies but im scared that they are hard to start up and look after
my parents are convinced they need light (p.s I have black curtains! )

x

You don't need a light just for fish, though it helps see them. Live plants would need light. If the hood is clear, there are lights that mount above on little legs.

the hood itself isnt clear. its black.. and i wouldnt just keep the clear condensation tray on.! they might jump out? IF i had guppies!
I would love to spend the time properly and get advice on how to set it up and where to take everything from here

Some LFS's provide generic hoods with Fluorescent lights. Mine was $80 for my 20 gallon (so 40 pounds or so). But if you were lookin for something a bit cheaper, maybe you could try Neon lights, made for cars. you can get them on ebay or car upgrade sites. Make sure they are water proof though, the condensation could damage one that is not. Many are designed for external use on cars tho (under glow).
I may also suggest CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lights). They run rather cool, hence the name, and are usually sealed up pretty well also. A good idea, would be to use some silicone where the wire goes into the tube though, to help seal it

Guppies are pretty nice and easy to care for, so I have heard. I plan on getting guppies for my tank next!! If you get a female though, you will have tons of guppies, they are horny buggers!!

And is that 27 litres, or did you mean to say 27 gallons? because 27 litres (Canada) is 7 Gallons (US - still fairly close to UK I presume), and apparently you need 10 gallons for every ONE goldfish you keep... so you would have needed a 50 gallon tank for your 5 goldfish!

 

[emilythestrange]

dont sterilise the filter keep it going constantly. also common goldfish get up to 30cm so please no and fancies can last years my record is about 5. the common one is abou 24cm and going strong aged 7

Thanks, I know a common goldfish is big. I am NOT getting another goldfish from Pets at home. But 4 goldfish have died and 5 soon i think.! Sterilising i thought would be best...
How come its not? its not even been running for a couple of months. I want to be sure the disease isnt traceable in the filter

I would love guppies but im scared that they are hard to start up and look after
my parents are convinced they need light (p.s I have black curtains! )

x

You don't need a light just for fish, though it helps see them. Live plants would need light. If the hood is clear, there are lights that mount above on little legs.

the hood itself isnt clear. its black.. and i wouldnt just keep the clear condensation tray on.! they might jump out? IF i had guppies!
I would love to spend the time properly and get advice on how to set it up and where to take everything from here

Some LFS's provide generic hoods with Fluorescent lights. Mine was $80 for my 20 gallon (so 40 pounds or so). But if you were lookin for something a bit cheaper, maybe you could try Neon lights, made for cars. you can get them on ebay or car upgrade sites. Make sure they are water proof though, the condensation could damage one that is not. Many are designed for external use on cars tho (under glow).
I may also suggest CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lights). They run rather cool, hence the name, and are usually sealed up pretty well also. A good idea, would be to use some silicone where the wire goes into the tube though, to help seal it

Guppies are pretty nice and easy to care for, so I have heard. I plan on getting guppies for my tank next!! If you get a female though, you will have tons of guppies, they are horny buggers!!

And is that 27 litres, or did you mean to say 27 gallons? because 27 litres (Canada) is 7 Gallons (US - still fairly close to UK I presume), and apparently you need 10 gallons for every ONE goldfish you keep... so you would have needed a 50 gallon tank for your 5 goldfish!

27 litres! lol and also i did see some little lights... but now im convinced they do not need them (im definately not getting ANY live plants!)
No i only want Male Guppies, it would give a lovely view for my room!.
I probably couldnt handle Fry! im on a limitation.... just got that tank.. and will keep it!
I think the goldfish question is out of the window. Successfully looking after guppies would be so rewarding.!
Also another Q, after ive cycled my tank.. which i havent even started!!! .. Would it be best to buy the guppies altogether? from the same tank..?

 

[emilythestrange]

dont sterilise the filter keep it going constantly. also common goldfish get up to 30cm so please no and fancies can last years my record is about 5. the common one is abou 24cm and going strong aged 7

Thanks, I know a common goldfish is big. I am NOT getting another goldfish from Pets at home. But 4 goldfish have died and 5 soon i think.! Sterilising i thought would be best...
How come its not? its not even been running for a couple of months. I want to be sure the disease isnt traceable in the filter

I would love guppies but im scared that they are hard to start up and look after
my parents are convinced they need light (p.s I have black curtains! )

x

You don't need a light just for fish, though it helps see them. Live plants would need light. If the hood is clear, there are lights that mount above on little legs.

the hood itself isnt clear. its black.. and i wouldnt just keep the clear condensation tray on.! they might jump out? IF i had guppies!
I would love to spend the time properly and get advice on how to set it up and where to take everything from here

Some LFS's provide generic hoods with Fluorescent lights. Mine was $80 for my 20 gallon (so 40 pounds or so). But if you were lookin for something a bit cheaper, maybe you could try Neon lights, made for cars. you can get them on ebay or car upgrade sites. Make sure they are water proof though, the condensation could damage one that is not. Many are designed for external use on cars tho (under glow).
I may also suggest CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lights). They run rather cool, hence the name, and are usually sealed up pretty well also. A good idea, would be to use some silicone where the wire goes into the tube though, to help seal it

Guppies are pretty nice and easy to care for, so I have heard. I plan on getting guppies for my tank next!! If you get a female though, you will have tons of guppies, they are horny buggers!!

And is that 27 litres, or did you mean to say 27 gallons? because 27 litres (Canada) is 7 Gallons (US - still fairly close to UK I presume), and apparently you need 10 gallons for every ONE goldfish you keep... so you would have needed a 50 gallon tank for your 5 goldfish!

27 litres! lol and also i did see some little lights... but now im convinced they do not need them (im definately not getting ANY live plants!)
No i only want Male Guppies, it would give a lovely view for my room!.
I probably couldnt handle Fry! im on a limitation.... just got that tank.. and will keep it!
I think the goldfish question is out of the window. Successfully looking after guppies would be so rewarding.!
Also another Q, after ive cycled my tank.. which i havent even started!!! .. Would it be best to buy the guppies altogether? from the same tank..?

Ok I now have a clear tank with the old water still in (where 5 died due to the spreading of fin rot)
Could somebody please tell me where to take it from here. My Goal is to have guppies eventually.!
Heater in during cycling process? or not?
aaah theres so many details
Need to get it right!!!

 

[LauraFrog]

Bacterial finrot is a pest. The bacteria that cause it can stay in the tank for many weeks. If I were you I would probably sterilise everything and cycle again from scratch. I hate it, I've had something similar through my tanks and I'm re doing the cycle on the lot.

I really dont' think guppies are a good idea. Their mass production for the pet trade has meant that they are basically gutless because they are all inbred to create fancy strains. A guppy that will live in such a small tank basically does not exist. They need old, mature systems that are large enough to have a very good buffer against any nasties. If you're looking for small and colourful try Endler's livebearer or an endler/guppy hybrid. Stunning fish! They are also tougher because they were probably only eight or ten generations out from wild caught. It's the inbreeding that has stuffed the standard guppy. If you do want guppies, be prepared to do a lot of water changes, more than with standard tropicals, and the odd unexplainable death is normal and you'll have to get used to it.

Other options are small tetras (glowlights or neons) cherry barbs, otocinclus, pygmy cories, microrasbora, sparkling gouramis... go and have a look at the 'small tanks' options, I think it's pinned in tropical discussions. You can mix and match a bit.

 

[emilythestrange]

Bacterial finrot is a pest. The bacteria that cause it can stay in the tank for many weeks. If I were you I would probably sterilise everything and cycle again from scratch. I hate it, I've had something similar through my tanks and I'm re doing the cycle on the lot.

I really dont' think guppies are a good idea. Their mass production for the pet trade has meant that they are basically gutless because they are all inbred to create fancy strains. A guppy that will live in such a small tank basically does not exist. They need old, mature systems that are large enough to have a very good buffer against any nasties. If you're looking for small and colourful try Endler's livebearer or an endler/guppy hybrid. Stunning fish! They are also tougher because they were probably only eight or ten generations out from wild caught. It's the inbreeding that has stuffed the standard guppy. If you do want guppies, be prepared to do a lot of water changes, more than with standard tropicals, and the odd unexplainable death is normal and you'll have to get used to it.

Other options are small tetras (glowlights or neons) cherry barbs, otocinclus, pygmy cories, microrasbora, sparkling gouramis... go and have a look at the 'small tanks' options, I think it's pinned in tropical discussions. You can mix and match a bit.

There arent many fish now which arent inbred how much to you is a lot of water changes? I doubt my LFS will do a hybrid guppy/ endler. Ill still ask
Thanks i will, however i doubt any will be as stunning as guppies.. ill research them anyway

 

[alysonpeaches]

I have had a lot of trouble with guppies but most other fish I have been able to keep OK.

If you want to maintain the cold water set up i.e. not buy a heater, White Cloud Minnows are good to start with and dont need tropical temps. They are hardy and were my first fish.

If you like the idea of livebearers, I find platys very easy to care for, they have personality (come to the front of the tank when they see you!) and in a centrally heated environment you could probably keep them without a heater too, but I have mine in tanks with heaters because they are tropical community tanks. However, I did keep 3 for a while in with the white clouds without a heater whilst I was quarantining other fish.

If you can find a local breeder through an aquatic society, get some male endlers. They are colourful and a lot stronger than guppies.

 

[emilythestrange]

I have had a lot of trouble with guppies but most other fish I have been able to keep OK.

If you want to maintain the cold water set up i.e. not buy a heater, White Cloud Minnows are good to start with and dont need tropical temps. They are hardy and were my first fish.

If you like the idea of livebearers, I find platys very easy to care for, they have personality (come to the front of the tank when they see you!) and in a centrally heated environment you could probably keep them without a heater too, but I have mine in tanks with heaters because they are tropical community tanks. However, I did keep 3 for a while in with the white clouds without a heater whilst I was quarantining other fish.

If you can find a local breeder through an aquatic society, get some male endlers. They are colourful and a lot stronger than guppies.

I will get a heater, hmm not so much into white cloud minnows . I like the look of platys though, are guppies really that hard?
I have had people say they are easy to care for
Now im confused!!!!




Hey Update!

Now I have cleaned out my tank... and the gravel is being cleaned out over night with bleach and then 2morrow i will boil it...

Confused about my next few steps, i have read plenty topics on fishless cycling... But everything is in Amercian Measurements! which mean nothing to me... so i dont know what to do!

 

[Corleone]

It really depends on how lucky you get - there's some very good locally bred fancy guppy stock available in my area that are hardy enough to tolerate new tanks and forgive mistakes, but PetSmart's cheap fare drop like flies if you look at the tank funny.

To convert measures, just use google. Type 10 gallons to liters or 75F to C for temperatures and so forth. I usually keep a google window open on this site, since there's people using three different units of volume. I'm reasonably comfortable with imperial and metric units, but just not at the same time.