Guppies.....

[ncjharris]

What would you guys recommened guppies like when it comes to water movement.
We have some in a tank that has a reasonably powerful internal filter in it.
At the mo the filter is angled so the water flows against the glass, so that there isn't too much of a current.

However, we've noticed that they are all grouping together in the furthest corner from the filter. Water movement too much perhaps?

We have otherways of aereating the waters surface and do reg changes so removing its not an problem.

Whats their natural habitat like - fast moving or slow bodies of water (not that any of our guppies have been anywhere near a natural habitat!)

 

[WILDER]

Guppys usually like to play in currents and bubbles, can you turn the filter down abit

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If they are long tailed fancy guppys, they don't do well at all in tanks with strong filter current as because of been bred in small tanks for years and years, they no longer have the strength in their tails to cope in large or strongly filter tanks- tail splitting is quite common

 

[ncjharris]

Tail splitting is what I was worried about, that and them becoming recluses and never coming to the front of the tank.

The filter is an old one - it donesnt have an adjustable output.

Ok, I think we'll turn the filter off tonight and see what happens - maybe get another smaller, non-canister filter if that works, or an airstone and not bother - the tank is small and should be able to cope with regular water changes.

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[WILDER]

Don't turn the filter off your bacteria colony will die, split tails mend there nothing to worry about if water quality is good.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I wouldn't turn off the filter as you'll lose your good bacteria in it which keeps the tank cycled, split tails on guppys heal very quickly and i would just buy a small filter and run it alongside the main one for a day or 2 and then take the old one out and the tank should be fine

 

[ncjharris]

I was under the impression benefical bacteria 'grew' on all surfaces - i.e as well as occuring in the filter medium also on rocks, substrate, etc - and that turning the filter off would only reduce the agitation of the water and subsequently the oxygen exhange rate of the water.

The filter is and internal one and the water flows freely around the medium when its imersed - will this not keep the bacteria alive?

Have I been living under false pretences?!!?

 

[WILDER]

It does, but if you switch the filter off the bacteria will die off sending you into a mini cycle. as the water isn't flowing over the sponges.

 

[NinjaSmurf]

I have a penguin 160, it has a pretty good flow in it, and when I first got my guppies they stayed in the corner furthest from the filter. After they got used to the tank though they swam all over the place. Perhaps they just need to get used to it?

P.S. the guppies in my ten are often found riding the bubbles to the top of the tank, silly things...

 

[ncjharris]

well, after a week, looks like you guys were right - the guppies are now a-ok in the filter and enjoy riding the current!

we are ok!