guppy help please!

[crazie.eddie]

Your filter should be fine since your tank is not overstocked.

The airstone is not for looks, the motion of the bubbles and popping on the surface actually oxygenates the water. Even the action of fish moving will oxygenate the water, but since they're moving they all take in the oxygen in the water. If you see the fish are always on the top and they look like they're gasping for air, then this is a sign they there is not enough DO (dissolved oxygen) in the water, so adding an airstone stone, powerhead, or a bigger filter will help.

You can crush the flakes in a ziplock bag. It let's you crush to a very fine powder, but it's not necessary with the guppy fry, since they are big enough to take bites out of small flakes.

 

[cation]

The airstone is not for looks, the motion of the bubbles and popping on the surface actually oxygenates the water.

Actually, for many people, an airstone is for looks. They like the "bubbles". Personally, I got mine when I was treating my tank with meds, but now it's there just "for looks" - my tank gas exchange needs are met by the agitation from my filter. Since the op isn't overstocked and has a filter agitating the water, the extra O2 exchange isn't needed - therefore my assessment that in this case, it would be "just for looks". Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in my original post.

In fact, if you have a heavily planted tank, an airstone can be detrimental to the plants. I don't personally believe there is any benefit to increasing O2 levels beyond what the fish need - and if you have plants, it can be harmful - driving out too much CO2 that the plants need. But to each their own.

My fish like to play in mine, but they only get bubbles when they're being medicated, or at night, when the plants are actively using the O2 in the water.

 

[jams.alaskan]

problems in this thread are a mystery to me - you guys seem to be working very well on it. Just thought I'd add how I crush my flakes/freeze dried/wafer food for fry. I place a mixture in a bowl and use the back side of a spoon in a rocking motion till I've pulverized it all. Then just put it in something to store it. That way I can offer a varied diet.

ALASKA

 

[[jdm dc2]]

im down to 2 fry..

 

[[jdm dc2]]

im down to 2 fry..

they are still alive.. yay

 

[[jdm dc2]]

hey guys i just found another dead fry.. so it looks like im down to the last one... is it even worth keeping him in the breeding net?.. should i give hiim a chance in the real world?.. i mean its 1 single fry in that huge net... i doubt hes going to survive in their anyhow.. what do you guys think i should do?

 

[Stacey269]

I just wanted to say something about the airstones and noise. The airstones are very important because first, it keeps the water flowing, which in turn will carry the debris to the filter. It also puts oxygen into the water, which is important to the fish. Don't worry about all the bubbles. If the fish weren't used to it and seemed to be unhappy about it, trust me, they will soon adapt, and most end up finding them actually "fun" to swim in them. If your air pump is too noisy, you can do what I did because mine was too. I wrapped it up in a towel which quiets it down tremendously. My advice: put the airstones back in (maybe one is sufficient) and add 1 tbsp of salt per 5 gal. The salt also does wonders. Good Luck. Let us know how it's going.

 

[rollntider]

here is what I do after I set up a tank(new one before I cycle) I use some of that proper ph stuff that the different companies sell and use for what ever the species I am rasing, for a community just get the 7.0. And once you set it, all you need to do is just add x amount from time to time after water changes and I ususally hover arround my desired ph within .2 my 7.0 is usually 6.8 to 7.2. it is pretty darn close. I wouldnt use it right now....but just an FYI after you get your deaths taken care of...

 

[crazie.eddie]

Hey dude. I'm surprised you haven't IM'd me about it. Anyway, I would keep the fry in the breeder net. It may have been weakened by the changing pH and hopefully it will get stronnger.

 

[[jdm dc2]]

thanks for the towel tip.. i will try that...

also do you guys raelly think i should keep him in the net?.. its 1 single fry?...

 

[[jdm dc2]]

looks like all the fry are dead now... they both died yesterday... i dont know what went wrong?.. hopuflly it was just the pH that kept jumping around.. wish me better luck for next time...

i did a nice 30% water change yeserday... + vacume... i will go and buy 2-3 more guppies today... 2 more females... 1 more famle...thatl give me 4 females.. and 2 males..

 

[rollntider]

Make sure your PH is stable before adding fish , and then go from there....at least that is what i would do

 

[[jdm dc2]]

people are telling me just add 4 teaspoons of salt and i would be set. They also told me dont buy the salt from a LFS becuase they over charge you.. they told me go to your regular super market and pick up "ROCK SALT" .. its the same thing.. for a lot cheaper... is this true?.. is their a spesific brand i am looking for?...

 

[rollntider]

people are telling me just add 4 teaspoons of salt and i would be set. They also told me dont buy the salt from a LFS becuase they over charge you.. they told me go to your regular super market and pick up "ROCK SALT" .. its the same thing.. for a lot cheaper... is this true?.. is their a spesific brand i am looking for?...

not familiar with "rock salt" is ok for aqaurium use. Usually salt is around a dollar at your local walmart and I think if it is a few cents more for aquarium salt I would rather pay it to be on the safe side.....