Heating Issue

[nudenurd]

Hi All,

I have a rather small cubic tank of 25 Litres. Since I've moved into my new home, I'm having a lot of trouble keeping the temperature up. Right now, it's 23.6 degrees in there, 18 degrees ambient.

At my last home, it was sitting on a glass table in the corner of a room and the heater maintained 27-28 degrees very well, frequently bumping over a little.
There are a couple of things that have changed in the move... I've draped a piece of fabric over the (same) table to hide the electronics. To save that fabric from rotting under the tank, I installed 8 small rubber feet underneath it, lifting it about 1cm above the fabric. Would this affect the heating much?
Also, in the old house the tank was next to a concrete wall that received direct sunlight for the majority of the day, however the tank was still at 27degrees in the mornings when the ambient was the same as it is here...

The heater's a 25watt vertical rated for up to 25L.
I'm not sure how long my fish are going to survive in these temperatures... My little angelfish is already swimming sideways...

Help please!!!

 

[WILDER]

If you have a heater in there it should be keeping the temp stable.
More worried about the fish you have in there as you mentioned an angel.
What fish are in the tank.
Water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, and ph.

Heaters about right for the size of tank.
What does the temp notch go up to on the heater.
25w 23 up to 30 l (6.5 gal)

Does the cubic tank have a tank lid.

 

[nudenurd]

I've been wondering about this actually... I followed directions from the guy at the fish shop where I bought everything, he gave me the basic rule, 1 litre of water for every 1cm of fish. I fear I could have possibly overstepped that threshold a little...

I've got two angel fish, one's about the size of the lid of a jam jar (goot measurement, hey? hehe) and the other's about the size of 20 cent piece, he's the sick one - the other is very active and loves his food.
A couple of neon tetras, 4 little siver fish with a black mark on their tail (they guy put the wrong fish in the bag - not the ones I asked for, but I'm not one to flush because I don't like a fish!), 2 algae eaters (about 4cm) and 5 guppies.
Also, my mother bought me 3 new fish yesterday - another algae eater, a shark with whiskers (no idea what it is, but it looks really cool - has a red tail!), and a brown and orange stripy fish which also has whiskers but it's not like the others - it's very active and seemingly can't stop swimming.

Now before you flame me on the amount of fish I have in such a small tank, understand that:
a) I did not know my mum was buying me even more fish, and have told her not to buy more
B) I saved the guppies from being flushed by my old flatmate as he was moving interstate
c) I've owned a fish tank for a whole of about 3 months. I know very little, which is why I joined this forum.

I don't have a chemical tester, but I will get one very soon. Any recommendations?
The heater goes up to the mid 30s. I can't remember exactly (I'm at work now). I can find out tonight for you.

Yes, the tank has a glass lid, which wasn't on. In the last two weeks about 5L of water evaporated, so I figured it was time to put it back on. I did this last night, but it didn't seem to help my temperature issue.

I get the feeling that I've been the victim of a nasty fish salesman. Would you guys mind setting things straight? I don't want my fish to die!
I'll be getting a larger tank (approx 200L) mid next month. I don't think I can get it sooner though.

Thanks in advance!

 

[WILDER]

Well to be honest and don't mean to sound rude but you will be lucky to have a fish that survives in just over 5gal tank.
Not one fish in there should be in that size tank, all it good for is a betta.
Even livebeares need no less than 10gal as they are active fish.
Angels should not be kept in anything less than a 30gal.
Neon tetra nothing less than 10gal shoalling fish.

What type of algae eater are they some grow massive
Sharks need 40gal tank. I think you are getting the picture.
The water quality will be bad.
I would take the lot back to the lfs.
As they will all die of ammonia poisoning.

http/www.fishtanksandponds.info/care-mai...a_poisoning.htm

 

[nudenurd]

I may have this wrong, now that I think about it. My tank is 30cm x 30cm x 30cm.

I figured the tank was too small. I bought it so I could have a couple of nice ornamental fish in my bedroom, also as something I could use to learn about keeping fish with for when I get a larger tank. It's a really nice tank which suits my room, but I've inadvertently acquired too many fish for it.
As I said, I will be getting a much larger tank as a friend is moving his aquarium shop and wants to get rid of some of his tanks. But that's not for a month, and as I've just moved house I can't afford to buy a new tank.

I'm not sure what type the algae eaters are... They're very dark and kind of spotty. Tonight I'll get some photos, I think it's the only way I'm going to identify half of these fish.

Anyway, now that I've laid everything down on the table, could you give me some advice as to what I can to to preserve these fish until I get the big tank?
I think my flatmate has some tanks in storage under the house. From memory he's got a couple of little crap plastic tanks (betta) and a larger glass tank, about the size as the ones your average aquarium keep most of their fish in. I could possibly nick these...

And I can't take the fish back - most I didn't even buy and the others are over 3 months old, not to mention were bought in another state.

P.S. I live in Queensland, Australia. We get ~40 degree days here in summer, and less than 10 degree nights in winter. Also, I use the metric system, obviously...

I forgot to mention - I have a generous assortment of plants in the tank. I'm hoping this will help with the ammonia.

 

[WILDER]

You don't really have any hardy fish to go through a cycle even if you moved some, but i suppose it the best bet.
Couldn't you ask an lfs to keep them for you while you get the bigger tank sorted out.
There is no quick answers i'm afraid.
To be hoenst that tank severely over stocked and one of the worst stocked tank I have seen.
They won't survive as there to many fish in the tank.
I would start a thread in tropical chit chat and see what some members can come up with as it's a mess.

 

[nudenurd]

Alright, thanks a lot for your help - appreciated. I'll do just that and see what suggestions I get.

 

[WILDER]

Ok good luck, wish you all the best, and keep away from that lfs as they have given you some really bad advice.
Always research fish before you buy them.
As 5gal are very tiny tanks and only good for a betta really.
Ccpy and paste this thread so you don't have to go through it all again.

 

[Tolak]

That will be a pretty full tank even with a 200 L. In the larger tank you are planning, you would have to do a 25% water change weekly to keep it stocked like that. Even then, some of the fish may outgrow it, depending on what the species of algae eater it is that you have.

The tank they are in is around 1/8 the size of the tank you need, the 200 L. If you have to do weekly water changes of 25% in the larger tank, you will have to do them 8 times as much in the smaller tank. This means daily water changes of around 30%, or a couple of gallons. Get a dechlorinator that deals with chlorine, chloramine, and ammonia. Prime is a common dechlorinator that deals with all 3. Treat your replacement water with that.

As you stated, pics are needed for a positive I.D. Heater do go bad, like any other piece of equipment this can happen during a move. I would pick up a new one, in the mean time insulate the tank by wrapping it with an old blanket, and try squeezing an old towel under it where there is a gap. You will need a much larger heater for the new tank; it's a good practice to keep a smaller tank around with the needed equipment for a med or quarantine tank.

Here's a link to some aquatics clubs in Aus., they may be able to help you out locally. http/fins.actwin.com/dir/clubs.php?c=13

 

[xoedusk]

Yes, the tank has a glass lid, which wasn't on. In the last two weeks about 5L of water evaporated, so I figured it was time to put it back on. I did this last night, but it didn't seem to help my temperature issue.

Do water changes immediately. Two weeks between changes is a bit too long for an overstocked tank. I would do them every other day or every day (anyone agree/disagree?).

 

[nudenurd]

Sorry, I meant 2 days...

Lid's on now and the temp seems to be stable. Gotta go to work - will update later

 

[nudenurd]

Righto - I've got a new tank. Tomorrow I'm going to set it up, might need a few suggestions as to how, and which fish can go where...

Here's the new post:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=162372

Please have a look - thanks!