Hello to all

[agamemnon]

Hello forum

I ahve already posted one message in the coldwater section because I have a black moor that may or may not have a problem. Anyway I should have introduced myself first, but I'll work backwards and do that now. (And thanks to those who have replied to my help message)

I am a beginner both on this board and to tropical fish keeping. I was looking for a bigger tank for my solitary black moor so that I could introduce a friend or two, and started looking on ebay. I spotted a 3ft aquarium, with accessories, and although this was certainly not what I was looking for the bid price was so low that I offered £50 and ended up winning it. The tank was only a few miles from me so I went to pick it up and the seller was an American ex aquarium supplies shop owner who was returning home. I ended up with the tank, a canister and a power filter, a CO2 kit for the many plants included, three lights on the hood, a testing kit suitcase, a heater, bits and pieces, and most importantly some fish! Not exactly the black moor accommodation upgrade I was looking for!

The fish I have received with my tank are:

A shoal of neons
Some guppies
A common plec
A Cory
A Weather Loach
4 Red Torpedoes

I was a bit worried about so many fish being added to a newly filled tank but there have been no problems so far. The gravel, plants and filters will hoepfully keep everything under control.

As this is new to me I am expecting something to go wrong because there are so many things to think about. There are loads of questions about feeding and filters and plants, and I may post some in the right place soon enough!

This looks like a really useful and friendly forum and thanks to everyone involved in running it and contributing.

Nick from Bury, Lancashire

 

[aloaring]

Wow that sounds like a really good deal you've got there!! The only problem you might have is what temperature to keep the tank at as alot of people will tell you not to have coldwater and tropical fish together. However a few years ago I had a coldwater and tropical mix that worked very well at a tempereature of 68 c. The on problem you might have is the plec they are very sensitive to temp and nitrates in the water. And i found after a year I found new homes for my goldfish and concentrated on tropical fish because it is soo interesting. Good luck with the new tank!!

 

[agamemnon]

Yes a really good deal!

I haven't rehoused the goldfish in this tank because of the temperature issue so Bob the Black Moor will stay lonely. In addition he has a few white spots (see Coldwater forum) so he will have to wait for some friends to be added to his own new tank

The guy I bought the tropical tank advised me that the heater was not necessary because the strip lights warmed the water enough. This certainly seems to be true as it has stayed at around 72 and doesn't drop overnight when the lights are off. He said that using the heater with the lights makes the temperature too difficult to regulate. I will monitor closely as room temperature in the north of England is not to be relied upon at any time of year!

 

[aloaring]

At 72 c all your fish will be fine, the only I recommend is to get a few more Corys as they are a lot happier in a shoal even if they are different kinds of corys and are lovely little fish to have, that are hardy and easy to keep. I too have a 3ft fish tank that was given to us for free but we had to then buy equipment for it. I have
2 Angel Fish
2 Keyhole Cichlids
1 common Plec
1 butterfly fish
2 Bolivian rams
2 Clouded Botias
And even though this is a strange mix that really shouldn't get along the only to that fidht are the two angel fish. I also have a smaller tank full of platys and a small tank where I am trying to breed Golden eye dwarf cichlids.
I enjoy all my tanks our big tank is near the TV and i end up watching the tank more often than the TV!!
Are you thinking of getting anymore fish?

 

[agamemnon]

I am not familiar with the last two but will look them up. I would love angel fish but my tank is probably too green and too shallow. No space to move around in.

I will definately get another Cory because I read that they are communal. The one I've got is a very entertaining individual, as is the Weather Loach. Watching these two at night is amazing.

Apart from the extra Cory I think the tank is full enough for now. I want to get used to managing what I have, examing the fish for changes, running the equipment properly, that kind of thing. There is so much variety out there but I have not enjoyed the ones I've got yet so I've no need to rush ahead of myself.

Do you have plants? If so do you add CO2? I got a CO2 kit with the tank, including a pump, but haven't used it yet. Should I leave it on 24 hrs?

 

[aloaring]

Taking your time is a good idea and I can recomend researching your fish before you buy them. My boyfriend has bought fish spur of the moment before and you can end up with some disasters!! Also its worth finding a really good specialist store that you can get advice from. I live down in wales and luckily I live close to some really good stores, who give good advice.
I have plants in all my tanks, but I don't add Co2. I've experimented with lots of different plants and have found some very hardy plants that the fish don't like to eat. These are now thriving in my tank. But I would leave your tank to settle down before adding anything. Might be worth posting a question about the Co2 on the plants page, though i've noticed there aren'y many people here. All the americans must be in bed!!

 

[jams.alaskan]

to the forum! What a great deal - best of luck with everything.

ALASKA

 

[Tempestuousfury]

to the forum.

We'd be glad to hear from you.

That is a lot of fish to put into an uncycled tank. I hope it works out.

Over time you'll learn all about feeding, breeding, plants, cycling, etc. Just stick with us and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Join our school.

 

[agamemnon]

Thanks for all the replies.

Tempestuousfury, I know its a lot of fish in new water but I had no choice. The guy selling was off to the States yesterday and I picked the tank up Monday. What else could I do with the fish? I have been checking with my Hagen testers for ammonia but OK so far. I know it takes time for the water to become poisonous so I am not overconfident.

Apart from removing anything that will add to the chances of an imbalance, like uneaten food and leaves, what can I do to maximise the chances of most of the fish getting through the cycle? Shall I post this message elsewhere?

 

[Thai_Fish]

Hi there,

That is a really good deal! Neons can be extremely sensitive in a new tank, so keep an eye on them.

Do you have access to gravel from an established aquarium? That might help your tank cycle a little faster. Products such as Ammo Lock might help you get through the first stage of cycling once the ammonia spikes.

Good Luck and Welcome!
Hyla

 

[Great Lakes]

Welcome to the funhouse.....


GL

 

[cutechic]

Welcome to the forum Nick Good luck with your new fish

 

[HeatherSweetness]

 

[Inchworm]

Hi agamemnon

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you got a great deal there! It sounds like it had been set up before you bought it. If any of the gravel was still wet and you set it up right away, you might have saved some of the beneficial bacteria. If so, it will be a big help to you with the cycling process.

Once your goldfish gets well, the weather loach will make a great companion for him.

 

[smyth19]