Hey

[Rickzayne]

Well I've been noseying around this board for some time.

I bought a 25l chi 3 weeks ago.
(water evaporates for fun but looks nice)

Left it running for 2 weeks while on holiday then got went to a fish shop where they advised me(after testing my water for nothing since it's just water..) to pick any 6 fish to start it off and come back in a week and get 4 more providing the water is okay... But from what I've read I shouldnt be adding more fish so soon.. And 10 fish seems quite slot for such a small tropical tank.

But anyway, I bought 3 neons, 1 cat fish, 1 sucker fish( don't know the names of any of them sorry ) and 1 fat black and White fish. I'll try post pictures later and I hope you could identify them for me, but it's 4 days in and so far no problems. Im doing 25% water changes to keep the ammonia down. Nit sure it's helping or making the cycle take longer as my paper tests show no nitrates yet.

But my issue now is... I want a bigger tank... and to attempt to keep live plants as well.

But what's the best way of going about this...?

Buy a bigger tank but wait for my current tank to stabilise? Or buy it now set it up and put them in it with my current filter as well... To give it a head start?

Then there's the whole live plants... Not really found any good reading... If there is any.

Thanks got reading my essay

Looking forward to hearing your replies.

But as promised my 3 fish I don't know there actual names...

the last one is my algae eater.. so couldn't get a good photo.. as it likes to hide -.-

Do you think it would be best to buy the tank.. sent up the plants and let it run for a few weeks before transferring my fish?

Or set them both up and just put water from my part changes in to the 2nd tank?

Sorry for soooo many questions!

 

[Fishy friend2]

the first one is a corie they need to be in groups of plus six the second is a mollie and the third it an oto they also like to be in plus six groups you can either take the corie and the oto back to the store or use this as an excuse to get a bigger tank and the neon need to be in plus six groups

 

[fluttermoth]

I think you really have to get a larger tank. I can't really recommend fish for a tank that small; maybe teo or three male Endler's or guppies, but that would be fully stocked.

You can either return the fish, get a larger tank and do a proper fishless cycle, or get the bigger tank and transfer all your fish into it; you might just as well cycle a decent sized tank that the small one, if these are the kinds of fish you want to keep.

The otocinclus (your 'algae eater') do very much need to be in a group or 6+ and need a mature tank with lots of algae in it already, so return him if you can.

The bronze cory also needs 5+ friends ASAP, and a sand substrate; he won't be happy on your gravel, I'm afraid.

 

[Rickzayne]

#41#### it -.-

Thanks,

Looks like I've got some work ahead of me!

I really wanted to get some live plants in the bigger tank tho and don't fancy trying to cycle a tank and look after the plants at the same time...

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, if you return the fish, then you can do a fishless cycle and add plants at the end. If you're going to move these fish into a bigger tank, then plants will be better for them, and aren't hard to look after, if you stick with the easy varieties.

 

[XeroTolerance]

The first one is a cory. They need to be kept in groups of at least 4. The second one looks like a Dalmatian molly. I don't know what the last one is though. Always do research when buying fish. If you don't know what they are why are you putting them in your tank. Plus your tank is really small. How are you sure they won't out grow it? How are you even sure what to feed it or if they need anything special? What I'm trying to say is do research before you buy fish. They are living things too.

 

[Rickzayne]

The first one is a cory. They need to be kept in groups of at least 4. The second one looks like a Dalmatian molly. I don't know what the last one is though. Always do research when buying fish. If you don't know what they are why are you putting them in your tank. Plus your tank is really small. How are you sure they won't out grow it? How are you even sure what to feed it or if they need anything special? What I'm trying to say is do research before you buy fish. They are living things too.

I'm quite sure if they required any special requirements, the shop would of told me so.

and tbh I bought them with the intention of buying a larger tank in the very near future.

and as for researching, how can I when I don't even know what fish the shop had in stock -.-

please keep your bitchy comment to your self. I'm here for advise not a poo slinging match, and to ease your mind as soon as I get my larger tank ill get them some friends =]

 

[XeroTolerance]

The first one is a cory. They need to be kept in groups of at least 4. The second one looks like a Dalmatian molly. I don't know what the last one is though. Always do research when buying fish. If you don't know what they are why are you putting them in your tank. Plus your tank is really small. How are you sure they won't out grow it? How are you even sure what to feed it or if they need anything special? What I'm trying to say is do research before you buy fish. They are living things too.

I'm quite sure if they required any special requirements, the shop would of told me so.

and tbh I bought them with the intention of buying a larger tank in the very near future.

and as for researching, how can I when I don't even know what fish the shop had in stock -.-

please keep your bitchy comment to your self. I'm here for advise not a poo slinging match, and to ease your mind as soon as I get my larger tank ill get them some friends =]

I was just saying. Before you buy your pets you need to know which ones you are going to buy before you buy them. I also wouldn't count on the LFS to tell you if they need special requirements. They usually don't unless if you have a very good one. All I was saying was before you buy fish you need to know what you are actually buying before you buy it. For example, if you buy and oto and put it in a new tank it will probably die by the lack of algae. Also otos need live plants to thrive.

Now if your going to get angry to me who is trying to help and advice you than I'll take my leave from this thread. I don't think a "bitchy" comment is one that is there for your help and support. If you are willing to throw peoples comments under the bus like that when they are trying to help you than I recommend not asking for help. I'll take my leave now and I wish you luck in your fish keeping.

And to answer your questions.

1. Already answered
2. Don't buy in the intention of getting another tank. Either you have the space to keep them or you don't
3.Go to the shop and see what they have in stock. Than go home and do research on the fish that you saw. The one thing you need in this hobby is patience and if you think it would be too long to go to the store and drive back you could
have always called before hand.

 

[Rickzayne]

I was just saying. Before you buy your pets you need to know which ones you are going to buy before you buy them. I also wouldn't count on the LFS to tell you if they need special requirements. They usually don't unless if you have a very good one. All I was saying was before you buy fish you need to know what you are actually buying before you buy it. For example, if you buy and oto and put it in a new tank it will probably die by the lack of algae. Also otos need live plants to thrive.

Now if your going to get angry to me who is trying to help and advice you than I'll take my leave from this thread. I don't think a "bitchy" comment is one that is there for your help and support. If you are willing to throw peoples comments under the bus like that when they are trying to help you than I recommend not asking for help. I'll take my leave now and I wish you luck in your fish keeping.

And to answer your questions.

1. Already answered
2. Don't buy in the intention of getting another tank. Either you have the space to keep them or you don't
3.Go to the shop and see what they have in stock. Than go home and do research on the fish that you saw. The one thing you need in this hobby is patience and if you think it would be too long to go to the store and drive back you could
have always called before hand.

Sorry xD

People where annoying me over the facebook and I took your comment completely the wrong way!

I dot even understand why I said what I said!

 

[laura120381]

hi there,

its a real shame that your lfs wasn't very good at giving advice. don't worry though it happens a lot!! as everyone has told you so far, you have there a bronze cory, a dalmation molly and...sorry mate...not too sure on the last one!! neons need to be kept in groups of 6+ as do corys and the corys prefer a sandy substrate. these are all things that the lfs should have told you when you were buying them so don't feel bad!! glad you are going to upgrade your tank. we really need to find out what your catfish is as many of these can grow to a significant size really quickly!! if you go back to the shop, try and find out what its called and post it up so we can advise you better.

now that you have seen some of the tropicals available, you will be able to do some research on what you might like for your new tank, what is compatible, sizes, temps etc. if possible, i would try to get a bigger tank asap. have a wee look on the net (and on here!), see what you fancy, let us know what size of tank you are upgrading to and what kind of fish you fancy and we will all be happy to give you advice before you decide on your final stocking. remember and have a wee look at the threads on cycling etc. good luck and we are always here to help!!

L.

ps - please don't rely on your lfs alone for advice on stocking and requirements etc...some are useless and only interested in making a sale!! hope you enjoy researching what you want to get and i am sure all will be fine!! also glad you and xero made up!! its easy to take things said the wrong way sometimes...lol.

 

[XeroTolerance]

I was just saying. Before you buy your pets you need to know which ones you are going to buy before you buy them. I also wouldn't count on the LFS to tell you if they need special requirements. They usually don't unless if you have a very good one. All I was saying was before you buy fish you need to know what you are actually buying before you buy it. For example, if you buy and oto and put it in a new tank it will probably die by the lack of algae. Also otos need live plants to thrive.

Now if your going to get angry to me who is trying to help and advice you than I'll take my leave from this thread. I don't think a "bitchy" comment is one that is there for your help and support. If you are willing to throw peoples comments under the bus like that when they are trying to help you than I recommend not asking for help. I'll take my leave now and I wish you luck in your fish keeping.

And to answer your questions.

1. Already answered
2. Don't buy in the intention of getting another tank. Either you have the space to keep them or you don't
3.Go to the shop and see what they have in stock. Than go home and do research on the fish that you saw. The one thing you need in this hobby is patience and if you think it would be too long to go to the store and drive back you could
have always called before hand.

Sorry xD

People where annoying me over the facebook and I took your comment completely the wrong way!

I dot even understand why I said what I said!

No problem.

 

[Rickzayne]

The fish tank I have found and JUST out of budget is this one:

http/www.aquariumsdelivered.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=127{9}1

Planning on getting white sand for a few plants and some nice wood.

I've been told that the catfish type fish only grow depending on how much oxygen is available in the aquarium. Not sure how truthful that is.

 

[fluttermoth]

, you have there a bronze cory, a dalmation molly and...sorry mate...not too sure on the last one!!

Otocinclus; does only grow to an inch or two, but needs to be in a shoal in a very mature tank, and a lot of algae. I recently decided not to get a group as I didn't think I could provide for them.

Without wishing to sound harsh, on it's own, in a new set-up, it's unlikely to last long.

 

[Rickzayne]

, you have there a bronze cory, a dalmation molly and...sorry mate...not too sure on the last one!!

Otocinclus; does only grow to an inch or two, but needs to be in a shoal in a very mature tank, and a lot of algae. I recently decided not to get a group as I didn't think I could provide for them.

Without wishing to sound harsh, on it's own, in a new set-up, it's unlikely to last long.

i hope not =[

 

[Harlequins]

Has mentioned lfs aren't the best place to get information,their aim is to sell you anything they can...

Has you are in a fish in cycle,please read the beginners section regarding cycling the filter,this will help you to understand the nitrogen cycle and keep your fish alive.

Personally i would take back the cory & the oto,both will be lucky to survive a fish in cycle and both need to be in larger groups.The oto will probably starve of algae and the cory will hurt its barbels on that gravel....

That tank is a good one to go for have a look on ebay also,theres some bargain tanks to be had for less