I Got A Job Maintaining A Fishtank

[yvez9]

you could always get otos to eat algea off plants and glass and cories to clean the bottom.

cories are quite fun to watch too

 

[prankster705]

Or if ottos are to demanding for you try SAE as they aren't hard to care for.

 

[Torrean]

All right this is the stocking list I have so far. I'm still thinking about Gourami's to add to the list of centerpiece fish. The cockatoo's worry me a couple profiles I've read say they are not very hardy. This is not a complete list by any means. I haven't been able to devote much time to it since finals are next week so please be kind. Feel free to add any information you see missing or think I should consider. If you think of a particular fish that you think I should consider let me know. All these fish are not going into the tank. This is a work in progress. I haven't worked out any numbers for which fish to use yet I'd like your opinions on who is not compatible with whom before I go into that. Will mixing cichlids cause any stress I should know about?

Centerpiece (take one or two of the centerpiece entries)
Pterophyllum Scalare
Angel Fish X 4 (one breeding pair remove the other two when adult)
Maximum Size = 6” X 4 = 24”
PH= 6-7.5
Temperature = 75-82F
Temperament = Mildly Aggressive until breeding
Level = Middle

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid X 2
Maximum Size = 3.5” X 2 = 7”
PH < 7.5
Temperature = 77-82F
Temperament = Mildly Aggressive until breeding

Bolivian Ram X 2
Maximum Size=3.5” X 2 = 7”
PH = 7.5
Temperature= 80 F
Temperament = Mildly Aggressive
Level = Bottom and Middle

Schools
Black Skirt Tetra X 7
Maximum Size= 2” X 7 = 14”
PH= 6-8
Temperature=70-82F
Temperament = Peaceful except when breeding
Level= mid to upper

Cory X 6
Maximum Size= 2” X 6 = 12”
PH= 7-8
Temperature=73-80
Temperament = Very Peaceful
Level = Bottom

Gold/zebra Danio X 6
Maximum Size=2” X 6 = 12”
PH= 6.5-7.5
Temperature= 65-80F
Temperament = Peaceful energetic
Level = top some middle

Pangio Kuhli
Kuhli Loach X 4
Maximum Size = 3.5” X 4 = 14”
PH =
Temperature = 70-78F
Temperament = peaceful
Level = bottom (hides a lot)




Algae Eaters
L146 Rubbernose Pleco X 1 or 2
Maximum Size= 7” X 2 = 14”
PH = 6.5-7.5
Temperature= 72-80F
Temperament =Peaceful
Level = bottom and glass

True Siamese Algae Eater X 3?
Maximum Size= 6” X 3 =18”
PH=6-8
Temperature= 75-80 F
Temperament = peaceful
Level = bottom
(black jagged edged stripe runs from nose through fork in tail, stripe is clear once it reaches tail. Do not buy if it has a smooth stripe or if the stripe starts at the eye or if it stops at the base of the tail. If the stripe goes through the tail, remains dark, and become broader do not buy.)

 

[Torrean]

The guy who used to clean the tank came back from Sri Lanka or wherever he went. So she fired me. She said I did a great job and that she'd recommend me to anyone. I don't think I trust the other guy though. Oh well. Guess I need to find some more tanks. =(

I was just getting a handle on How I should stock the tank too. Do you guys think I should keep in touch and find out what the other guy does with the tank? If he let her keep angels without a heater I don't have much faith in him.

 

[yvez9]

i would let him be
trying to convince people on how to take care of fisah when they are 100% convinced they know better because they remember doing it that way before is a hard task. You'll probably just get mad in the end and waste energy trying to convince someone they are wrong.


just let it be and if he screws up, i'm sure the lady will call you back! it sucks for the fish but some people have to learn the hard way

 

[annka5]

Thats really bad luck. I'd be inclined to leave it, it is good of her to give the other guy his job back, I assume whe promised it to him before he went. You never knoe maybe she'll call you if things don't work out that well.

 

[Mr Miagi]

Id let it go too. No point IMO. You can first off ring him and discuss what your plans where, and your thoughts and ideas, but if he doesnt want to persue any of them, thats up to hi and her.

No point making a pain of yourself. Then she might not recomend you further!

Its good to know she would recomend you though mate! Nice work!

 

[Torrean]

I sent her an e-mail to thank her for the opportunity. Since there still seems to be some interest in this thread i will post it for your review. I've already sent it so too late to turn back if I messed up. I can send another if I really screwed something up.

Hi Sam,
Thank you for the opportunity, I’m sad that I don’t get to stock that tank I was kinda excited about it. I hope that you were happy with the work I did. Just so you know I didn’t clean the algae off of the rocks because I was planning on adding an algae eater and it needs an algae base to feed off of, so that it gets a good start in the tank. I worked on the stocking lists a good bit but did not complete all of them.
For your information and future stocking I have worked out a few things about your tank. Your tank is about 58 gallons, with a surface area of about 648” sq.. It is capable of carrying 55 inches of adult fish with average filtration. (This can be bent with increased filtration, water changes, live plants, etc.) You need 150 Watts of heat, to maintain a steady temperature. I recommend that you purchase two smaller heaters that equal 150 watts. Water temperature shifts of more than 2 degrees in a day (especially when cooling) can lead to many diseases. Foremost among these is a disease called ICH. A heater will contribute to the overall stability and health of your tank. The reason I recommend two heaters is because if one breaks the other will maintain the temperature until you can replace the broken one. This is more expensive and one heater will suffice, this is just a recommendation.
About water changes, the way that you know if your tank needs a water change is to monitor something called Nitrate. A test for this can be purchased at any fish store. I recommend buying a master kit as the other tests will come in handy during the stocking/cycling process (feel free to ask me more about this if you do not know much about the nitrogen cycle). Every week for the first few months after adding new fish check your NitrAtes. If they reach 50-60 then it is time for a water change. This will help you develop a proper schedule for tank maintenance. Doing a 25% water change will help maintain the stability of the tank and the health of the fish. Adding live plants can proportionally reduce the need for water changes because they consume NitrAtes. I know that this sounds like a lot of work and it is, but most of it is temporary. Once the tank becomes stable and you develop your schedule for water changes, much less is required to keep the tank running smoothly.
Even though you are no longer paying me to take care of your fish I would be more than happy to help you with any information at my disposal. In a small way I am glad that I am not working on your tank. It frees me to give you my honest opinion without having to worry about you thinking I am trying to take your money. I remember you asking how you cool off a tank. There are several methods for reducing temperature. First you can purchase a small clip-on fan and attach it to the rim of the tank with the air blowing across the surface. Be sure that you attaché it securely or it may fall in your tank, and that would be very bad. Monitor the temperature when doing this because it can cool the tank fairly quickly. Another method is to simply do a water change and add cooler water to the tank. If you choose this method only change 25-30% of the water in a roughly 3 day period. Massive temperature or PH fluctuations caused by larger water changes (most likely will not but) can kill your fish.
I thank you for the opportunity you gave me and I hope that your tank turns out beautifully. If you would like to run the stocking lists provided by your old fish guy by me I would be more than happy to look at them. I’m sure he will do a good job, but if you would like a second opinion or some suggestions I am willing to help.

Also, I am attempting to start a small business making aquarium ornaments. If you might be interested in looking at them for your own tank let me know and I will e-mail you photos as soon as each piece is finished. Since it is likely that I will be close to your business when I pick up my ornaments, I could even bring them by and let you look at them if you wanted. I don’t want you to feel obligated I’m just offering you first pick if you want it.

Thank you very much,
Landon

 

[daddyfish]

i would honestly refuse to take care of saomeone else's tank if they don't meet basic requirements for the fish they want.

if it worked for them in the past, i'd let them take care of it otherwise you'll be blamed for sick fish!

hope she understands why heaters are a good investment!

Agreed.

I could Never take Tank Maintenece as a Job.

Why is Simple I'm very Picky when it comes to taking Care of Fish.
It's either done Right or not At All.
No Heater is plain out Foolish Period...

Now thats unless your talking Goldfish, in which Case a Heater isn't Needed. "At Room Temps."

And if i was to take on Caring for Someone Elses Tank, they would Defenetly Provide the Chems, Test Kits, etc, etc.

Or the Price would be a Tad higher then 30 bucks.

But to Each their Own.

Good Luck in the bussiness, AND Please try to Work them Towards a Heater $25 for a Heater is Worth having Happier and surely Healthier Fish.

 

[morgan]

That e-mail was excellent. You said all that needed to be said clearly and concisely. Good luck with your business.