I Need Some Advice!

[g&pmomma]

Hey everyone... well my last adventure in fish keeping didnt go so well but I have decided that I would like to try again in a few weeks... but I need a few questions answered before I try it!!! I am just trying to figure out where I went wrong before and how to fix the problems that I had before.

The species of fish that I am very interested in is Guppies... I love these fish and they are so beautiful so that is what I am really trying to get into... What I am wondering is this:

1.) what is the best kind of filter system to use?

2.) What is the best kind of air pump is best to use?

3.) I have a fish tank that is about six years old, is it still safe to use it and the gravel that I had before?

4.) What kind of plants do I use for guppies?

5.) How many guppies can I fit in a ten gallon tank?

6.) What is the best kind of heater to use?

7.) How long after I put them in the fish tank should I start using aquarium salt for them?

8.) How often should I change the water in the tank?

9.) What kind of breeder system should I have? Should I have two tanks for the fish or should I get a breeder box that hangs into the aquarium?

10.) Last but not least if I decide that I dont want to do only guppies what other fish is safe to have in the tank with guppies?

Thank you
Patti

 

[Mikaila31]

Well, first off you have too cycle the tank, that is probably where you went wrong before. You can read about cycling here and here. getting some mature media from a already cycled tank is the quickest way. A fishless cycle will take about 3-4 weeks and a fish-in cycle will take a lot longer.

1. I would go for a HOB(hang on back filter)

2. air pumps are not needed, especially with a HOB, but you can add one if you like them.

3. Yes if all the seals look good. but I would bake the rocks in the oven for an hour at a high temp, and clean out the tank with water and bleach at a ratio of 20parts water to 1 part bleach. Rinse to out really good and use lots of dechlorinator to get rid or the bleach.

4. You can use live if your tank has enough light for them, but most normally don't. So I would go for plastic, but if you want live plants, you should read some of the pinned topics in the planted tank section.

5. I would say 6 before, you are fully stocked, but I doubt you want only guppies in the tank. Also if you go for guppies I suggest all males, you can get females if you want but normally they give birth to about 30 babies every month. And they have the ability to store sperm, so they will have babies even without a male present.

6. I would go for a submersible heater, because they are water proof and a lot sturdier than the non-submersible ones.

7. Guppies don't need salt, but it won't hurt to add it. I would add it before you add the fish, but theres no reason to add it during the cycling time.

8. IMO that all depends on your tap water and the water in the tank, but normally it is once a week or once every two weeks

9. I would go for two tanks, but with guppies you are quickly going to be over run with fry. Breeder boxes are very stressful on fish and most don't give them enough room.

10. read this thread here

Cheers,
Mikaila31

 

[chicklette]

I find aquaclears and canisters to be the best. It also comes down to personal preference.
Power heads are great to use. They really do a good job aerating the tank.

Yes, you can use the same gravel however, I would clean it up really well like Mikaila suggested.

I’m not a plant person so I don’t know.

I agree, you can fit about six to eight guppies. If you want to breed them have one male to three females. If you don’t want to be over run with guppies I would just stick to an all male tank plus they are much more pretty. Also I would not add all the guppies at once. Just add a couple at a time. You can also do a fishless cycle which is the best way to cycle a tank.

Personally I don’t use salt in any of my tanks unless I’m treating an illness.

I clean my tanks every two weeks. When you clean your filter never rinse the filter media in tap water as this will get rid of the good bacteria then you will re-cycle your tank. Just gently rinse it in tank water. I usually change 30% to 50%, depending on how much debris I’m picking up from my vacuum.

The tank mates you can have are :
Keep in mind that it’s s small tank so don’t overstock.
Glass fish, neon tetras, corys, tetras, platys, one dwarf goruami, danios, swordtails, rasaboras