My First Aquarium

[bunty82]

Hi Friends,

I just brought my new aquarium (24lX12bX14h).I actually i dont know the varieties i am having i got 14 fishes. I will post pics next time. I was also having one betta but as he was feeding on the fins of other fishes so i return it back.
I dont know how much to feed them. I usually feed them twice a day. The seller was saying that dont feed them too much or they will make the water dirty. Its just 3 days and the water is really a bit dirty. with out light you cant see them properly.
Also tell me what is the perfect time for changing water.

 

[ollyhtafc]

Change water whenever you want but at least once a week about %20 usually does it for me.

Feeding the fish twice a day is fine, just feed them as much as they can eat in about a minute,that way there's no uneaten food.You could feed them once a day and they'd be perfectly fine though if you're concerned about water quality.

 

[bunty82]

thanks for the help buddy. My seller told me that there suppose to be some water left in the aquarium, i mean water shouldn,t be changed 100% it can be 80% or so.is that true.

 

[rabbut]

You can 100% waterchange if you wish, but you must remember that that may have serious consiquences for your fish . From reading your post, I understand that you have had the tank running for 5 days, and that the fish have been in for 3. Your water is clouding, and you have 1 fish in a 70litre tank. This could on it's own be the caurse of your cloudy water. Presumably, you haven't moved any filter sponge over from another tank?

I am gessing that if I have interpreted your post correctly, the caurse of the waters cloudyness, is a bactirial bloom, as the tank goes through the cycling process. I would advise you to [topic="224306"]read here[/topic] to find out about fish-in cycling, as this is now what you are doing. This process is very hard on your fish, and can often lead to deaths, as fish slowly poison themselves to death This is not your fault, as your Local Fish Shop LFS should have advised you about cycling, which they haven't. All too common in this hobby I'm afraid. Your main priority here is to stop feeding completely for the time being, and carry out a large waterchange to fressen up the tank, and give your fish a better chance of getting through this alive

As the LFS were even prepaired to sell you 14 fish into a tank that was newly set-up, without warning you of the potential consiquences, I'm going to assume that they haven't explaind the correct methords to doing maintanance either. To avoid you running into further problems, I would strongly advise you to read [topic="171045"]this link[/topic] to formiliarise yourself to the correct way of maintaining your new tank. The main thing to note, is that NONE of your filter media should get anywhere near tap water, and that all tap water must be treated before being added to the tank.

Hope this helped HTH, and to TFF
Rabbut

 

[bunty82]

Thanks for you suggestion, however the seller even asked me what kind of water you'll be using like ground water is best for them. I got that so i told him i will be using it only. he said that would be fine, i am not using tap water i use ground water.

 

[Mikaila31]

By ground water do you mean well water? Either way a cycle will take place no matter what kind of water you use, it is a natural process that all tanks go through. Although using fish for cycling isn't the best option. You really need a test kit ASAP, a liquid one is best, you want one that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PH. Any idea on how many gallons the tank is? and what kind of fish you have?

Cheers,
Mikaila31

 

[chamberpot]

Just wanted to say what a refreshing change it is to have so much positive, constructive advice and encouragement

 

[guppy fan]

Just wanted to say what a refreshing change it is to have so much positive, constructive advice and encouragement

Aggried .

 

[Hollymolly4]

Hi! Welcome to the fish hobby and this forum. You will find so much information here and please ask any questions you need to. We've all made mistakes and learned from them. One thing you may have already figured out, a lot of LFS workers either don't know or don't care enough to give the best advise. This does not go for all. Just make sure you do your research before you go into the store.
I did fish in cycling my first time as well (didn't know any better) so I just changed the water often and the tank cycled pretty quickly actually, which is not the norm. Just make sure you keep the ammonia levels low. The test kit you get will tell you what levels are safe.
Best of luck to you! Can't wait to see pics!