New Fish, Some Questions.

[J uice R anch]

Hello,

I have a small aquarium set-up, its about 5 gallons, got an aqua clear mini running. I have had this tank for a year, and recently someone did something to the tank, and all the fish except one died. The one left was a scissortail, nothing too big. I let the tank go uncleaned and neglected for months.

Well, today , I was browsing the pet store, and decided to pick up some stuff for my filter. Then I decided to get some more fish. After all, the last fish did seem quite lonley.

So, my first question is, what filtration system should I set up? I have a freshwater tank, and I currently have a 2 in 1 carbon and amonia filter bag, some kind of bio bag, and a sponge. Do these all work together well, or should I change one of the elements?

Second question, what should the temps be? I have the heater set to about 78 F and the thermometer reads around 82. Is this too hot or too cold?

Third question, will my fish get along? I have 2 tinfoil fish, (thats all I know, I don't remember exactly what they were called) 1 scissor tail fish, a 3" catfish, and a 2" placo. I just bought them today (except for the scissor tail.)

Also, I seem to have an algae problem. I just got a placo, I know, but tank builds up alot of the green stuff and I find myself scraping it off alot. I use those magnetic glass brushes. Should I leave some algae for the placo? Or is it too much for the fish to handle? I already removed the algae from the front and sides, but theres still a think layer of it on the back. I think I should scrape some off, leave the back algae untill the placo gets bigger. I have expreience with them, I had one once, started out the same size, and once it grew to 4 inches, the glass was clear as a wine glass. Am I right?

How should I feed them? Right now, I use tetramin tropical fish flakes, but I really don't know if theres anything for the catfish to eat. Will it eat the flakes off the ground? Or the poop? I think they should have some kind of variety, what would be considered a treat for them?

OK, If you actually read the whole thing, thank you!

 

[Baozer]

Welcome to the hobby!

So to start off, 5 gallon is not a bad size. Although, be careful when stocking your fish. Over-stocking can lead to increased algae, poor water quality, and subsception to diseases. Usually, plecos get too large for a 5 gallon and in the future, you might need to find it a larger home. All in all, since you're new to the hobby, I dont blame you. Usually every beginner likes to stock their tank full of nice fishies Anyhow, I suggest you return a few of those fish to the store if you just recently bought them. Tinfoil barbs get large as well and if you feed it adequately everyday, it'll outgrow your tank pretty soon! Best luck.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Plecostomus will get up to 24 inches. Bristlenoses are among the few that don't. But they still get around 8 inches long. A five gallon tank is suitable for a tadpole or a beta IMO. I could never put a living fish in a 5 gallon tank save a betta. The larger the tank, the more it can sustain a bio-load. Therefore the healthier your fish will be and the less often you will need to clean it. Algae is likely a real proolem because you have high nitrates or phosphates. There are phosphate removers in the form of filter media, and water changes will keep the nitrates in check. I'd suggest an upgrade to at least a 29 gallon tank. The way I see it is, how would you like to be cramped in your bed room for the rest of your life, as someone threw food at you from the ceiling, and you pooped on the floor, without that person cleaning your room once a week. You probably would want to kill yourself. Please for the sake of the fish get a bigger tank. Welcome to the hobby and good luck.

 

[J uice R anch]

Well, I didn't think the pleco would grow that large. I had a pleco in this tank for about a year, and he only grew to about 4 inches.

Yes, I know this is a small tank, but I found the tank in my basement, I got it when I was about 4 years old, and it housed 2 goldfish, so I decided to get a small filter and gravel for it, setting up an aquarium.

Please don't make jokes, my bedroom is 6' by 8' and I have leaks in the ceiling dripping on me all night. Well, I sorta made the "leaks" story up. I just got the roof repaired so it sorta stopped now.

I'm not exactly new to the hobby, but I'm just now getting serious about it. I'm sure by the time I move out of this small room, I will get a bigger tank, i'm looking into getting one of those 100 gallon tanks, maybe 2. There actually very cheap. My LFS has a 100 something gallon with a cabinet stand, filter, light, gravel, and ornaments for $479 usd. Is that a good price? it seems affordable, but if I could get it for cheaper, I wouldn't mind.

 

[J uice R anch]

OK, who here knows math? My tank is 17" wide, 9" deep, 11" tall. How many gallons would it be?

 

[Tolak]

I'm coming up with 7.29 gallons, may as well call it 7. The price on the 100 gallon setups isn't bad. With a small tank like that you could keep a trio of platys or guppys, or half a dozen neons with a few pygmy corys. Any plec will grow too large for that tank. You could always buy a smaller plec, with the understanding that you will need to trade them in for a smaller replacement once they get larger.

 

[Lynda B]

Well, I didn't think the pleco would grow that large. I had a pleco in this tank for about a year, and he only grew to about 4 inches.

I applaud you for coming to the forum to learn as much as you can about your "newfound" hobby. If you put a fish in a very small tank, even though that fish is supposed to grow to be large, it will stay small on the outside, but will grow on the inside. It's called stunting. It's very dangerous and unhealthy for the fish.

You're getting great advice, and hey, it's free advice!!! Yay!

Welcome to the forum! You'll learn lots here.

 

[J uice R anch]

So, I should upgrade to a much bigger tank in the very near future?

 

[Lynda B]

If you wish to keep the same species of fish? Yes.