Newbie Fish Lover Needs Some Help Please :)

[waterdrop]

How big a tank were you able to get for Fluffy?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Jazzzz]

Welcome I hope your problem improoves its nice to see someone who is really keen to help their fish and absorbs the information quickly and takes action its a nice refreshing change.

What are you studying at glasgow

 

[silverrabbit]

Sorry Fluffy is still getting chased, but well done for getting a bigger tank and for water testing

I would recommend rehoming Susie permanently - if the taking her out and re-introducing her didn't work, then I don't think she's gonna back down

Fluffy's tail becoming ragged is showing that he's getting nipped and stressed, and his health will suffer unfortunately

Putting some Melafix in the tank would be good - will help to heal Fluffy's fins up and it's an anti-bacterial. Just make sure you have an air stone in there when using the meds.

Would your pet shop exchange Susie for you?

 

[barakuda]

Hi friends!

Thanks for all the feedback, once again you've been a great help

Waterdrop, I managed to get a beautiful 28 gallon tank for Fluffy for a really great price; I think the fish are much happier with the extra space.

Jazzzz, I couldn't do otherwise. I grew up in a family with lots of pets, ranging from cats and dogs to rabbits and a pigeon (fully domesticated, would fly up on my shoulder while I was playing the guitar!) I think that above all, it is respect for our fellow "planet Earth" inhabitants - especially those in captivity - to take the best care of them. As for my studies, I just finished my PhD in Computing and I'm awaiting my viva - patiently!

Silverrabbit, you're totally right about Fluffy's state of health. He's lost his previous vivacity and is now mostly staying at the top of the tank (but still swims near me when I send him kisses from the top of the tank; somehow he recognises the sound and seems to enjoy it!) I'll go to the pet-shop today and get Melafix and an air stone, also ask for Susie to go back to the pet-shop tank and reflect on her behaviour!

There is a friend who has a big aquarium and could put her up; the problem is she lives in Stirling and I don't know how to carry Susie all the way there. I don't think she'll be ok in a bag for the 1-2 hour journey (depending on traffic). To be honest, I think I'd like Fluffy to stay by himself for a while and recover. I don't think I'll be rushing to get another fish in the tank.

I'll let you all know of the results when I come back from the pet shop. In the meantime, enjoy the sunny day - I hope at least that it's sunny where you are

 

[waterdrop]

ok, 28 sounds good for Fluffy!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[barakuda]

Hehe, waterdrop the 28 gallon tank seems to work great for them too! You should see how much they're enjoying the extra space and the new plants

So, eventually we decided to keep Susie; the pet shop wouldn't take her back and we thought that we should give her another chance. Today we bought some new plants, a new filter/pump (it's a Fluval 3 plus) and a nice air stone in the shape of a bridge!

Oh, I'm so happy and proud of our fishy tank I'll post photos for you to see and tell me what you think. It's also amazing how in the big tank - which has a light - the colour of the fish seems so more vibrant!

I want to believe that the tank cycling I did (thanks to the post by Miss Wiggle, bless her) was successful, as the fish seem to be happy in there and more active than ever. I still have a wee question though... (as if I wouldn't) I was given with the tank a "Green-X phosphate remover, traps phosphate, nitrite and nitrate". Given that we only have silk plants in the tank, should I put it in? If so, the instructions are not clear how to install it. Any suggestions?

Thank you again all very much for the advice and the encouragement. I'll post the pics as soon as I can, part of the achievement belongs to you too

 

[waterdrop]

I would not use any type of "remover." The biofilter is your main tool for the rapid removal of ammonia and nitrite(NO2) and you need to have a flow of both those substances for the 2 species of bacteria to stay alive and healthy, so you don't want any sort of "chemical" removal of them. Then the weekly water change removes the end result of the biofilter, the nitrate(NO3) and the fact that you gravel-clean to do the water change is essenial, its the other most important beginner habit after having a working biofilter.

~~waterdrop~~