Newbie In Need Of Advice

[Fintastic!]

My gourami is around 6" top to tail, the albino cory is around 2 inches and the pepper is around 1.5. the mollies look to be slightly under 2 and the platies are a bit smaller again. The danios are about the same. Thanks a million for you honesty guys! Caz I'm impressed with you maths! You've explained things perfectly. Do you guys reckon I need to free some right away or is there time to cycle a new tank? See, I'm getting the lingo already!!

 

[colleen0309]

Most of the fish should be fine while you cycle another, bigger tank. As long as you keep up with water changes on the smaller tank and keep the ammonia and nitrite as close to 0 as possible. The only fish I am really concerned with is the gourami. At 6", he's pretty big to be in such a small tank. What size tank are you going to get? May I suggest it is not a hex. Get something longer.

 

[coldcazzie]

My gourami is around 6" top to tail, the albino cory is around 2 inches and the pepper is around 1.5. the mollies look to be slightly under 2 and the platies are a bit smaller again. The danios are about the same. Thanks a million for you honesty guys! Caz I'm impressed with you maths! You've explained things perfectly. Do you guys reckon I need to free some right away or is there time to cycle a new tank? See, I'm getting the lingo already!!

haha thanks, but I had to ring my dad to make sure it was right!

Also, the fish may be small now, but really you should think in terms of their adult size. If you can't house the fish as an adult then really you shouldn't have it as a baby.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Ok, I've managed to measure the tank. It's a Clearseal, hex shape and it's 18.5 inches high and 55.5 inches around. The filter is a Fluval 2 plus. I have it filled up to 3 inches from the top. The only thing I can think to do is bring the danio's and gourami to the fish shop though hubby now wants to get another tank to accommodate them.

I thought we had another member with MTS(multi tank syndrome) . This is a very real disorder, and very contagious ! I say "Go For It!". Get a bigger tank and maybe another pink kisser to go along with the one you have. That's how I ended up with 8 aquariums. But seriously, a bigger tank is really easier to maintain and the fish seem so much happier. My husband isn't very happy, but I can't help it if he doesn't like fish.

I have to agree there! We started with a 10gallon for my kids, now I am cycling the 10 gallon again, moved all the fish to a 40gallon. I also have a 3 gallon betta tank, and a 3L betta tank in my room. We are currently trying to figure out what we want for the 10gallon when it is done cycling. The 3gallon is under investigation though. It seems to kill fish.....almost killed my betta lol. But he is in the 40 gallon tank now and doing well.

 

[Fishy friend2]

Get a bigger tank oh yeah and

 

[Fintastic!]

Is a 40 gallon huge? I could see my guys living the high life in one of those!! Ok, bad news.... All fish seemed well this morning but I came home this aft to find my poor dalmation molly looking dead and bumping into things. The gourami and danios kept swimming by and being a bit aggressive with him. Long and short of it is, he is dead and I'm only hoping my daughter (5) doesn't notice. Any ideas on what may have happened? I told her today the gourami was going to a good home where he'd be looked after properly and she got hysterical. Yikes!!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Is a 40 gallon huge? I could see my guys living the high life in one of those!! Ok, bad news.... All fish seemed well this morning but I came home this aft to find my poor dalmation molly looking dead and bumping into things. The gourami and danios kept swimming by and being a bit aggressive with him. Long and short of it is, he is dead and I'm only hoping my daughter (5) doesn't notice. Any ideas on what may have happened? I told her today the gourami was going to a good home where he'd be looked after properly and she got hysterical. Yikes!!

The 40 gallon I have looks rather large compared to the type of fish I have, yes. But I also have fish that dont get very big. I do have a hexagon. Its about 2 feet wide, and 3 feet tall. (rough estimate). I would not keep fish such as danios in it, but it seems to work very well for my swords and platys. I am sorry to hear about your dalmation molly

 

[coldcazzie]

It would be ok for the smaller fish probably, but not the gourami long term. Are you rehoming him? Is there a lfs that will take him and rehome him?

 

[Fintastic!]

Hi Guys, first off thanks for all your patience and help!!! I asked at the lfs today if they'd take the danios and gourami and the guy said he'd have to check and he took my number so hopefully I'll know soon. I'll have to tell my daughter the fish fairy took the gourami or something! I bought an airstone today, is that good to have? Checked the water again and the ph has dropped from 8 to 7.6 but the ammonia is still the same so I added more of the good bacteria. Also, can you guys recommend suitable plants? The lfs guy couldn't name one single plant they had in the store!!

 

[fluttermoth]

Tanks don't need airstones; as long as the filter makes the surface of the water ripple, that's adequate for oxygenation. Run it if you like the look of it; it won't do any harm.

If you have any reading at all for ammonia you should do a large water change; those bottled bacteria products are of no real use at all; the bacteria cannot stay alive without a food supply and a flow of water over them.

Good plants for beginners are; Java fern, vallis (although the twisted seems to be more delicate IME), cryptocorynes, Amazon swords, pygmy chain sword and some of the mosses; Java moss is easy but messy; xmas moss is nicer, plus the 'stem' plants that you buy in a bunch; cabomba, elodea and water wisteria (sometimes called Indian fern) are all good.

 

[Fintastic!]

Thanks a million Fluttermoth. I'll go elsewhere today and hopefully get some. They seem ok swimming in and out of the bubbles from the airstone but it's quite noisy so it might have to go if it's not beneficial. I'm sure you guys have enough of me by now but how often should I clean my filter sponges?

 

[the_lock_man]

Thanks a million Fluttermoth. I'll go elsewhere today and hopefully get some. They seem ok swimming in and out of the bubbles from the airstone but it's quite noisy so it might have to go if it's not beneficial. I'm sure you guys have enough of me by now but how often should I clean my filter sponges?

Only clean them when you notice that flow rate is reducing. Rinse them in old tank water (never tap water) and don't replace them until they're literally falling apart.

 

[laura120381]

hi fin...welcome to the forum!!

worry not!! it is easy to overstock when you are first starting out and also to pick a bad combination of fish!! hex tanks are especially deceiving as there appears to be a lot more room than there actually is giving a false impression of a huge stocking capacity!! we have all done it!! you go to your lfs and see a huge variety of pretty fish and think 'i want a combination of all of those!!' unfortunately, most lfs staff are not the greatest at advising on compatibility or stocking levels so you end up with too many and a tank full of unsuitable fish!!

i am not sure what you are going to do with regards to your current situation. i agree with everyone...either some have to go or you need to change your tank! maybe if the shop won't take the fish back, you could advertise sale of swap on gumtree or aquarist classified (not sure where you live). If you are thinking of changing your tank, as mentioned above, you need something bigger for danios and gourami. also, in my opinion, fish are happier in rectangular tanks as there is more swimming area (if you think about it most swim side to side rather than up and down!!). ok they are not as nice to look at as a hex but you can make them look good using plants and decs. take the advice given about group sizes and definitely check out that temp problem...way too hot!! don't worry about your cory...they are peculiar wee things that appear very lethargic...then they take a mad turn!! test your water twice a week at least until you deal with temp and stocking problems.

most of all, don't worry!! you have come to the right place!! the people on here give great advice!! i have kept fish for years but still came on here to get advice on my newest set up. just post any of your plans/ideas on here and i am sure we will all do our best to help.

good luck.

L.

 

[Fintastic!]

Thanks a gazillion guys!I brought the danios back today but they wouldn't take the gourami. So just to recap, I now have 1 gourami, 1 molly, 3 platys and 2 corys. I'll try another lfs tomorrow and see will they take the gourami.

 

[Mammabe1]

Ok, I've managed to measure the tank. It's a Clearseal, hex shape and it's 18.5 inches high and 55.5 inches around. The filter is a Fluval 2 plus. I have it filled up to 3 inches from the top. The only thing I can think to do is bring the danio's and gourami to the fish shop though hubby now wants to get another tank to accommodate them.

I thought we had another member with MTS(multi tank syndrome) . This is a very real disorder, and very contagious ! I say "Go For It!". Get a bigger tank and maybe another pink kisser to go along with the one you have. That's how I ended up with 8 aquariums. But seriously, a bigger tank is really easier to maintain and the fish seem so much happier. My husband isn't very happy, but I can't help it if he doesn't like fish.

Haha! That is so funny Colleen! I am one of those people you are referring too! Not quite as accomplished as you but I do have 4 tanks
on the go and my husband just doesn't see the glory in it!

B