Newbie With New Tank!

[Pokeguyjai]

Hello everyone,

I just got my first tank! I've decided to go brackish because I really like the Columbian Shark. I hope to get 3-4 of them

Anyway, I don't have any fish in the tank. The tank is full with water (36gallon tank) and has gravel and a bio wheel filter.

My problem:

I was reading up here on some information and thanks to nmonks Brack Calc 4 I found out that my current SG is only 1.0005. (I added about .75 pounds of Oceanic Natural Sea Salt Mix - I was told to do this by the person who helped me get started at the fish store - and according to the program, I need another 1.8 pounds of this stuff... does that sound right?)

My question:

Since I have no fish in the tank, I'm guessing that the cycling process has yet to begin. Which means that there are no good bacteria in the filter/water? So is it OK for me to throw in 1.8 additional pounds of sea salt into the tank before I acclimate my 3-4 Columbian sharks tomorrow?

Please advise: I have a BIO-WHEEL filter made by Marineland. They have the "activated" carbon filter (chemical filter?) and then theres the wheel thing that spins.

Thanks everyone for time!,
Eric

 

[Lhutch]

you could put the colombian sharks in a 38 for about a few months they get big, and they need alot of room, i would nix the columbian sharks and go with some kind of gobies if you like the bottom dwellers

 

[Pokeguyjai]

you could put the colombian sharks in a 38 for about a few months they get big, and they need alot of room, i would nix the columbian sharks and go with some kind of gobies if you like the bottom dwellers

I'm planning to get a new tank when they grow out of it. 60-75 gallon tank.

 

[andywg]

I'm planning to get a new tank when they grow out of it. 60-75 gallon tank.

Even that will not be big enough for adult shark catfish. They need to be in groups of at least 3 and are very active swimmers. 100 gallons is the minimum to be looking at, but you really want a larger tank than this if at all possible.

 

[kanzaris]

you could put the colombian sharks in a 38 for about a few months they get big, and they need alot of room, i would nix the columbian sharks and go with some kind of gobies if you like the bottom dwellers

I'm planning to get a new tank when they grow out of it. 60-75 gallon tank.

Hi

I totally agree with Andywg.
I started my Columbian Sharks in a 75 gal within 18 month they grew from 2 inch to 10 inch, the biggest being 13 inch now. I have got 4 of them now and they are in a 6 1/2 x2x2 tank.

Sorry I can't realy help you regarding your salt Question, but I am sure sombody on here will point you in the right direction

Sabby

 

[Pokeguyjai]

you could put the colombian sharks in a 38 for about a few months they get big, and they need alot of room, i would nix the columbian sharks and go with some kind of gobies if you like the bottom dwellers

I'm planning to get a new tank when they grow out of it. 60-75 gallon tank.

Hi

I totally agree with Andywg.
I started my Columbian Sharks in a 75 gal within 18 month they grew from 2 inch to 10 inch, the biggest being 13 inch now. I have got 4 of them now and they are in a 6 1/2 x2x2 tank.

Sorry I can't realy help you regarding your salt Question, but I am sure sombody on here will point you in the right direction

Sabby

Then 100 gallon tank it is! I chose a 36 gallon tank because I didn't want to be in over my head. But this is way too fun to stop!

Just to give you guys an update on my situation and on the post:

I got the 4 Columbian sharks today. I asked the sales clerk (great guys, answered all of my questions thoroughly and were all very patient) about adding the salt before the cycling process starts. He said it was fine as long as I mixed well and allowed the system to sit for an hour or two just in case.

I acclimated the 4 sharks via the drip method for 5 hours (the store put them in salt water conditions, not brackish) and I gave them a few flakes. I have this tiny one that is getting bullied around a little but I think he/she'll be alright.

Currently they're swimming around like madmen..err...fishes

Thanks everyone for recommending me the larger tank size! Great heads up!

Wish me luck!,
Eric

 

[el_vulture619]

You added the fish and the tank hasnt cycled yet??!! I know your new but you should have read a little more. Your going to get an amonia spike in your tank and now those sharks you have will be forced to try and servive through it! Be ready for water changes. You should have let the tank cycle for a month with a rotting cocktail shrimp or something to jump start the ammonia cycle.

I recomend you get some Cycle brand bacteria solution to help those fish, FAST! Also you should get a hydrometer, even Nmonks will tell you that as that salt sits it will absorb moisture and the weighing method wont work very well. A simple glass one is what I use.

Just wanted to let you know since your LFS didnt, welcome to the hobbie!

 

[kanzaris]

Hi Again

I have read your first post and yesterday you ask: Since I have no fish in the tank, I'm guessing that the cycling process has yet to begin. Which means that there are no good bacteria in the filter/water. So surely you must have known that you cant put fish in that tank the next day?
The way it sounds is that the store should not have sold you the fish in the first place, as they obviously knew by talking to you that your tank has just started to cycle. If I would be you I bring the fish back to the shop until it’s cycled, or at least get some Cycle brand bacteria like vulture619 recommended.
What do you mean by (the store put them in salt water conditions, not brackish) ?

PS Have you seen your Cat Sharks eat the Flake?? They feed on frozen bloodworm, brine Shrimp, cockles, mussels, prawns, frozen lance fish etc. (if food is frozen I recommend to defrost it first before putting it into the tank)

Best of luck

Sabby

 

[Pokeguyjai]

You added the fish and the tank hasnt cycled yet??!! I know your new but you should have read a little more. Your going to get an amonia spike in your tank and now those sharks you have will be forced to try and servive through it! Be ready for water changes. You should have let the tank cycle for a month with a rotting cocktail shrimp or something to jump start the ammonia cycle.

I recomend you get some Cycle brand bacteria solution to help those fish, FAST! Also you should get a hydrometer, even Nmonks will tell you that as that salt sits it will absorb moisture and the weighing method wont work very well. A simple glass one is what I use.

Just wanted to let you know since your LFS didnt, welcome to the hobbie!

I was told by my LFS that the Columbian Sharks would be an OK fish to cycle with? And I am looking to keep them for the long run.

I got a hydrometer yesterday (before I got the fish, I got the SG to 1.007).

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Pokeguyjai]

Hi Again

I have read your first post and yesterday you ask: Since I have no fish in the tank, I'm guessing that the cycling process has yet to begin. Which means that there are no good bacteria in the filter/water. So surely you must have known that you cant put fish in that tank the next day?

No, my logic was that you needed fish in the tank in order for the cycling process to begin.

The way it sounds is that the store should not have sold you the fish in the first place, as they obviously knew by talking to you that your tank has just started to cycle. If I would be you I bring the fish back to the shop until it’s cycled, or at least get some Cycle brand bacteria like vulture619 recommended.

Will do.

What do you mean by (the store put them in salt water conditions, not brackish) ?

The LFS had them in a salt water environment. SG of about 1.02 I believe.

PS Have you seen your Cat Sharks eat the Flake?? They feed on frozen bloodworm, brine Shrimp, cockles, mussels, prawns, frozen lance fish etc. (if food is frozen I recommend to defrost it first before putting it into the tank)

Best of luck

Sabby

My Columbian Sharks are loving it. They're go into a little frenzy every time I drop a little bit into the tank. I also have frozen blood worms and frozen brine shrimp, but I am refraining from adding that into the tank because of the sensitive nature of the tank at the moment due to my idiocy.

Thanks Sabby for your time and help!,
Eric

 

[kanzaris]

Hi

You can use certain fish for cycling (I think Mollies not to sure exactly) but I know for sure it’s not Cat Sharks. Maybe someone on here can tell you what fish to use, or post the question in the new to hobby section.
Keep us updated how you go!!!

Sabby