Some Simple But Relevant Questions.

[crunch7]

Guys the filter is completely new. its a power filter .Thank god I found a friend online today and I have returned the gouramis and now the no. of occupants have reduced to 6. See the tank is completely new. I have brought all this stuff today.

The filter is a hang on side power filter. There are mechanical, chemical and bio layers in it. However as acknowledged the beneficial bacteria will take atleast three weeks to build.

Q1. So I have resorted to making more frequent water changes. Now I need your suggestion in exactly how frequent should i change the water and by how much ?.

Q2. Also when the water comes out of the power filter is it supposed to create a current(increase the water level) or cause bubbles(lower the water level) ?

Q3. should i have added the snails or not ? what are the merits and demerits of having two snails ?

Q4. I had put two dried basil plant stems just to give the fish better enviroment. But i found some skins floating in the water after some time. SO i have removed them. They looked magnificent though. Is there any method to treat them so that they become usable ?

 

[fishyfeet]

Guys the filter is completely new. its a power filter .Thank god I found a friend online today and I have returned the gouramis and now the no. of occupants have reduced to 6. See the tank is completely new. I have brought all this stuff today.

The filter is a hang on side power filter. There are mechanical, chemical and bio layers in it. However as acknowledged the beneficial bacteria will take atleast three weeks to build.

Q1. So I have resorted to making more frequent water changes. Now I need your suggestion in exactly how frequent should i change the water and by how much ?.

you need to change i would say 30% a day, you may wish to get an ammonia test to keep levels down

Q2. Also when the water comes out of the power filter is it supposed to create a current(increase the water level) or cause bubbles(lower the water level) ? the filter should cause water movement at the surface, dont think bubbles add oxygen they dont

Q3. should i have added the snails or not ? what are the merits and demerits of having two snails ?

depends on what snails, ive found out a snail is not just a snail, some snails reproduce rapidly with the need to mate, other need partners etc you could end up with hundreds so i would say not

Q4. I had put two dried basil plant stems just to give the fish better enviroment. But i found some skins floating in the water after some time. SO i have removed them. They looked magnificent though. Is there any method to treat them so that they become usable ?


ive never put basil in a tank and am not sure its good for fish, so i cant help you with that one, di

 

[crunch7]

HEy thanks mate. First of all Basil is a non aquatic plant. Now Ia m not planning to have a plant. I had a dried up stem, really thin i intend to use it for ornamental purpose only. there are no leafs of anything only raw stem like 15 cms long say. THe question remains will the dry stems still rot ?

 

[fishyfeet]

HEy thanks mate. First of all Basil is a non aquatic plant. Now Ia m not planning to have a plant. I had a dried up stem, really thin i intend to use it for ornamental purpose only. there are no leafs of anything only raw stem like 15 cms long say. THe question remains will the dry stems still rot ?

yes of course they will and prob cause ammonia, di

 

[crunch7]

http/img835.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=20111010001617574.jpg

check the pics .

 

[fishyfeet]

you need some plants, see my tank in my signature,

 

[Jenste]

Besides really needing to change your stocking - - you need to change where you have your tank - - The sides of your tank should never over hang the table you have them on. Make sure you have them on a table that is rated for the weight of your tank - - each gallon is about 8.5 pounds - do the math! that is quite heavy and more than little end tables are made to hold.

 

[Jenste]

Besides really needing to change your stocking - - you need to change where you have your tank - - The sides of your tank should never over hang the table you have them on. Make sure you have them on a table that is rated for the weight of your tank - - each gallon is about 8.5 pounds - do the math! that is quite heavy and more than little end tables are made to hold.

 

[the_lock_man]

Hey Crunch.

TO answer your questions

1) If you don't have a test kit to know how much water to change, then do at least 50% daily. If you have a test kit, change enough water to get the ammonia and nitrite levels below 0.25ppm at all times.
2) Use the filter outlet to create a current - but it won't change the water level significantly.
3) Snails are nice, if managed properly. However if one dies, it gives out a HUGE amount of ammonia.
4) Wouldn't have thought it was a sensible thing to do, to be honest. You can't beat proper aquatic plants.

 

[crunch7]

Besides really needing to change your stocking - - you need to change where you have your tank - - The sides of your tank should never over hang the table you have them on. Make sure you have them on a table that is rated for the weight of your tank - - each gallon is about 8.5 pounds - do the math! that is quite heavy and more than little end tables are made to hold.

Hey that was great advice I had readily put it on two such tables after reading your reply. Also the sharks will be not there after sunday. I hope the snails and the pleco will be enough to run my fish in cycle. I also added 4 arizonas and plan to add some bogwood and some plants flutter suggested.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

crunch7... still you refuse to take peoples' advice for a 'fishless' cycle, if you are able to re-home your sharks, then why not re-home the rest of your fish and complete a FULL fishless cycle? You have gone through the heartbreak and misery of losing fish already, i fail to understand why you would want to continue to do so...

Terry.

 

[nigsy]

As Taffy Apple says. Re-home!!

You do not have an aquarium you have a prison!! Your tank is way to bare and poor choice of stocking, but we all make mistakes at first.

Follow the advice and remove all your fish and do a fishless cycle. Use the time (could be 6 weeks) to plant and 'Landscape' the aquarium and select and research the kind of fish you can get in your tank successfully. Your current setup will only frustrate.

 

[crunch7]

ok , but i don`t have any water test kit available anywhere here . And now only the snails and the pleco will remain . What about that ?

 

[HayzH]

ok , but i don`t have any water test kit available anywhere here . And now only the snails and the pleco will remain . What about that ?

test kits are readily avalible over the internet.