Starting from scratch

[Da_Oz]

Ok best thing is when done what ever acclimating process you do. Is don't dump the fish in the tank. Net them out of the bag. A little baddness (what ever sickness) on the fish is one thing. But a bag full of water that you have no idea where it came from is not good.

On a side note this would be a good informative post if there wasn't so much bs on it. When did pointing fingers and calling names start help keeping fish I must have missed this break threw in fishkeeping.

 

[David]

Ok best thing is when done what ever acclimating process you do. Is don't dump the fish in the tank. Net them out of the bag. A little baddness (what ever sickness) on the fish is one thing. But a bag full of water that you have no idea where it came from is not good.

On a side note this would be a good informative post if there wasn't so much bs on it. When did pointing fingers and calling names start help keeping fish I must have missed this break threw in fishkeeping.

I net the fish too I don't dump the water into the tank.

 

[gaya]

Ok best thing is when done what ever acclimating process you do. Is don't dump the fish in the tank. Net them out of the bag. A little baddness (what ever sickness) on the fish is one thing. But a bag full of water that you have no idea where it came from is not good.

On a side note this would be a good informative post if there wasn't so much bs on it. When did pointing fingers and calling names start help keeping fish I must have missed this break threw in fishkeeping.

That reminds me! It would be wise to keep a separate bucket just for this purpose. empty the bag into the bucket and then net the fish out. I, like a moron, tried to net the fish out of the bag itself and ended up dropping the fish...one more fish death I forgot about

 

[canarsie11]

Ok best thing is when done what ever acclimating process you do. Is don't dump the fish in the tank. Net them out of the bag. A little baddness (what ever sickness) on the fish is one thing. But a bag full of water that you have no idea where it came from is not good.

On a side note this would be a good informative post if there wasn't so much bs on it. When did pointing fingers and calling names start help keeping fish I must have missed this break threw in fishkeeping.

That reminds me! It would be wise to keep a separate bucket just for this purpose. empty the bag into the bucket and then net the fish out. I, like a moron, tried to net the fish out of the bag itself and ended up dropping the fish...one more fish death I forgot about

I actually net fish out of plastic bag myself

 

[gaya]

I'm an all around clutz anyway.

 

[Da_Oz]

Also I am not saying it is imposable to have sick free fish. But the biggest stress on fish is temp swings, peacking from other fish, no hiding places, and poor water. And also some fish are just prone to get sick. Live plants and good cleaning can really help with fish health, I am not perfect and long from a pro but I have not had a sick fish in over a year. It has alot to do with what you don't do. Like I always say Fishkeeping is easy we make it hard.

 

[David]

I net 'em outta the bag too. I guess the bags we get are a bit bigger. Anyway, with regards to the sick thing it's always the first coupel of months that are the hardest, when you are adding new fish and getting them acclimated, cycling the tank, getting it settled and so forth. Some people are just lucky (or very very good) and don't lose any fish at all and some lose a lot. It has to do with a variety of circumstances, and it can't always be the fishkeeper's fault.

 

[David]

But seriously all I'm asking about here is my fish selection. What do you guys thik about it?

 

[David]

Today I will give the tank a full water change and thorough scrub. Fish will be going back in afterwards. I will have to call LFS to see if they will take back fish. These are my finalized plans.

1. Worst case scenario (if LFS refuses to take back fish)

Fish that I currently have, with the exception of my betta who is getting his own tank-

1 discus
2 platies
1 clown loach

5 zebra danios
9 tiger barbs
1 rainbow shark
4 cories

One question. If tiger barbs are kept in a group of nine will they still molest the discus?

2. If LFS does accept fish

6 zebra danios
4 platies (2 I already have)
12 tiger barbs
1 rainbow shark
3 peppered cories

Any flaws?

 

[David]

have started process of removing water from tank. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Melfice]

None that I see. Good Luck David

 

[David]

Thank you.

 

[David]

Update. OH MY GOD. Started water change at 5:30, finished at 8:00. I completely removed all fish all water and all plants, rinsed the gravel and took out all crap, washed filter (not media), and redid whole aquascape. Tank looks great now, fish look even better. Damn that little clown loach was tough to catch. First of all he refused to come out of his log. I had to take out the log and physically pull him out of one of the holes by his tail. and then catch him with a net, because I dropped him, and for those of you who have loaches you know what a pain in the a** that can be, even in 4 inches of water. They shoot around so fast it's like lightning. Anyway, then came the water change. All I can say is:

46 gallon tank + flight of stairs - python = the hardest, most tedious, tiring and boring thing you have ever done.

I'm bushed, but overall it's rewarding because the fish are looking very happy and invigorated by the fresh water, especially the discus. I'm finding it harder and harder to get used to the idea of getting rid of them, I may just keep them and go with option 2 . Anyway phase 1 of my plan is complete. Wish me luck in the future. This weekend I will probably return the clown loach and discus if possible and buy the danios. (And the 2 gallon for Charlie). I am wondering though. If, since tiger barbs are definitely a must for this new setup, would they get along ok with Charlie if they are in a large group (10-12)? If so I don't really need to get a new tank for him and I'm sure he'd be happier in the big one anyway.

 

[Rose]

That looks like a good plan David. However there is one minor thing you should think about. That would be your clown loach. CLown Loaches are very very social fish. You will need to get atleast 2 more for him to be happy. Just something to think about.

Rose

 

[David]

Yeah yeah I know. I had 3, 2 died. I bought 2 more, and they died. This little one stuck it out all the way through, and I can't really bear to get any more yet until my tank is well established only to see them all pass away. Since this one seems so determined to survive, why not let him. I really love him and want him to be happy. He's the most stubborn little fish I've ever had.