Washing Filters/feeding Confused!

[suzee]

Hi I'm new to fish keeping and would appreciate sone advice/thoughts on what I'm doing.

Set up tank 2 wks ago. Tank is an Aqua One AR980, quite big, 215 ltrs.

I got 6 x zebra danios and 2 x sunset platys yesterday.

So far have followed advice from shop/book, but bit worried as some advice is diffferent from here (you guys seem to know your stuff!!).

According to book platys should be at cooler temp than danios, so is tank too hot, its at 24oC, for platys? They seem to hide a lot.

Also how often to feed them, store said once every 2 days, book says 2-3 times daily!!

I've been reading lots on here about NOT washing filters in tap water as this destroys the bacteria. Should I use bottled water?

Any advice on what to so next, what fish etc.

Thanks very much,

Suzee

 

[ox5477]

OK... where to start:

I take your using the danios and platys to cycle? I personally don't like a fish type cycle and prefer the Fishless Cycling as this method does not put any fish through the rapidly changing and extreme environment that exists during cycling. But this still should get the job done.

All tropical freshwater fish will do just fine in temps from 75 to 80F (24 to 26.5C) despite what a information source may say. This may be an indication of their natural habitats mean temperature but the temp above is known to be fine for most all tropicals.

I would say a medium sized feeding everyday would be fine. 2-3 times a day theory comes from the fact that they are grazers in the wild and would prob be rooting around looking for food all day long unlike more predatory piscavores who may only eat once every 2 to 5 days in the wild. But, once a day is good and only put in a enough that they can eat within 2 to 5 minutes (kind of large range, but some fish naturally eat quicker than others so I say 2 to 5 minutes). You will get to know your fish and their eating habits.

Its never good to wash established filter media. If it becomes so dirty and clogged to the points of impeding flow then the best thing to do it fill a clean bucket (never been used for chemicals or soaps) with some of the tank water, and then swirl the media in the bucket to remove some of the gunk. The majority of the bacteria should easily stay attached to the media and you will have removed as much of the grime as possible without taking the bacteria too.

Hope these answers help with your questions Suzee

 

[suzee]

Thank you for your reply.

From what I have read on here about cycling etc. I think I would have preferred a fish less cycle and am now very worried (and feel quite guilty) about my wee fish.

I will feed them a medium feed once a day, thanks for the advice on temp too, its reassuring to know.

Thanks again

Suzee

 

[ox5477]

Dont feel too bad about the fish. The danios and platys are pretty hardy so they should make it through the cycling process as long as you watch the water parms everyday to make sure they dont get out of control.

And you should feel good because who knows, your guys could of been bought by someone who doesnt care enough to ask about their well being and would be lucky to see the end of the year, or even could end up never being bought and die within the year in the lfs. They are lucky someone such as yourself has given them a home and hopefully they will live their full lives thanks to you