New to this, need some advice, criticism

Kalavek · 11-20-2008, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FroggyFox

As long as you have a filter on the tank, the air pump does not need to run at all and neither does the light. Your fish don't actually need light

Although its difficult to enjoy a dark tank so I usually turn the lights on during the day and off at night. The lights do matter if you have plants.

Hmmm, having a filter means no bubbles needed? Is this assuming the return water is breaking the surface and pulling air down into the water?

Lights - perhaps they don't need lights to survive, but won't they be happier and healthier with a light on a timer? If not, won't you be happier being able to see them? Just my own opinion, but if I were to run a tank without lighting, I would at least put the tank in a place that gets some light from outside.

Is anyone here a licensed fish psychologist, by chance?

FroggyFox · 11-20-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalavek

Hmmm, having a filter means no bubbles needed? Is this assuming the return water is breaking the surface and pulling air down into the water?

Yes. If someone was running a traditional undergravel filter using airstones for water movement then an air pump would need to be running. Other than that technically nothing would HAVE to happen. Generally though just the output water of a filter breaking the surface is plenty. In planted tanks that have c02 injected into the water, less surface agitation is better. There is a normal gas exchange rate, so there is still oxygen in water with no surface agitation. In some cases (like when the temperature is really high) we want to increase the surface agitation (not movement, but the amount of times that the surface of the water is broken) to increase the oxygen in the water so we turn on bubbles or lower our water levels so that the output breaks the surface more. Some people just like having bubbles because they like the way they look. But in most cases they are not necessary...so if the sound of the pump is driving you crazy...turn it off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalavek

Lights - perhaps they don't need lights to survive, but won't they be happier and healthier with a light on a timer? If not, won't you be happier being able to see them? Just my own opinion, but if I were to run a tank without lighting, I would at least put the tank in a place that gets some light from outside.

Thats why I said its difficult to enjoy a tank w/o lights, but they do not NEED the light on the tank to survive. My parents keep their pondfish in a big tub in their garage boiler room over the winter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalavek

Is anyone here a licensed fish psychologist, by chance?

Not that I know of...

Pretty sure a fish's 'happiness' is something that we project on to them. Their health is all we can really go by.

brian1973 · 11-20-2008, 08:18 PM

The only thing I can add is that as Mister coffee said..Pleco's are tropical, goldfish coldwater..so 70 degree temps really isnt ideal.

Welcome to the tank.

mistercoffee · 11-20-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian1973

The only thing I can add is that as Mister coffee said..Pleco's are tropical, goldfish coldwater..so 70 degree temps really isnt ideal.

Welcome to the tank.

damn right address me as Mister!

brian1973 · 11-20-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercoffee

damn right address me as Mister!

do u have to derail another thread... MISSEScoffee...lol

mistercoffee · 11-20-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian1973

do u have to derail another thread... MISSEScoffee...lol

So, um, fish?

Kalavek · 11-21-2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistercoffee

So, um, fish?

Well, so much for first impressions!

But welcome, Lady V. I recommend a second tank, to separate your coldwater fish from your tropical fish.

Actually, everyone here recommends a second tank. And a third. After that you'll get yourself in more trouble than we can get you into ourselves.

This is all assuming you have not run off after your second post. Are you still there?

LadyViolet · 11-23-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalavek

Well, so much for first impressions!

But welcome, Lady V. I recommend a second tank, to separate your coldwater fish from your tropical fish.

Actually, everyone here recommends a second tank. And a third. After that you'll get yourself in more trouble than we can get you into ourselves.

This is all assuming you have not run off after your second post. Are you still there?

LOL. Yeah, I'm still here, you didn't scare me off!

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone that's dropped by to give me some advice or just to 'introduce' themselves. Couldn't believe I'd gotten so many replies to my first post! And sorry I've MIA. My husband and I were sick this week and I was really in no mood to get on the computer.
I really appreciate everyone's advice and will take it all into consideration. Right now I'm trying to deal with high nitrites. I guess my tank was cycling and I didn't notice. I thought I had enough good bacteria in there. Anyways, I did a couple of large water changes, vacuumed, and added this product that reduces nitrite (which worked!) and my fish seem to be doing better. The goldfish doesn't look listless anymore. Unfortunately while the nitrite was high (like, 24hrs or so) what looks like a fungal infection broke out in the tank. The goldfish lost a small part of his tail and it's partly frayed now, and the pleco had a thin layer of fluffy, spotted, web-like 'mucus' on him. I used an anti-fungal medication and it cleared up pretty quick but I'm gonna keep using it for a couple days to make sure I get all of it.
If anyone knows if this could be something other than a fungus let me know! I really appreciate everyone's helpful input!

Kalavek · 11-24-2008, 05:19 PM

You didn't mention the names of the products you are using to "reduce" the nitrite, or the medication you used for what is assumed to be a fungus. You will find a lot of people are very resistant to the use of chemicals or medications for a variety of reasons. Frequent water changes (daily if needed) are usually recommended over anything that claims to control chemical levels, with very few exceptions.

One thing I don't believe has been mentioned in this thread is the product Prime - which I personally hope you are using to dechlorinate the water you're putting in your tank.

At any rate the best advice I can offer is countless hours of research - Google can be your best friend in regards to this. Any time you spot a product that claims to fix or control something, you should look through as many forums and websites as you can looking for warnings or recommendations. Find out when you should use it, and when you should not.

Most of the products on the shelf today have been put through the wringer already, and the results can often be found with a few good keyword searches - if there isn't a majority in favor of a product, or it seems like nobody can decide if it is good or bad, then proceed with caution.

LadyViolet · 11-24-2008, 08:25 PM

What a coincidence. The product I used to help reduce nitrites and dechlorinate my water is Prime. And I don't substitute 'using product' for water changes.

As far as the fungal infection goes, I used RidGungus by Kordon. I didn't really research it so I'm not sure what's the reviews are on it, but the 'fungus' has cleared up, whether it's the product or just the better water quality, I don't really care! I'm just happy they seem to be doing better.

11-20-2008, 08:18 PM	#13
brian1973 Super Fish Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 1,879	The only thing I can add is that as Mister coffee said..Pleco's are tropical, goldfish coldwater..so 70 degree temps really isnt ideal. Welcome to the tank. __________________ http://www.nanfa.org/ Hi my name is Brian I suffer from MTS, please be aware it is very contagious.

11-24-2008, 05:19 PM	#19
Kalavek Little Fish Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 169	You didn't mention the names of the products you are using to "reduce" the nitrite, or the medication you used for what is assumed to be a fungus. You will find a lot of people are very resistant to the use of chemicals or medications for a variety of reasons. Frequent water changes (daily if needed) are usually recommended over anything that claims to control chemical levels, with very few exceptions. One thing I don't believe has been mentioned in this thread is the product Prime - which I personally hope you are using to dechlorinate the water you're putting in your tank. At any rate the best advice I can offer is countless hours of research - Google can be your best friend in regards to this. Any time you spot a product that claims to fix or control something, you should look through as many forums and websites as you can looking for warnings or recommendations. Find out when you should use it, and when you should not. Most of the products on the shelf today have been put through the wringer already, and the results can often be found with a few good keyword searches - if there isn't a majority in favor of a product, or it seems like nobody can decide if it is good or bad, then proceed with caution. __________________ 45g: Severely Understocked with 7 Zebra Danios, 1 Gold Spot Pleco 25g: Emptied for silicone replacement

11-24-2008, 08:25 PM	#20
LadyViolet Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: TN Posts: 4	What a coincidence. The product I used to help reduce nitrites and dechlorinate my water is Prime. And I don't substitute 'using product' for water changes. As far as the fungal infection goes, I used RidGungus by Kordon. I didn't really research it so I'm not sure what's the reviews are on it, but the 'fungus' has cleared up, whether it's the product or just the better water quality, I don't really care! I'm just happy they seem to be doing better.