Your current Fish tank Setups!
- Thread starter Malt_Vinegar
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Finally with my cycle complete I've gone about adding some fish. They didn't have any Shrimp at my local store so they will have to wait!
Had a fair bit of algee due to the light having been on a lot to help the plants. That will go though so not fussed. Put a small second piece of bogwood under the other to hold it up as it likes to slip. However I didn't soak it for long enough so everything looks slightly brown! Will fade with time.
6x Harlequin Rasbora
More pics:
http://imgur.com/a/mp3Xd
Had a fair bit of algee due to the light having been on a lot to help the plants. That will go though so not fussed. Put a small second piece of bogwood under the other to hold it up as it likes to slip. However I didn't soak it for long enough so everything looks slightly brown! Will fade with time.
6x Harlequin Rasbora
More pics:
http://imgur.com/a/mp3Xd
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Can someone in the know help, the "harlequin rasbora's" that dbmzk1 posted, are they definitely harlequins? I also bought 6 x harlequin rasbora's today from my LFS (first ever fish) and they don't really look the same. Not as reddy coloured and the black part isn't the same shape.
Edit: Just using google images, mine look like the results for harlequin rasbora where as the ones above look more like "lambchop rasbora"?
Edit: Just using google images, mine look like the results for harlequin rasbora where as the ones above look more like "lambchop rasbora"?
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And just to add a little more, here are my new fish which my LFS called harlequin rasboras:
Need some advice if possible - bought a tank (48L) kit, with heater, filter, lights etc etc. Then did everything we were told to do, setup with tap safe, left for 3 days - all good, temperature at 25 and stable
We then bought some harlequins (4 of them as that is what shop told us to start with) from the same shop
left in bag for 15 mins in tank etc, then gently introduced them to thier new home, kept light off for first night and didnt feed till morning (with recommended food), then today, 2 of them went a bit erratic, then lethargic, then died?? Their gills seemed to be going very fast and were swimming into things and at funny angles.
Now it seems like the other 2 are doing something similar now - any ideas?
We then bought some harlequins (4 of them as that is what shop told us to start with) from the same shop
left in bag for 15 mins in tank etc, then gently introduced them to thier new home, kept light off for first night and didnt feed till morning (with recommended food), then today, 2 of them went a bit erratic, then lethargic, then died?? Their gills seemed to be going very fast and were swimming into things and at funny angles.
Now it seems like the other 2 are doing something similar now - any ideas?
Don't put fish in after 3 days. You got bad advice. If only I had a pound for every time I heard something similar. I'd be considerable richer than I am now.
The tank needs to cycle so the bacteria in the filter get a chance to become established, which takes a lot longer than three days.
Honestly, probably not.
Try changing a third of the water out for fresh treated with water conditioner. When adding the conditioner give it a good mix and let it stand for five minutes. If you don't have one already, get a dedicated bucket for water changes. If you re-use one that's had household detergents in it, the residue may well poison the fish.
This might help : http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3099
Try changing a third of the water out for fresh treated with water conditioner. When adding the conditioner give it a good mix and let it stand for five minutes. If you don't have one already, get a dedicated bucket for water changes. If you re-use one that's had household detergents in it, the residue may well poison the fish.
This might help : http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3099
Last edited:
thanks for that, very ^&%&^% with the shop for giving me the advice
The 3rd fish is now swimming upside down so I think its too late for that one, hope the 4th one manages to stay alive! Got to find the 2 dead ones to take out - cant find one, its just disappeared!! If they all go should I start again or keep at it with this water?
The 3rd fish is now swimming upside down so I think its too late for that one, hope the 4th one manages to stay alive! Got to find the 2 dead ones to take out - cant find one, its just disappeared!! If they all go should I start again or keep at it with this water?
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I'm no expert (in fact only a newbie) but i've done quite a lot of reading getting ready to set my fish tank up. I think the general consensus would be to do a very large water change (90%+) to clear all the muck out and then do a fishless cycle for however long it takes. This way, the required bacteria to convert ammonia to nitrite and then nitrite to nitrate will build up so that when you add your fish the bacteria can start processing the fish waste immediately.
You will need to do internet searches for fishless cycling and read these as although it's not complicated, there is some thought required. You will need a thorough test kit too. I'd recommend a liquid based master kit as opposed to paper strip kits as they're generally more reliable.
This is assuming all your harlequins are now dead?
() Otherwise you would probably be best to find them a new home.
You will need to do internet searches for fishless cycling and read these as although it's not complicated, there is some thought required. You will need a thorough test kit too. I'd recommend a liquid based master kit as opposed to paper strip kits as they're generally more reliable.
This is assuming all your harlequins are now dead?
() Otherwise you would probably be best to find them a new home.yep, they are all gone now, I'm off to an aquarium to get the water tested, buy a test kit and start again - glad I dont have kids and its only the Mrs who has seen them go!!!
Start again, ignore shops advice, bought a book and now time to do what the book/internet says is best this time!
Start again, ignore shops advice, bought a book and now time to do what the book/internet says is best this time!
just started one myself before xmas, i had the tank cycle for 2 weeks before fish, then only 4 fish. two weeks later another 6 fish, 2 weeks later, another 8 fish.
only thing i got wrong, was the amount of water additive to make tap water safe, the girl in the shop told me 'just a couple of drops' it in fact needed 10 ml per 40L.
i lost two mollies a snail and a little shark to Ich, now had the tank on half water change and Ich treatment, the fish seem much less stressed. after treatment im gonna replace the ones i lost.
the tank was looking great just before the losses.
for the record:
Flavel 90 Litre, start up tank with filter and heater supplied.
only thing i got wrong, was the amount of water additive to make tap water safe, the girl in the shop told me 'just a couple of drops' it in fact needed 10 ml per 40L.
i lost two mollies a snail and a little shark to Ich, now had the tank on half water change and Ich treatment, the fish seem much less stressed. after treatment im gonna replace the ones i lost.
the tank was looking great just before the losses.
for the record:
Flavel 90 Litre, start up tank with filter and heater supplied.
This is my first marine tank (30 litre Dennerle Marinus) with 2 common clownfish, a cleaner shrimp, 2 turbo snails & 5 hermit crabs. The tank has been fully stocked for almost 2 months without any issues, but I will need to upgrade within the next year to at least a 60 litre as the clowns will outgrow the tank. I had not originally planned to have them when I ordered it as the wife was complaining that I was getting another tank (already have a cold water & tropical) so I went for a small one to see how I got on & then as soon as we went the LFS to get some corals & fish (after cycling for about 4 weeks) she anounced that we should have got a bigger tank as we couldnt fit enough it the one I got 
(though my wallet was thankful after the cost of stocking this).
I do a 10% water change twice a week & feed flake in the morning & frozen mysis shrimp in the evening. The clowns have finally established which one is in charge & are starting to make a home in the yellow leather.
Close up of clownfish:
(though my wallet was thankful after the cost of stocking this). I do a 10% water change twice a week & feed flake in the morning & frozen mysis shrimp in the evening. The clowns have finally established which one is in charge & are starting to make a home in the yellow leather.
Close up of clownfish:
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Hey guys, really interested in setting up a small tank when I get my new "play room" finished lol.
Really liked the larger fluvals (did like the edge but looks really small in person) and some of the smaller BioOrbs. I've had a look in the local garden centres and pets at home and don't want just plain old goldfish lol. With a smaller tank whats going to be easiest/best for a new starter to all of this, well bar some goldfish int he pond lol.
Is a Tropical tank just a warm water tank? How much do these cost to run on average?
A friend has told me not to bother with a marine tank as they can be a lot of work?
I see pets at home do pretreated water by the litre, is this worth using?
TIA
Really liked the larger fluvals (did like the edge but looks really small in person) and some of the smaller BioOrbs. I've had a look in the local garden centres and pets at home and don't want just plain old goldfish lol. With a smaller tank whats going to be easiest/best for a new starter to all of this, well bar some goldfish int he pond lol.
Is a Tropical tank just a warm water tank? How much do these cost to run on average?
A friend has told me not to bother with a marine tank as they can be a lot of work?
I see pets at home do pretreated water by the litre, is this worth using?
TIA
Buy the largest tank you can accommodate, it will make life easier in the long run when it comes to maintaining water quality.
Your pretty much spot on with the difference of a tropical tank. It would require a heater and it's only pennies a day to run.
As for marine it's not something to dabble with unless you know what your doing. It can be very expensive, but if done right stunning.
Oh and goldfish need big tanks
Don't get a goldfish. As gitbags said they need a very big tank. We made the mistake of getting a gold fish 5 years ago & it has so far outgrown 2 tanks & is currently in a 4.5 foot 300 litre tank which it is looking like it will outgrow as well. Unfortunately shops tell you that they will be fine in a little 50-60 litre tank which is a load of rubbish.