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Aquaboy on Thursday, November 11th, 2010 |
2 Comments
a medium sized rock that looks kinda big for planting plants , should i change it to the black small rocks ? most ppl use it for planted aquarium because it looks nice and suits the environment. And is any should i add soil ( if i can find ) or should I not because its a running aquarium not new
By
Aquaboy on Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 |
4 Comments
Hello!
In the past, I tried taking care of a Betta I had been given as a gift. I was given a tiny (1/2 gallon) bowl to keep him in, along with a polyester plant and some gravel. Over time, as he got sicker and sicker, I read up more on Bettas (I didn’t do research beforehand because I didn’t realize I would be given this fish) and started buying more and more equipment. Unfortunately, I did all this for my Betta too late to save his life.
I’m planning on getting another fish, but this time around, I’m determined to get everything ready for Mr. Future Fish beforehand.
Here’s what I already own:
- A 2 or 2.5 gallon bowl (I understand that some people say this is too small for a Betta. Others say that 1 gallon is the minimum size. I feel very strongly about keeping this size bowl, since I simply don’t have enough space for a larger bowl or tank.)
- A Theo Hydor adjustable mini heater. (I used this for a few weeks with my first Betta, constantly checking with a reliable thermometer that it kept the bowl at a good temperature. I’m very happy with it.)
- Gravel
- One silk plant (I have two polyester plants as well, but I am concerned that they snagged my first Betta’s fins.)
- Water Conditioner
- A BiOrb Cleaner Pump (This was so awkward to use. Does anyone have a better suggestion?)
- TetraBetta Floating Mini Pellets (My first Betta hated these–he’d refuse to eat them, just spitting them out. Any better suggestions?)
- Freeze dried bloodworms (My first Betta gobbled these up like candy, though I hear they’re not a wholesome diet.)
I am planning on getting a water test kit — http://amzn.com/B000255NCI.
I want to get a filter for Mr. Future Fish. It needs to be small, quiet, and low-flow, since he likes still water. Do you have any recommendations? Is this one–TOM Aquarium Mini Internal Filter 45gph adjustable flow (http://amzn.com/B00176GKM8)–okay? Are there any better?
Also, do I have to use gravel? The first time around, it just trapped random debris, and was so hard to clean. I did full water changes, though I’m not sure if that was a good thing.
Thank you so much! Mr. Future Fish and I are so grateful!
By
Aquaboy on Monday, October 4th, 2010 |
2 Comments
Question by freshbliss: Cycling with “borrowed gravel”?
I’m gonna get a 5 gallon hex tank tommarrow because they are on sale for super-cheap….
So if I use some gravel from another aquarium, how much do I use? How long should I expect it to take?
I broke down a tank a week ago….decided that I didnt want one….and of course, changed my mind.
So I’m using gravel from a buddies tank. I was thinking maybe a cup?!?!?
Also, I’m going to get live plants….so I figure they will have some good bacteria?
Best answer:
Answer by copperhead
There are no “exact” numbers to this. But the more you use, the faster the cycle will be finished. Also, raise the temperature, since warmer water allows the bacteria to reproduce faster.
If you don’t want to keep the other gravel for your tank, you can put it in an old stocking and keep it in the filter, or at least where the water from the filter return flows over it.
And don’t forget to add some ammonia or fish food so the bacteria have a source of food!
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
By
Aquaboy on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 |
4 Comments
I have neon colored gravel, and would like to change it to black gravel with a handful of neon so my orange platy stick out and look better. I also want to clean algea off the tank, decorations, and fake plants. I only have a bowl to put my fish in well I clean the tank, not a full extra tank, so I don’t have time to re-cycle it. How do I change the gravel and clean the algea without having my fish go into shock?
By
Aquaboy on Saturday, September 18th, 2010 |
4 Comments
STILL cycling…. feels like the levels will never level out, but they are getting there…
Anyway, decided I really want some cory cats when the cycling is done and ive already got black aquarium gravel in my 30 gal, I know corydoras like digging in sand, so I was wondering how bad of an idea it would be to create areas in my tank with sand in it? Still thinking about how i would pull it off, maybe using some sort of separator to keep the sand somewhat out of the gravel…
Are corydoras ok with that gravel? I keep hearing 2 dif stories about their barbs wearing down with the gravel, but I also heard sand is a ***** to clean…. Dont know if I want to spend a lot of time cleaning sand….
Also wanting live plants? Sand vs gravel for plants? Keep in mind ive never had live plants in any of the aquariums I have had in the past, so I’m pretty clueless when it comes to that…
Sand, gravel and plants vs plecos? Still not sure if I want a pleco or not… Already starting to run out of room with the fish i want to get even if i get a max size 3in pleco…..
I spent like $50 on that stupid gravel, so I’d hate to replace it with expensive sand before I even had it for a month…
By
Aquaboy on Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 |
4 Comments
I have three large ponds and have no problem dealing with them. Recently, a lot of my fish have had fry and I separated them into aquarium tanks. The tanks ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates are 0 and there’s plenty of filtration, but it seems they don’t eat all their food and a lot of it settles into the gravel. I’ve got a small pleco in one, but all my other plecos are too large. Is there other organisms/fish that will help keep the gravel clear? The pleco does good on algae, but leaves the gravel alone.
By
Aquaboy on Monday, September 13th, 2010 |
No Comments
Question by Paul: which aquarium filter is better, under gravel filters or the standard hanging filters?
i have several fish tanks and am having constant trouble with water clairity. i do weekly 10% water changes (i tried once a month 25% like the pet store advised but it wasnt helping). and i change the filter every two weeks. ive tried the chemicals but its still cant keep it clear. meanwhile my friend has a 55 gallon that they have never once changed the water, they just add water when it gets low. but theyre tank is CRYSTAL clear, ive never seen one so clear. The only difference is that they use both a hanging AND and undergravel filter. Ive read many negative AND positive things about UG filters and i was wondering which one is better and or if i should use both?
The filter is rated for 55g tanks and mine is only a 44g
i only feed twice a day, just as much as they eat in 3 mins, any more gets scooped out.
the filter media is those blue sponges filled with carbon flakes. they are pretty much the standard for basic filters.
Best answer:
Answer by K. Plesner
UG filters are not really considered a good idea these days. One problem is that the circulation through the gravel is way too fast for a lot of plants meaning that your plants will do poorly. They also tend to suck a lot of dirt through the gravel and leave it directly at the glass bottom of the tank. Not being able to see the dirt does not mean that it won’t degrade the water quality.
Don’t change the filter every two weeks. Rinse the filter foam or whatever material you use in the filter in water about the same temperature as the water in the tank whenever the output from the filter is noticeably reduced. If you change the filter every two weeks, the good bacteria will never gain a foothold.
Other possible reasons why your water is less than crystal clear:
The filter is too small for the tank.
There are too many fish in the tank.
The fish are overfed.
Give your answer to this question below!
By
Aquaboy on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 |
4 Comments
I’m setting up a new aquarium and am afraid I didn’t clean the gravel well enough the first time. We used about 35-40 lbs of gravel for our 20 gallon tank and had no bucket or colander, so we put the gravel in the tank, filled it to about halfway, moved it and the water around, and sucked out most of the dirty water. We repeated this process three or four times before filling up the tank completely. The first four or five gallons of new water was slightly cloudy, but as we filled up the full 20 gallons, the water became much clearer. Now that we’ve had the filter running for about 16 hours, the water is very clear. We’ve already added conditioner, so I don’t want to disturb the tank again until I add the fish – which is in another couple days (a goldfish or two and maybe three barbs or tetras).
Would this possibly affect my fishes’ health down the road? Thanks!
