Beginner filter question

[raffle]

We got a tank today and some guppy fish, set up but we don't know if the whole of the filter unit should be submerged, or if the spout bit at the top should be out of the water making a little waterfall type thing?

Totally stupid question I know, but we are beginners.

Thanks for any replys.

[EauRouge]

The outlet needs to move the surface of the water but it doesn't have to stick out completely- just close enough to make ripples is fine and it's quieter that way. Did you cycle the tank before adding fish?

[EauRouge]

Just realised you said you bought the tank today, so it won't be cycled. Have a read of this that explains about the nitrogen cycle. You'll need to do a lot of testing and water changes over the next few weeks to keep your guppies safe.

[raffle]

Oh thanks so much! We are novices and really want to get it right :)

[Valsoldknickers]

Sorry, don't know what type of filter you were sold, but it should have a protective sponge over the end to stop the little guppies getting sucked in à la Finding Nemo if the opening is large enough.

[Valsoldknickers]

Also meant to wish you good luck!

[raffle]

Cheers Val, will investigate sponge barriers.

Got another question - the guppy seem to be swimming predominately on the top of the tank...so we can't actually see them

Do we take some water out to lower the level? That way if they continue to swim on the top then we can still actually see them?

Oh, and last question - one of the fish has been sort of lying on top of the filter unit, and not really moving. He is alive and wriggling gently, but not moving around? Is he poorly? (Crosses fingers and hopes that he just really likes resting on the humming unit!)

[EauRouge]

Have you tested the water yet? All this behaviour coupled with the fact that the tank wasn't cycled prior to adding fish points to a probable water quality issue.

For now I would just do a water change (don't forget to dechlorinate the water!) and order a testing kit so you can find out what's going on.

If you have an internal filter (looks like a black box) then you don't need to worry about any barrier unless you end up with babies. Do you have a mixture of males and females?

[Valsoldknickers]

I would leave well alone with the water level. This is their new home and they need time to adjust. They can also get stressed easily (which will cause their health to deteriorate). Some fish do swim / feed at different levels so may gravitate towards the top, middle or bottom of the aquarium. They should get more adventurous over time.

Also, I have found that if the tank isn't filled to it's optimum level the filter can be very noisy (lots of flowing water noises like a splashy refilling toilet cistern)!

I don't have guppies myself but I think you have to be aware of the gender mix (females together are ok, and maybe with one male, but I am not sure if two males or more in the one tank is a good thing).

It doesn't sound too good for your little fish lying on it's side. Give it a while, but I don't know....

[Valsoldknickers]

Yy to EauRouge saying to test the water. I wouldn't make any changes until establishing the water quality first though.

[EauRouge]

If the tank wasn't cycled then the ammonia level will have risen- this happens quickly and can be fatal so I would do a water change. if the water is the same temp and pH then it won't do any harm.

[Valsoldknickers]

I bow to EauRouge's knowledge, definitely superior to mine (sorry)!

Raffle if you bought everything in the one shop I would bring them a sample of your changed water and ask them to test it for you. If they are decent enough they shouldn't mind doing it for you. This doesn't replace the necessity for you to get your own test kit but at least you'll be in the right place to buy whatever you need (for example pH Up or Down, a product to treat the water, a health booster for the fish etc).

The shop where I buy fish don't mind helping out novices in this way, hopefully yours is the same.

[EauRouge]

Hope I didn't sound snappy, I was on my phone and I can't bloody type on it I don't get out much so I'm quite geeky about fish

raffle, if you have a look at the link I posted further up, there is a really good graph that shows what is going on in your tank right now. Since there was no ammonia added before the fish, the bacteria colony will not have had a chance to grow. So the ammonia level will spike within the next few days. Baaaad news for the fish because ammonia is very toxic.

Val is right, most good aquatic stores will test the water for you, but make sure they right down the results because some places will either say it is 'fine' or they will sell you loads of potions that you don't need to remedy the fact that they shouldn't have sold you a tank and fish on the same day in the first place. Lots of testing and millions of water changes are all that is needed to save the day in an uncycled tank. As long as the new water is the same temp and pH, and it is dechlorinated then you should be able to save your fish.

[raffle]

Thanks everyone :)

Great advice, we are on to it! Cheers

[EauRouge]

Just realised that I put 'right down', feel free to ignore everything I ever say .

How are things going with the fish?

[raffle]

Fish are all good thank you! Even the one who spent 4 days sitting on top of the filter

But another question...the water in the tank isn't looking clear. It's sort of yellowish. Not massively, but tinged type thing.

We are doing quarter changes every few days with the fresh water being left in a container and treated over night before adding.

Why?! Help us out fish friends!

[EauRouge]

Have you got any bogwood in there? Yellow sounds like it might be tannins. It's not really harmful in small amounts, in fact some fish prefer it, but it is acidic so you might want to check the pH. Guppies thrive in harder, more alkaline water than most other tropical fish.