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Fishnet

If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

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Original poster

Setting up a tropical fish tank.

45 replies

auntypurple · 22/02/2011 18:12

I am just setting up a tropical fish tank, just wondered if someone can take a look at what I have done so far and see if it is ok, and if there is anything else I need to be doing.
The tank is second hand, I cleaned it as well as I could with just hot water, and it has a Aqua one external filter, which was filled with water from a mature tank.
The tank is 48x20x15 so roughly 240ltr. We got it all set up and running on Saturday, and put in 2 and half caps of stress coat and 2 and a half caps of stress zyme. Again put in 2 and a half caps of stress zyme on Monday, and will put in another 2 and a half caps on stress zyme in the morning.
I have got the Api liquid freshwater master test kit and have today done all the tests for the first time.
I have followed the instructions and have got readings of
PH - 6.8
High range PH - 7.4 (not sure if I actully needed to do this or not)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
Ammonia - 0.25
So should I be doing anything else with this at the moment, or just leave it all alone?
I have googled but have come across alot of diffrent advice, and am getting a bit confused.
Thanks for reading.

OP posts:

SalandersBro · 26/02/2011 22:45

ok. Breathes. Fluval Edge

We have two fish. Littely ones. I understand that goldfish shit alot, but why? They aren't actual goldfish. Cold water fish, about 3 cms long.

We rinse the stones and sponge in the water we have removed when cleaning.

EauRouge · 26/02/2011 23:10

Oh right, I thought you said they were goldfish. What sort of fish are they? Fluval edge's have no surface area which doesn't help, I would reduce the water level so there's an inch or so of air between the water and the lid.

SalandersBro · 26/02/2011 23:19

sorry, Idid say they were goldfish, as they are coldwater. We have kept the level below the glass lid fo that reason. I just don't want my dds to lose 2 fish in same weekend. the reamining one is blotched in red. similar to the one that died today, hence a request for a cure, more than reducing the amonia level, wich I see as stopping anymore damage.

EauRouge · 26/02/2011 23:47

Well there's no point medicating if the water quality isn't up to scratch because the fish won't get better. I would be doing daily water changes to get the ammonia and nitrIte down and doing daily tests too. You really need to upgrade to a larger tank ASAP as well, 23 litres is pretty titchy for any fish and it'll be a nightmare keeping the water in decent condition.

SalandersBro · 26/02/2011 23:51

ok. and thank you very much. So why does this tank get on the market if it is useless? Cahnged one-third of water today. Will get a kit tomorrow and do tesets frequently. Anything to save the fish and dds' tears.

EauRouge · 27/02/2011 00:03

Because there aren't any laws about what can be sold as a fish tank, so hundreds of people are getting totally ripped off. Don't get me started!! You might be able to return it as unfit for purpose but I'm not au fait with consumer law, sorry.

SalandersBro · 27/02/2011 00:08

no I am sure Fluval knew what hey were doing. dds love it so it stays, but with much more vigilance. Thank you again for your help in all of htis.

EauRouge · 27/02/2011 00:09

Yeah, they know they are making money. The RSPCA recommends at least 10 gallons for one goldfish and that's not enough IMO. But it's entirely up to you.

SalandersBro · 27/02/2011 00:11

oh dear. The fish we have are tiddlers really. I can see a talk with dds and poss change to a bigger tank.

EauRouge · 27/02/2011 00:22

I wish shops would have a sign up saying how big goldfish get! That way so many people wouldn't need medical treatment when they find out they've got a potential whopper on their hands They are lovely fish though and well worth the effort if you've got the space.

SalandersBro · 27/02/2011 00:30

Pets at home do. But ours aren't that sort. I go there tomorrow with dds and have the water checked and question them closely about care. I just hopeand hope that the reamining one stayswith us.

SalandersBro · 27/02/2011 17:12

Hello EauRouge. Update is the remaining fish died overnight. They were orandas. Took a sample of water and it was fine. No dangerous amonia levels. We ahve gotten one redcap oranda and will see how thnigs go with it fora week.
Have drawn up a calander of maintancne with the dds to ensure we keep a close eye. This tank isn't the best for cleaning. All your advice received well.

Original poster

auntypurple · 28/02/2011 19:48

So sorry about you fish SalandersBro, they had one of those tank at my lfs, it was on the desk and they had put 6 or more fish in it

EauRouge, I have another question if you don't mind. My tank and everything is all good to go now, just needs setting back up, which will be done in the next few days. I have two air pumps and had set it up before with a large airstone, and and small airsrone running from one pump, and a treasure chest running from the other.

Now I am wondering if this is too much? I did it because dd's like the bubbles, but hadn't thought if the fish will. If you think it's too much I will leave some of it out. DD will not give up her treasure chest tho, as her grandad got it for her.

I also have a spray bar running anlong the back of the tank, which is the output from my filter. I do also have a duck bill piece, that I could use insead of the spary bar, which would be best?

OP posts:

EauRouge · 01/03/2011 21:18

Hello, sorry for delay, DD2 was born late Sunday night

Anyway, your airstones sound OK, if the fish look like they are avoiding them then you could remove one if you wanted. Spray bars are usually best in larger tanks for circulating the water. If you position it just under the surface but twist it slightly so that the water flows upwards and breaks the surface. Hope that makes sense, am a bit sleep deprived!

Salanders, orandas are lovely fish but they do get massive very quickly so unfortunately you won't be able to keep it in the edge for very long. Take a look at the record-breaking Bruce. The sooner you can upgrade to a larger tank, the better for your oranda. The alternative would be to take the oranda back and swap it for a few minnows.

SalandersBro · 02/03/2011 00:44

eaurouge, congrats to you! you mean you were posting invaluable advice whilst in labour???????

Original poster

auntypurple · 02/03/2011 06:23

Eaurouge congratulations , and on here giving advice so soon after your dd's birth.

I know what you mean about the spray bar breaking the water, it is under the water and facing up, so I have that right, did it all yesterday :)

I will keep an eye on the fish when I get them, and see if they like the airstones or not.

Thanks ever so much for all your help, that should be me done now for 6-8 weeks while it cycles itself.

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EauRouge · 02/03/2011 09:00

Salanders, it went on for 34 hours, I needed something to distract me!

aunty, cool, sounds like you are all set. Let me know if you get stuck on anything :)

Original poster

auntypurple · 04/03/2011 19:48

Hiya,
Well I have anothr question, not quite sure what is going on. When I took the tank apart, got rid of gravel ect, I noticed the tank was the wrong way round, so I pulled the thermoter off, intending to turn the tank around.

Anyway ended up not turning the tank, as noticed the back(should be front) was badly scratched. So I got the same make of thermoter and stuck one back on.

I never changed the setting on my heater when I took it out, but before I cleaned the tank the temp was at 77f, now it's only on 72f. It's been running since Tue, and seams to have settled on 72f, this is the temp on my thermoter( I know that's not how that is spelled).

Do you think this is ok, and what should it idealy be reading?

Other than that it all seams to be going really well, not had to fiddle with it at all. :)

OP posts:

EauRouge · 05/03/2011 08:55

77F/25C should be about right for most fish, it depends what you get! 72F is a bit on the cool side for tropicals. What sort of thermometer are you using? Digital ones are best, they are more accurate and easier to read. The thermostats on heaters can be a bit inaccurate so you might need to experiment a bit to get the right setting.

Original poster

auntypurple · 05/03/2011 12:03

Hello,
Thanks for the reply, I am going to try and get a digital thermometer today, as I think the one that is stuck on the outside of the glass is wrong.

It's an aqua one, stick on jobby, the glass and water of the tank do feel quite warm to the touch. So really needs to get something else to see what the temp is.

OP posts:

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