Cal Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Hey all Well the 65L TV tank is now up and running with 6 neons and 3 guppies. I know I should do a water change a week after, is 20% a good amount? and should i make the water the same temperature as the tank water before i add it? Also what fish would be the next possible option. I have heard some bottom feeders would be good to get a balance, but I don't want to go into complicated feeding yet (live bait etc). Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers Cal, the guppies, his neons and his TV tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 20% is a good amount. try and make the water change water the same temperature, you end up knowing if you get it right by feel after a while! cant go past pleco's and clown loaches for interesting and cool to watch bottom feeders. feed them shrimp pellets and spirulina tabs, they love 'em! dont need to feed live but it makes it more interesting to watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suemack Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 hi Cal ...isn't it great to finally see fish swimming round in the tank. I wouldn't be in too great a hurry to add any more fish just yet......give your tank a bit of time to get properly established. If you can get a couple of test kits - ammonia/nitrite/nitrate - or you can take samples into the lfs (our up here test the water for free) .....you'll know when there is nil ammonia/nitrite and the nitrate is starting to show that the tank is cycled. Most of the loaches seem to be very sensitive to new tank water problems, if you are thinking of loaches it's easier to wait a while before you get them.......and if you do they vary in size greatly. Clown loaches can get to 7 inches plus, whereas the polkadots (angelicus/kubotai) and the zebras (striata) both remain smaller and are often available at the lfs. I ended up getting bristlenoses as they stay a lot smaller and more manageable than the common plecos.....bristlenoses are just so cute with their prickly noses too. Another good bottom feeder is the cory and there are a load of different varieties to choose from......their only drawback is they don't eat algae.....but they too are very cute and active in the tank and there are some incredibly beautifully marked ones round. Just spend time in the lfs and see what you like the look of .....then before you buy, go home and do some research on the net to find out what they are like in a tank........some of the catfishes can be rather preditory (cories and bristles aren't) Be good to hear how you get on Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelay Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I too have just set up a tank and have had fish in it for a few weeks, i can tell you that it is an important stage and could take several weeks to settle down before more fish can be added, i would definately get test kits, mainly Nitrite, because it is the middle of the cycle and once the Nitrite levels are down the tank is pretty much ready for new fish (I only use a Nitrite test because i didn't have much money spare when i got the tank and because the LFS owner said that it is really the most important test). 20% sounds good, also make sure it is Dechlorinated either by leaving it to stand for a few days or by using Chemicals and it should be the same temperature to avoid shocking the fish. Now that my tank has settled down i am going to get a couple of Bristlenoses too because they are great fish and i have grown some algae over the past couple of weeks. Good luck luck and happy fish keeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Of course only dechlorinate if you actually have chlorine in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted June 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Thanks for the advice everyone, I took my tank water to get tested before I introduced the first fish but it sounds like a test kit is the way to go. I do also have the water treatment for the new water to be added. Bristlenoses sound good especially since they eat algae, are they completely herbavores? if so is it spirulina that you should also feed them with? Another question is with the lighting how many hours a day do you recommend to run the light for because i'm setting it up on a timer? And finally what do you think about the use of plant fertilisers or is it too early in the tanks life to start adding more nutrients? Thanks for all the good tips Cal, his guppies, his neons and the TV tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Bristlenoses will eat anything but are mainly veggie eatres. The bottom dweller pellets, spirulina and cooked veg will be eaten. Cooked, shelled peas are a favourite. Also try lettuce (hold it down with a rock) cucumber and zuchini. Plants need 10 - 12 hours of light per day. Personally I never use plant fertilisers so I will leave that question to someone who does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.