View Full Version : Looking for some advice.
tjg2007
10-09-2007, 8:08 AM
I have recently started my first attempt at an aquarium. It is a 55 gallon tank I bought used from a coworker. The only fish that are in there right now are 3 Guppies and 2 Goldfish that my kids got from the county fair back in July. Sometime in the future I hope to be adding in 2 Angels, probably Marble Veils, a School of some sort probably around 5 in the school, my wife wants me to get neons but I am thinking about getting some Harlequin Rasboras or Bosemani Rainbows, and 2 German Blue Rams(once I make sure everything else is settled in and the water conditions are stable).
First question is whether or not this will crowd the tank. I don't want to put too much in too small of an area. Is what I have planned for right now reasonable?
Second question is about the Rams. I have been trying to read as much as I can find on them and alot of it says that the German Blues are very critical of water conditions in most cases. Although I really like the colors on the German Blues I have also seen the Bolivians which from what I have read are more forgiving of the water conditions. I don't want to get the GBRs and have something happen that, through my inexpirience, will end up killing off the fish. So I guess what I am trying to ask is whether the Bolivian Rams are that much more forgiving of changing conditions, which would make them a better choice as a beginner, than the German Blues are?
captaincaveman9
10-09-2007, 8:21 AM
I'll state it before someone else does, The goldfish are cold water fish while the remainder you have/ want are tropical. Best to get the gold fish to a different aquarum. As far as stocking goes, other than the gold fish it looks ok to me. And yes, GBR do require good water conditions. With proper water changes (after cycling), the GBRs really are nice fish to have. I find that live plants in the tank help the water conditions a lot, but you still need regular water changes. For a beginner, I'd hold off on the rams until it looks like things are stable (Checking the waster pH, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia levels regularly).
I hope this helps you a little
Mgamer20o0
10-09-2007, 12:20 PM
i agree...... coldwater and topical fish just dont work..... if you were to get rid of the gold fish it would give you many other options.
StereoKills
10-09-2007, 12:43 PM
:iagree:
tjg2007
10-09-2007, 2:59 PM
I hate to get rid of the goldies as they were the first ones in the tank. Right now the water temp is at 82 and they really seem to enjoy it. Between the 2 only one is actually a gold color the other one is actually a silver/platinum color. They are very active and playful and just seem to be really enjoying themselves. Can the warmer water really be that bad for them? Or is it the other fish that may prove detrimental? They are pretty big so I dont think anything I am putting in will bother them.
Dwarf Puffers
10-09-2007, 3:05 PM
In the wild, they have temps of 17-23, where yours are 28+. They will also get around a foot long, and you will probably have to remove the guppies. You should either dig a pond for them, get them their own tank, or take them back. Taking them back would let you use your current tank for far more than 2 fish.
Also, neons would probably end up as the angel's midnight snack...
Shanks
10-09-2007, 3:12 PM
Be sure to tell me if I'm wrong, but I thought 79-80 was the "norm" for guppies? I could easily be wrong though. I'm a total newbie.
On the topic of goldfish, I know they're cold water fish, but what else is good for beginners that can be raised in cold water, or are there just enough different breeds of goldfish to keep one entertained?
Dwarf Puffers
10-09-2007, 3:22 PM
Be sure to tell me if I'm wrong, but I thought 79-80 was the "norm" for guppies? I could easily be wrong though. I'm a total newbie.
Guppies can live at 80 degrees, but prefer cooler temps, like 76.
On the topic of goldfish, I know they're cold water fish, but what else is good for beginners that can be raised in cold water, or are there just enough different breeds of goldfish to keep one entertained?
White cloud mountain minnows.;)
livingword26
10-09-2007, 8:02 PM
Get rid of the goldfish and go with the Harlequin Rasboras. They are neat little fish.
msjinkzd
10-09-2007, 9:21 PM
I understand your attachment to the goldfish (especially as they are your kids fish)....tropical and cold just don't mix well for longevity and health of the fish. If you were to go with a coldwater set up, I believe there are some loaches and plecs that can do well in cool set-ups.
wataugachicken
10-10-2007, 9:05 AM
plus, even if you wanted a goldfish-only tank, you don't have room for any more. those 'county-fair' goldfish are almost always comets, which are really a pond fish. they get upwards of 12" long. even though they are small now, they will get bigger, quickly. you may want to keep them for a couple months so the kids can watch them grow, and in the spring find a new home for them in friend's or neighbor's pond. not only will the kids be able to watch their fish for a while, it will be a good lesson in caring for the fish properly. maybe the person that takes the goldies will aloow you and the kids to come over once in a while and feed the fish and check on them. then you can go on with plans for your tropical tank.