View Full Version : New 12 gallon tank
D4nny17
11-10-2007, 7:59 AM
Hi im getting a 12 gallon tank tommorow (if they have any left) it has a heater can i keep my goldfish in it and what does cycling mean? Thanks in advance.
Eupterus
11-10-2007, 8:05 AM
It's too small for a goldfish to live in for life.
Not sure why a goldfish needs a heater if kept in an indoors aquarium.
The only reason for the use of heater is to keep the temperature constant. If you want coldwater species, there is white cloud mountain minnows for you otherwise stick with small species of tetras, rasboras, gobies, catfish and killifish. The latter are tropical species and will really require a heater unless you live in the tropical climate.
:welcome: to AC by the way!
Rbishop
11-10-2007, 8:57 AM
"Cycling" is establishing the bacteria to maintain the waste products in your aquarium, for a healthy environment...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598
D4nny17
11-10-2007, 11:14 AM
Thanks. How do you do ammonia tests and other tests on the water?
Rbishop
11-10-2007, 11:17 AM
I use the API Master liquid test kit. There are several that should be available at your LFS or at an on-line supply place. I recommend staying away from the "dip" test strip style with the inaccuracies they have.
D4nny17
11-10-2007, 11:22 AM
I use the API Master liquid test kit. There are several that should be available at your LFS or at an on-line supply place. I recommend staying away from the "dip" test strip style with the inaccuracies they have.
LFS? Sorry im lost.
vtx-coley
11-10-2007, 11:35 AM
Local Fish Store
D4nny17
11-10-2007, 11:38 AM
Local Fish Store
Oohh is it essential to test the water?
Rbishop
11-10-2007, 11:52 AM
Yes. High levels of ammonia or nitrites can be extremly damaging to your fish in a very short period of time. The fish you keep give off waste in urine and excrement which will generate ammonia, as does rotting un-eaten food. Bacteria will develop that converts the ammonia to nitrite, which is still damaging to your fish.
Another bacteria will develop that converts nitrites to nitrates. The nitrates are less damaging than the others, but are maintained low by doing regular water changes.
D4nny17
11-10-2007, 6:57 PM
Yes. High levels of ammonia or nitrites can be extremly damaging to your fish in a very short period of time. The fish you keep give off waste in urine and excrement which will generate ammonia, as does rotting un-eaten food. Bacteria will develop that converts the ammonia to nitrite, which is still damaging to your fish.
Another bacteria will develop that converts nitrites to nitrates. The nitrates are less damaging than the others, but are maintained low by doing regular water changes.
Could i just do regular water changes or should i alaways check the water for ammonia?
OhNo123
11-10-2007, 8:36 PM
White cloud minnows are coldwater?
And yes, cycling is necessary as well as a periodic water test.
gypsie02
11-11-2007, 12:48 AM
Read the stickies and do some research before setting up your tank with fish
Lupin
11-11-2007, 12:51 AM
White cloud minnows are coldwater?
Yes.
D4nny17
11-11-2007, 9:36 AM
Ive got the tank but not set it all up yet. Is there anything i need too do before i set it up?
Ive got the tank but not set it all up yet. Is there anything i need too do before i set it up?
Check that the tank is levelled to avoid future leaks.
D4nny17
11-12-2007, 3:34 PM
Check that the tank is levelled to avoid future leaks.
Thanks. Im giving my goldfish away too friend and when they get too big for her tank probable giving them too my uncle for his pond. What sort of tropical fish and how many should i keep in a 12 gallon tank that won't hurt each other. Would Angels eat neon tetras? Thanks any info will be appreciated.
Thanks. Im giving my goldfish away too friend and when they get too big for her tank probable giving them too my uncle for his pond. What sort of tropical fish and how many should i keep in a 12 gallon tank that won't hurt each other. Would Angels eat neon tetras? Thanks any info will be appreciated.
Angelfish will eat small torpedo-shaped tetras such as neons in particular. Tetras are their natural prey in the wild where they try to ambush any stray ones. A big shoal would really confuse them.
If the 12 gallons were mine, I'd keep 10-15 Hyphessobrycon amandae, 3-4 small species of corydoras such as panda or 5-6 Corydoras pygmaeus. For surface, 4-5 hatchets will do.:) Don't keep hatchets in less than 3. They have a tendency to pine away. Make sure you have tight lid cover as well as hatchets do 'fly' out of the tank.
spudjnr123
11-12-2007, 7:49 PM
Lupin, I know I'm contradicting genius, but isn't that setup way full for a twelve? Wouldn't The H. amandae and Pygmies put that tank at max? Just wondering....
Also, Angelfish grow too large for a twelve, so you'd a) have to give them away or b) upgrade later.
Lupin, I know I'm contradicting genius, but isn't that setup way full for a twelve? Wouldn't The H. amandae and Pygmies put that tank at max? Just wondering....
Hmmm..Yes, it will put the tank at max but not to the point that you would consider it overstocking. Considering the Hyphessobrycon amandae and Corydoras pygmaeus reach only 3-4 cm at most, I doubt it. Furthermore, both species hardly will contribute too much bioload and both dwell on different levels so the stocklist is fine.
spudjnr123
11-12-2007, 9:40 PM
Like I said, contrdicting genius= no good. Good luck with that setup!!
D4nny17
11-13-2007, 11:07 AM
Hmmm..Yes, it will put the tank at max but not to the point that you would consider it overstocking. Considering the Hyphessobrycon amandae and Corydoras pygmaeus reach only 3-4 cm at most, I doubt it. Furthermore, both species hardly will contribute too much bioload and both dwell on different levels so the stocklist is fine.
Thanks what i now have is two guppies and six neons is this too much? Thw women in the pet shop said that i could keep alot of fish in the tank as long as they are community fish. What fish are the community fish? Thanks in advance.
Thanks what i now have is two guppies and six neons is this too much? Thw women in the pet shop said that i could keep alot of fish in the tank as long as they are community fish. What fish are the community fish? Thanks in advance.
If you still want the Hyphessobrycon amandae, you can reduce the number to 8 instead of 15 considering you already have 6 neons.:)
Community fish are the ones that are quite peaceful and will coexist with each other without too much problems.
spudjnr123
11-13-2007, 5:18 PM
Most times, in the store if you go to a chain, there are stickers or sections which are marked for community fish, semi-aggresive and aggressives. Most communities go well together, if you have a certain species you have in mind just come and ask and anyone here can tell you whether they will fit with your stocking. If you can get ahold of the ember tetras, that would be a really nice sized school. you definately want the cories though, because they will help keep the tank clean. Listen to Lupin, he knows his stuff.
Dwarf Puffers
11-13-2007, 5:30 PM
Hmmm..Yes, it will put the tank at max but not to the point that you would consider it overstocking. Considering the Hyphessobrycon amandae and Corydoras pygmaeus reach only 3-4 cm at most, I doubt it. Furthermore, both species hardly will contribute too much bioload and both dwell on different levels so the stocklist is fine.
15 amandae, 6 cories and 3 hatchets sounds more like 20g stocking. 10 amandae and 4 dwarf cories sounds pretty maxed out IMO.
Thanks what i now have is two guppies and six neons is this too much? Thw women in the pet shop said that i could keep alot of fish in the tank as long as they are community fish. What fish are the community fish? Thanks in advance.
Nope, that isn't near too much. If your guppies are males (very colorful tails and fins), you could either add 1 more male guppie or 2 more neons.
Lupin
11-13-2007, 10:16 PM
15 amandae, 6 cories and 3 hatchets sounds more like 20g stocking. 10 amandae and 4 dwarf cories sounds pretty maxed out IMO.
Have you even tried the Hyphessobrycon amandae? Unless you did, please do not tell me that a 12 gallons cannot accommodate 15 at all.;) So if we cut back the hatchets, 15 amandaes can still fit but with 6 neons in, I had recommended snipping the number to 8 instead.
D4nny17
11-14-2007, 4:03 PM
I know this sounds terrible but it wasn't my fault. I left the lid off my tank while i put warmer water in it too help the speed of the temparture because the heater was being slow and after a few jugs i couldn't find one of my guppies. I looked everywhere in the tank and looked down too see him lying on the floor dead? Are they good jumpers. Ive took alot of water out and because guppies school i got 2 new guppies and some new plants. And what fish are community fish? Are fighters (sorry if i sound dumb)? Thanks in advance.
wataugachicken
11-14-2007, 4:15 PM
bettas (siamese fighting fish) can sometimes be community fish. the problem is that when they see fish with similar fins (like your male guppies with their big colorful tails) they may mistake the other fish for being bettas, and fight them. also, neon tetras may nip the betta's fins, causing a lot of damage. also, like cats or dogs, bettas each seem to have their own 'personality'. some can be very aggressive, and others might be very peaceful and never attack another fish. it's really just hit and miss with them.
how much water is in the tank? do you have it filled up?
any fish can jump, especially in response to a stressful situation. what was the temperature of the tank when the heater was "being slow"? how hot was the water that you added? a big change in temperature (more than a few degrees) can certainly stress fish out and cause them to have breathing problems as well. temperature changes should be allowed to happen slowly over a period of time. While we are warm-blooded and can move from 100 degree weather to a cold air-conditioned building with no trouble (or the other way around) fish are cold-blooded and quickly affected by large temperature swings.
D4nny17
11-15-2007, 1:41 AM
bettas (siamese fighting fish) can sometimes be community fish. the problem is that when they see fish with similar fins (like your male guppies with their big colorful tails) they may mistake the other fish for being bettas, and fight them. also, neon tetras may nip the betta's fins, causing a lot of damage. also, like cats or dogs, bettas each seem to have their own 'personality'. some can be very aggressive, and others might be very peaceful and never attack another fish. it's really just hit and miss with them.
how much water is in the tank? do you have it filled up?
any fish can jump, especially in response to a stressful situation. what was the temperature of the tank when the heater was "being slow"? how hot was the water that you added? a big change in temperature (more than a few degrees) can certainly stress fish out and cause them to have breathing problems as well. temperature changes should be allowed to happen slowly over a period of time. While we are warm-blooded and can move from 100 degree weather to a cold air-conditioned building with no trouble (or the other way around) fish are cold-blooded and quickly affected by large temperature swings.
The water i added was about 80 fahrenheit too a 68 fahrenheit bringing it upto 73 fahrenheit.
I have it filled up too about 3.5 cm below the top but i had it about 2.5cm underneath the top. The instructions say about 1.5 cm underneath the top.