Help WithTank Size

[Boohoo]

First, I know that I am way overstocked. All my fish are juvinilles at this point so now I am looking around to find a bigger tanks. I would lik some opinions on the min. size I should be looking for. Both of my tanks are 10g. TANK# 1 has 1 Male Betta, 2 Irradescent Sharks, 3 Danios, 5 Neon Tetras & 4 White Clouds. I think I am going to leave the Betta & the Neons in the 10g. Would that be okay? The rest can move to a bigger tank.
TANK# 2 has 1 Black Moor, 1 Calico Fantail, 2 Comets & 1 Black Mystery Snail. I will then use this tank for a hospital tank. All responses will be greatly appreciated.

[happychem]

What is the biggest setup you can afford? Check out the prices available and what can afford to spend. As a rule, the bigger the better.

Um, hold on! By Iridescent shark, do you mean: http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0207&view_records=1

Probably best to get rid of that pair unless you've got a really big tank in the works.

[Boohoo]

Those are the ones!!! told my LFS I was setting up a 10g and that is what I got. Big mistake. I don't know what to do with them. My LFS doesn't take returns.

[Swimfins]

Some take returns for store credit, then you get a bigger one and pay the difference.

[Boohoo]

No, I mean they won't take fish back. Not even for free.

[Holly9937]

I would keep trying to return the sharks, look around for other stores in your area... The description says a minimum of 200 gallons, but I think that would still be way too small for a 3+ foot fish :eek: . As for the first tank (minus the sharks) a 20-30g tank would be good. The goldfish would need their own tank like they have now, I would think 50-60 gallons at a minimum, probably larger, they can get really big too. I have read recommendations of aywhere from 10-30 gallons per goldfish.

[Debra Mark]

Our Iridescent Shark is about 22-24" now....

[happychem]

Try posting on the www.eastcoastaquariumsociety.ca forum, perhaps someone local (or reasonably local) would be interested. I know that there are a couple of folks with really big tanks.

[HeinekenMike]

if thay wont take returns and you need to find a good home for them because you no longer have space I would list them on craigslist if you live in or near a big city, someone will pick them up for free or even for a small price, or even for a trade

[buddha_red]

yahoo groups has a thing called petsinneed. they may have one for your state. i have away 4 silver mollies the other day.

[Boohoo]

Debra Mark, if you have any way of posting a picture of your shark, I would really like to see it. All I have ever seen are the juvenilles.

[mooman]

If the store sold you the shark knowing that you have a 10g then that is at best professionally irresponsible. Here's what you do. Look up the number for your local Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce and put it on a cell phone speed dial. Take the fish to the store and politely explain that even though taking fish back is not their policy, an exception should be made because it was their employee’s ignorance that contributed to the problem. If they refuse, state your intentions to report them to the organizations mentioned above. Still will not take fish back? Take out cell phone, and in front of as many other customers as possible proceed to report them. Walk out, and "forget" to take your fish.

PS don't shop there again.

[happychem]

Good point. Where did you get those fish from?

[Boohoo]

Claws n' Paws pet shop in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

[happychem]

I can understand why some places won't take fish back, but if you explain to the manager that you were led to believe that this was an appropriate fish for a 10g, when in fact it's not even close, they should give you some leeway. Sadly, they'll probably just sell it to some other unsuspecting person.

[Boohoo]

I hate to tell you this but it was the Manager/Owner who sold it to me.

[StreetCypher]

If the store sold you the shark knowing that you have a 10g then that is at best professionally irresponsible. Here's what you do. Look up the number for your local Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce and put it on a cell phone speed dial. Take the fish to the store and politely explain that even though taking fish back is not their policy, an exception should be made because it was their employee’s ignorance that contributed to the problem. If they refuse, state your intentions to report them to the organizations mentioned above. Still will not take fish back? Take out cell phone, and in front of as many other customers as possible proceed to report them. Walk out, and "forget" to take your fish.

PS don't shop there again.
That sounds like a plan, i was going to advise not going there again for telling you an ID shark would be ok in a 10g. Honestly, i wouldn't even use a 10g for a grow out for an ID shark.

That manager is a shmuck

[Boohoo]

Well I took the plunge. Today I bought a 55g. I currently have the 10g that I am going to keep just the male betta, the neon tetras and I am going to buy maybe 3 otos. Once the new tank is FISHLESS CYCLED :) I am going to put 3 danios, 4 white clouds and the 2 irradescent sharks(until I find them a home). What else would be good tankmates to add to the 55g. All suggestions greatly appreciated. :confused:

[ArkyLady]

If the store sold you the shark knowing that you have a 10g then that is at best professionally irresponsible. Here's what you do. Look up the number for your local Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce and put it on a cell phone speed dial. Take the fish to the store and politely explain that even though taking fish back is not their policy, an exception should be made because it was their employee’s ignorance that contributed to the problem. If they refuse, state your intentions to report them to the organizations mentioned above. Still will not take fish back? Take out cell phone, and in front of as many other customers as possible proceed to report them. Walk out, and "forget" to take your fish.

PS don't shop there again.

hehe an excellent idea! Most especially since it was the owner who sold the fish in the first place. Hrmm, I wonder if anyone could sue an LFS in small claims court for the costs of purchasing a tank suitable for the fish they sold them telling them they could live in a 10 gallon. Now THAT would be a great precedent lol

Boohoo don't feel bad, when I first setup my 10 gallon tank years back I believed our LFS owner as well. That tank had 1 bala shark, 1 clown loach, 1 common pleco, 1 ropefish, 1 banded lepornis, 1 male betta, 2 cory cats and a handful of tetras. He refused to take any of the fish back once I realized the situation he'd put me in. The banded lepornis started tearing at my bettas fins, so I put him in a baggie of water and plopped him on the counter at the LFS and told him I didn't want this fish and he could deal with it.

Yay! Fishless cycles rock :D

[Boohoo]

Okay, as I just posted a few hours ago I bought a 55g today. Now can someone please tell me what to do for a stand? I know you can purchase stands at the LFS but what else do you folks do for a stand???

[StreetCypher]

Cinder blocks and 2X4s for a cheap way

[twiztedfait]

I just bought some wood at home depot and made my own with the help of my father. Knowing somone who has a wood working shop is nice at times :)

[theuselessfew]

Okay, as I just posted a few hours ago I bought a 55g today. Now can someone please tell me what to do for a stand? I know you can purchase stands at the LFS but what else do you folks do for a stand???

Check your local classified adds for a deal. Or ebay.

For my 55, I have the wrought iron frame stand. To hide everything underneath, I wrapped it with khaki fabric, secured with velcro.
Cheap, and looks great.

[Debra Mark]

Debra Mark, if you have any way of posting a picture of your shark, I would really like to see it. All I have ever seen are the juvenilles.

There is a picture of him in the General Freshwater Forum, in the 'Post Pictures of your Fish' thread....around page 14 or 15 I think. :)