View Full Version : A couple of newbie questions...
RobertA
11-02-2005, 10:07 PM
Sorry to bother you guys with more newbie questions, but I seem to realy need help setting up my aquarium... :read:
1.- I'd like to know the best type of bottom feaders I should get for my 20gal tank.
2.- What type of real plants should I get for starting my aquarium? I've heard that Java Ferns are nice and easy to take care of.
3.- Are Angelfish very aggresive? Are Bettas easy to maintain?
4.- Which is the best type of fish I should buy to start the aquarium cycle?
5.- Is it ok to have seashells in the tank? I put six in already :rolleyes:
Thanks in advance!
stingray4540
11-02-2005, 10:17 PM
1. cory cats
2. java ferns or anubius plants
3. ?
4. giant danios, about 3per 10 gallons, 6 in your case.
5. I wouldn't recomend it, it will raise the ph levels.
RobertA
11-02-2005, 10:23 PM
1. cory cats
2. java ferns or anubius plants
3. ?
4. giant danios, about 3per 10 gallons, 6 in your case.
5. I wouldn't recomend it, it will raise the ph levels.
Will the seashells raise the ph by ALOT?
mykidsmylife
11-03-2005, 12:06 AM
I think angel fish would get way too big for a 20 gallon. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong.
I do not think I would call a betta an easier to maintain than most fish...they still need the same thing all fish need-clean healthy water and healthy food. You would not want to put anything "nippy" in with a betta though. Their beautiful fins just beg other fish to torment them sometimes. I had the unfortunate experience of danios nipping a betta quite unfortunately to death.
I would suggest reading up on the "cycling" sticky. It really is MUCH easier to do a fishless cycle IMO/IME and then there will be no harm to the fish during the cycle. If you plan on cycling with fish...plan on doing large volume water changes daily and sometimes twice a day to keep your fish well and thriving.
Good luck to you. It is such a fun hobby and well worth it! :D
stingray4540
11-03-2005, 12:57 AM
Yeah, a lot. some fish can handle higher ph levels so you'll have to research whatever fish you plan on having, but I doubt many freshwater fish will like the ph levels your shells produce. you can get stuff to lower your ph, if you want to spend the money and constantly have to remember to put that stuff in. Have you considered just getting some driftwood and live plants? Or are you stuck on having shells? Also if you get ornamental real rocks be carefull most will also raise the ph, but not quite as much as the shells, I also heard that shells release something else into the water that is undisirable but I can't remember what that was anymore.
cattlegrid_79
11-03-2005, 7:38 AM
For a bottom feeder you could try a bristlenose plec. One of the few plecs to not grow to the size of a house!!!
Anubias is great in low light. Amazon Sword plant also is quite a fast and easy grower althought you can get a bit of die off if you don't have sufficient lighting. But usually it grows ok.
RobertA
11-03-2005, 8:12 PM
Yeah, a lot. some fish can handle higher ph levels so you'll have to research whatever fish you plan on having, but I doubt many freshwater fish will like the ph levels your shells produce. you can get stuff to lower your ph, if you want to spend the money and constantly have to remember to put that stuff in. Have you considered just getting some driftwood and live plants? Or are you stuck on having shells? Also if you get ornamental real rocks be carefull most will also raise the ph, but not quite as much as the shells, I also heard that shells release something else into the water that is undisirable but I can't remember what that was anymore.
Hmmm... Okay, I took out the few seashells I had in my tank. I looked around and decided that it would be best for me to get an Anubia and a Java Moss plant. Fish wise, I'm plannning on getting around 8 Guppies, maybe a Swordtail and I havn't realy found any good bottom feaders yet... Do you or anyone else have some suggestions?
stingray4540
11-03-2005, 9:11 PM
I like the spotted cory cats and they are pretty good scavengers, they also like to swim around and scavenge together so get at least 2. Other than that I'm not familier whith any other bottom feeders.
Roan Art
11-03-2005, 9:17 PM
I like the spotted cory cats and they are pretty good scavengers, they also like to swim around and scavenge together so get at least 2. Other than that I'm not familier whith any other bottom feeders.They're schooling fish, not grouping fish. You'll need a min of 3 but 6 is best.
Roan
RobertA
11-03-2005, 9:23 PM
I like the spotted cory cats and they are pretty good scavengers, they also like to swim around and scavenge together so get at least 2. Other than that I'm not familier whith any other bottom feeders.
Okay then, I'll be sure to get some! :) But do they get very BIG? I've heard that many catfish do.
Any other nice fish I can get that are nice to keep and to look at?
stingray4540
11-03-2005, 10:04 PM
most don't get any bigger than 2-3 inch. check out this site http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=864 freshwater, cory cats, then check out the ones you like and see how big they get.
RobertA
11-03-2005, 10:41 PM
most don't get any bigger than 2-3 inch. check out this site http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pcatid=864 freshwater, cory cats, then check out the ones you like and see how big they get.
Have you ordered fish from that site before? How the hell do the fish arrive to their destination alive?!
stingray4540
11-03-2005, 11:06 PM
No. I have never ordered from them. I just like to reserch my fish at that site because it has pretty comprehensive info on a lot of fish. Some fish I have only been able to find info on there. They say they guarentee there fish to arive alive, but I don't know how and I probably wouldn't try it unless they had something that I really wanted and couldn't find locally. They also seem to be a little expensive. But good info on lots of fish. By the way. Is that a pic of you as your avetar?
RobertA
11-03-2005, 11:26 PM
No. I have never ordered from them. I just like to reserch my fish at that site because it has pretty comprehensive info on a lot of fish. Some fish I have only been able to find info on there. They say they guarentee there fish to arive alive, but I don't know how and I probably wouldn't try it unless they had something that I really wanted and couldn't find locally. They also seem to be a little expensive. But good info on lots of fish. By the way. Is that a pic of you as your avetar?
Thought so... Don't you think it's rather amusing that they send their fish by mail :laugh: It's also prety saddening because of the fish.
Yeah, that's me lol :o (I'm only 14)
Have you ordered fish from that site before? How the hell do the fish arrive to their destination alive?!
All fish have to be shipped from the breeders...how do you think they get to the stores?
RobertA
11-03-2005, 11:33 PM
All fish have to be shipped from the breeders...how do you think they get to the stores?
It's not the same...When they're shipped from the breeders the deliveres take special care *or at least they try to* to deliver the fish alive.
It's not the same...When they're shipped from the breeders the deliveres take special care *or at least they try to* to deliver the fish alive.
I'm not sure why you think the delivery methods would be any different.
stingray4540
11-03-2005, 11:50 PM
All fish have to be shipped from the breeders...how do you think they get to the stores?
I dont know about other stores but my lfs's get there fish from a couple of different local breeders. But I guess store that aren't in the city have to get them shipped? I duh no. I'd just rather get them from a store so I can see them and pick out the one I want.
I dont know about other stores but my lfs's get there fish from a couple of different local breeders. But I guess store that aren't in the city have to get them shipped?
I live in a major city and some fish still have to be shipped. There a some species of fish that are easier to attain or are only available through capture in their natural habitat...Such as most loaches...does your store not carry these?
RobertA
11-04-2005, 12:06 AM
I live in a major city and some fish still have to be shipped. There a some species of fish that are easier to attain or are only available through capture in their natural habitat...Such as most loaches...does your store not carry these?
So you get something like a little box in the mail containing a small plastic fish container when you order your fish?
So you get something like a little box in the mail containing a small plastic fish container when you order your fish?
First of all they come Fed Ex...not the same as mail...Second here is their description of how they are packed:
Packaging & Transit
Once the animals in your order have been selected for shipment, they're carefully placed in new freshwater or seawater of the proper pH and specific gravity inside multiple poly bags with thick liners to limit the chances of punctures or leaks. The bags are then filled with pure oxygen and sealed with a special aluminum fastener for an air and watertight seal. From there the bags are placed in special insulated coolers to maintain a stable temperature during the transit, and warmers or ice packs are used to compensate for extreme temperatures depending on the season. The cooler is placed in a corrugated cardboard box for proper identification of the contents, and then the package is shipped overnight to arrive at your door the following day.
Roan Art
11-04-2005, 5:17 AM
Thought so... Don't you think it's rather amusing that they send their fish by mail :laugh: It's also prety saddening because of the fish.
Yeah, that's me lol :o (I'm only 14)I've ordered quite a few fish from them and they've always come to me in great condition. I had 1 DOA Cherry Fire Shrimp and they credited my account.
The fish are shipped Fed Ex, overnight, and I always specify before 10am delivery.
Your minimum order is $29.00, regardless of the number of fish.
It's quite safe to order from them, really. Just follow the instructions they send you for adding them to your tank and you'll be fine.
Roan