View Full Version : Getting back into fish..well trying :(
Mgamer20o0
02-13-2007, 3:40 AM
ok...
G'day all!
Trying to setup a small tank (18-20litre about 4 usGAL) so far it seems to be livable.
I never knew about this cycling thingy.... i used to have a L:3ft W:1ft H:1.5ft filled it up let it run for about a week and added plants and fish and never had any problems.
I have done the same with this tank and added over a few days a purple waffle plant, 6 tetras 2 bristle nose catfish and a molly or a guppy (confused!).
The plant has gone nuts so ive trimed it and replanted it. the fish all seem healthy and dont fight or nip fins etc.
To the problems!
the first problem is oxygen. the tank seemed to be going fine for about 2 weeks then one day i came home to see all my fish sitting at the water surface gasping so i added an airstone wich seems to have fixed that problem.
My next problem is the filter. its got a power head which draws water into a compartment it the hood and passes it over some bio balls a bit of fluff and some active carbon. after 3 weeks or so the filter compartment was flooding and smelling bad. so i re aranged the compartments. it now goes through some filter medium then over some bioballs with active carbon on the bottom of the compartment then through a finer grade of filter medium and back into the tank. it doesnt flood anymore or smell but there are all these fine white particals like dust or something witch i cant get rid of. i never had this problem with my old tank. what could be the cause and how can i fix it!.
i can supply pictures if they will help.
(sorry bout the spelling cbf)
i hit tab and space but didnt realise i posted :P silly me!
Mgamer20o0
02-13-2007, 4:01 AM
it happens
Rbishop
02-13-2007, 5:48 AM
Pictures would be nice..helps determine what equipment you have. What are your tank readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
Rbishop
02-13-2007, 5:49 AM
And...Welcome to AC!
Sammie7
02-13-2007, 9:13 AM
Did I miss something? Why isn't anybody commenting on the number of fish she has in that 4 gallon tank?:huh: Or that a purple waffle plant isn't a true aquatic and will die if submerged indefinately.:( :confused:
Gurglar
02-14-2007, 3:40 AM
First off take back the 2 bristlenoses and the molly or guppy whatever it is your tank is way overstocked! 6 tetras may be a bit to much for the tank and they do prefer a bit of swimming space as well.
Are the particles on the fish or the tank if its on the fish it might be a case of white spot.
Rbishop
02-14-2007, 5:46 AM
Did I miss something? Why isn't anybody commenting on the number of fish she has in that 4 gallon tank?:huh: Or that a purple waffle plant isn't a true aquatic and will die if submerged indefinately.:( :confused:
Sorry, was sticking to stuff I wanted to see to answer their question. We do not always have to be overstock police.
:rolleyes:
Sammie7
02-14-2007, 10:29 AM
No we don't, but it seems that the person is oblivious about the fact. We should bring it up and then see if they want to pursue that topic, possibly on another thread. That tank sounds a little more than crowded to me. It is in the fish's best interest that we tell their caregiver that they are not in the greatest conditions. How can you remedy a problem when you don't even know there is a problem?
TimmyB42386
02-14-2007, 10:17 PM
Maybe we should give them a chance before beginning the blitzkrieg attack...
Sammie7
02-14-2007, 10:36 PM
What are you talking about? I was just stating a fact that all those fish in that tank along with soon to be dying plants is not the best of situations. I never attacked anybody and I'm not a nazi.:mad2: The OP doesn't seem to realize this and I wanted to save them some headaches later on. Sheesh.:mad:
TimmyB42386
02-14-2007, 10:48 PM
I never said you were a nazi, I figured sooner or later someone would give the "Oh my god, their all going to die tomorow!" type thing. I'm sure after looking through this site for 10 minutes they will realize they are significantly overstocked, and would probably ask, there was no political association I wanted when I said blitzkrieg, but I saw the train wreck of "your overstocked" coming and him not remaining a member here for very long. Relax.
Sammie7
02-14-2007, 10:59 PM
Again, if you looked at my other posts, you would realize that I wasn't flaming them I was just bringing up a topic that was relevant to the well being of the OP's fish. As for the "blitzkrieg attack" it is known to be well associated with the Nazis and their war movements during WWll. You should always remember to choose your words carefully, especially when typing over the internet where tone and sacarsm cannot be detected. There is always more than one way to read the same message. Sorry if I seem harsh, but you are flaming at me for just trying to help out another person and I am not to sure why. I wasn't trying to cause a trainwreck. How am I possibly responsible or able to control what other people choose to post of their own free will?
TimmyB42386
02-14-2007, 11:08 PM
Im not flaming you, your over reacting. Get back on topic. If you want to argue send it in a PM.
Sammie7
02-14-2007, 11:13 PM
Do you have any pictures to post?
Atomix-MFK
02-14-2007, 11:29 PM
The white spots are probably fungus growing of the food stuck in the filter but I can't be sure without seeing what you have.
The smaller a fish tank is, the harder it is to take care of. I don't recommend 4 gallon tanks with no-name equipment to beginners. Especially if you want to keep bristlenose plecos. If you have the room, get a bigger tank. 10 gallons is good. 20 gallons is better. Port your filtration over to the new tank and add a tried and true HOB filter like a penguin 150 or an Aquaclear 30 (bigger of either is okay)
A solid set up and consistent water changes are the key to.... pretty much everything.
sorry been a bit busy lately
for starters im a bloke :)
the white stuff is floating in the water
one of the bristle noses died today but i think it was just a bad fish (it was really skinny and looked quite fkd) cause all the other fish are still fine.
its payday for me so im off to the shops to get a better filter system to improve this little tank till i can get the other tank running. also to put a deposit down for a l5ft x w2ft x h2ft maybe 3ft. i'm a carpenter by trade so im building a stand and hood to save $$$. i've rung around a bit and looking at about 80-120$ for the tank. any suggestions on a good filter system for the new tank let me know. thinking of using a canister filter.
P.S also pulled out the plant. i got it at a pet sore in a shopping centre not a fish shop.