Greetings, I'm Christine and I am looking for advice on keeping my existing fish happy. After years of being tankless I bought one for relaxation and enjoyment in my home office, which has turned out to be 10 gallons of anxiety. I made the mistake of not doing simple research and relying on the advice of a local aquarium shop. I wanted a small tank for easy maintenance, simple active colorful fish that would get along and minimal breeding concern (no baby fish ordeals) Upon discussing this with the store owner twice, he steered me into a situation that has brought me here.
Fish: 3 Mollies 1 pregnant female, 2 males (yikes) 1 cory cat, 1 banjo cat and 3 flying foxes
Tank: 10 gallons running 3.5 weeks (Upgrading to 30 gallons, purchase this week)
Water source: Improperly maintained well water (store bought maintenance drops)
Water Quality: Buying test kit today, clear, well aerated, filter efficient and running
Fish: Appear very healthy and active, no sign of disease, major stress concerns with mollies (gender ratio is off)
My intentions are to have my new 30 gallon tank up and running within the next 3-4 weeks and making this modification final and long term happy residents.
My areas of concern:
1) Molly gender ratio: what is the most appropriate ratio, using the least amount of fish, to minimize stress, stalking, bullying, minimize births
2) Live bearers: I'm a softee and an animal lover, but to be honest, I am inclined to let nature take it's course and let the fry go as a food source. Is this frowned upon?
I don't want a an excessive amount of fish and fixing the gender ratio just seems like I am digging a deeper hole here.
3) Brackish water: How difficult is it to maintain a brackish tank, I am willing to for optimal health, however I am conflicted about whether this is necessary for their quality of life. How about catfish and flying foxes in brackish water?
4) Cycling/algae: I am fairly acquainted with microbiology, I understand the logic of thriving and transferring bacteria, but I am looking for some guidelines:
Starting 30 gallon tank: Should I use water from existing tank? Can I culture bacteria from existing filter for transfer? Using fish to cycle, yes or no? If so, who should
help out with that? Plants for cycling, anything I can use to help move things along? Algae, I would like to provide them with it, but I don't want a filthy tank with
a strong odor, ideas?
Thanks in advance, it is greatly appreciated.
-Christine
Fish: 3 Mollies 1 pregnant female, 2 males (yikes) 1 cory cat, 1 banjo cat and 3 flying foxes
Tank: 10 gallons running 3.5 weeks (Upgrading to 30 gallons, purchase this week)
Water source: Improperly maintained well water (store bought maintenance drops)
Water Quality: Buying test kit today, clear, well aerated, filter efficient and running
Fish: Appear very healthy and active, no sign of disease, major stress concerns with mollies (gender ratio is off)
My intentions are to have my new 30 gallon tank up and running within the next 3-4 weeks and making this modification final and long term happy residents.
My areas of concern:
1) Molly gender ratio: what is the most appropriate ratio, using the least amount of fish, to minimize stress, stalking, bullying, minimize births
2) Live bearers: I'm a softee and an animal lover, but to be honest, I am inclined to let nature take it's course and let the fry go as a food source. Is this frowned upon?
I don't want a an excessive amount of fish and fixing the gender ratio just seems like I am digging a deeper hole here.
3) Brackish water: How difficult is it to maintain a brackish tank, I am willing to for optimal health, however I am conflicted about whether this is necessary for their quality of life. How about catfish and flying foxes in brackish water?
4) Cycling/algae: I am fairly acquainted with microbiology, I understand the logic of thriving and transferring bacteria, but I am looking for some guidelines:
Starting 30 gallon tank: Should I use water from existing tank? Can I culture bacteria from existing filter for transfer? Using fish to cycle, yes or no? If so, who should
help out with that? Plants for cycling, anything I can use to help move things along? Algae, I would like to provide them with it, but I don't want a filthy tank with
a strong odor, ideas?
Thanks in advance, it is greatly appreciated.
-Christine
