I have an upright, submersible water filter (blucompact 01) and i put it vertically in my tank. One of my neon tetras enjoys hiding behind it, is this normal? Also, how big do neon tetras grow? At the moment mine are about 2cm. Do fish REALLY need light at night or is it something they can do with out?
Is this normal?+ How big do Neon Tetras Grow+Lights
- Thread starter mattmt
- Start date
I had a neon who liked to hide also. I think they feel more comfortable the more of them there are to an extent... but they enjoy getting behind plants and stuff too. I think it makes them feel more secure.
As for lights, I leave my lights off during the day and it is dark in that room and then when we get home, the lights get turned on and stay on until bedtime. They should have 7-8 hours of light a day. I think, particularly if not near a window etc, that it really doesn't matter when they get those hours as long as you try to keep it consistent.
As for lights, I leave my lights off during the day and it is dark in that room and then when we get home, the lights get turned on and stay on until bedtime. They should have 7-8 hours of light a day. I think, particularly if not near a window etc, that it really doesn't matter when they get those hours as long as you try to keep it consistent.
Neon tetras don't get big. I think max maybe an inch. I have had fish hide behind my heaters and filters. I agree that it makes them feel safer. I don't have lights on any of my tanks since my house is very bright and the tanks are close to the windows. They don't get direct light from the sun though.
thanks for all the replies, im quite new at this 
also, about the water cycles, i bought this chemical thing that balances out the ammonia level in the water, should i still have left the tank a few weeks?
also, about the water cycles, i bought this chemical thing that balances out the ammonia level in the water, should i still have left the tank a few weeks?
Did you actually cycle the tank?
A chemical that reduces ammonia isn't a replacement for a tank cycle. About the only thing I have read works at all to speed up a cycle is Bio Spira... thats live beneficial bacteria. A chemical that 'balances ammonia' isn't likely to help you gain your biological filter any sooner.. what product did you use?
I'm guessing that what you have just done, essentially, is started a fishy cycle since you didn't cycle the tank in a normal fashion (most of those products are considered to be snake oil, so it really depends on what you used). That means you should have a test kit and be testing your water quality daily and do partial water changes as frequently as necessary to keep your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in check. Your tank isn't cycled until you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite readings and are showing nitrates.
Good luck!
A chemical that reduces ammonia isn't a replacement for a tank cycle. About the only thing I have read works at all to speed up a cycle is Bio Spira... thats live beneficial bacteria. A chemical that 'balances ammonia' isn't likely to help you gain your biological filter any sooner.. what product did you use?
I'm guessing that what you have just done, essentially, is started a fishy cycle since you didn't cycle the tank in a normal fashion (most of those products are considered to be snake oil, so it really depends on what you used). That means you should have a test kit and be testing your water quality daily and do partial water changes as frequently as necessary to keep your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in check. Your tank isn't cycled until you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite readings and are showing nitrates.
Good luck!
replace water as needed..ideally you should have 0 ammonia..but during the cycle try to keep ammonia at ,.25 ppm..the same for nitrites which you should start seeing .
you may have to replace 50% of the water at times.
btw, neons tend to get about 1.3-1.5 "
you may have to replace 50% of the water at times.
btw, neons tend to get about 1.3-1.5 "
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are you adding it to the tank?thanks for all the replies, im quite new at this
it may be doing more bad than "good".
you should do a water change and stop adding this "ammonia reducer."
BTW, if it is Amquel or Amquel+, they do not remove ammona, they only detoxify it.
I checked with my pet store and he told me that it was to add to the water just in case fish got sick, to make the water a bit safer. I feed my fish twice a day? Is that too much? I've noticed that these fish don't rush for the food like my old goldfish but rather, they occasionally take a small bite from some food on the bottom.