jack dempsey -- male??
- Thread starter sweetmail
- Start date
You can if you want to spend the money. They want you to change it cause the activated carbon is no use after a few weeks. To save money you can just take it out every month and rinse it off in old tank water to get it unclogged. I have two filter pads in each of my filters and i replace one of them a month but i got a good deal on a whole bunch of extra filter replacements so it doesnt cost me much. You should buy a heater and a thermeter for the tank. I usually keep my tanks at about 78 degrees. You should also buy a API master test kit so you can monitor Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate and PH levels. You want to keep Ammonia at 0, Nitrites at 0 and Nitrates at 40ppm or lower. Since the tank did not get to "cycle" before you put the JD in it you really want to keep an eye on your Ammonia levels and when you see it rise do a partial water change to lower it. I didnt knwo any of this stuff when i got into the hobby and i was in the same situation you were. I just bought a tank and throw a whole bunch of fish into it.
If you really spend some time in the "Newbie" section you can learn alot. What people were saying about the JD needing a much bigger tank is true. Once you have enough money go out and buy your self a 55 gallon. Dont get him a girlfriend until then.
If you are looking for a good buy on a tank try checking your cities craigslist, alot of people sell their stuff on craigslist for a good price.
I've gotten two 55 gallon tanks with everything i need for them for only $80 total for the two, one was free with a pine stand, filters, heaters, etc... other one was $80 with a iron stand, heaters, filters, etc....
So check on there for great prices.
As for the JD, I agree you'll need at the minimum a 55g tank or larger, this is because Male JD's can reach 12" and yes I've seen that big in tanks. As for feeder fish, I'd just go with some good cichlid pellets for every day feeding, and some brine shrimp or bloodworms once a week as a treat.
You'll need to keep up with 25% weekly water changes to keep the ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites down. If weekly changes are to much for you, you can do 40% changes every 2 weeks. Don't forget to vacuum the gravel at least twice a month to remove any uneaten food and fish waste.
I've gotten two 55 gallon tanks with everything i need for them for only $80 total for the two, one was free with a pine stand, filters, heaters, etc... other one was $80 with a iron stand, heaters, filters, etc....
So check on there for great prices.
As for the JD, I agree you'll need at the minimum a 55g tank or larger, this is because Male JD's can reach 12" and yes I've seen that big in tanks. As for feeder fish, I'd just go with some good cichlid pellets for every day feeding, and some brine shrimp or bloodworms once a week as a treat.
You'll need to keep up with 25% weekly water changes to keep the ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites down. If weekly changes are to much for you, you can do 40% changes every 2 weeks. Don't forget to vacuum the gravel at least twice a month to remove any uneaten food and fish waste.
Dear God...............
You need at LEAST a 55 gallon tank. That will probably not be great for him for life. If you can't get a tank that size and get it soon then take the fish to your local fish store so they can give him a proper home.
You need at LEAST a 55 gallon tank. That will probably not be great for him for life. If you can't get a tank that size and get it soon then take the fish to your local fish store so they can give him a proper home.
