looking for information

[caseopia]

Hey everyone-- I came across this site last weekend and it has really sparked my interest.

I have been caring for a 35 gallon hexagonal tank for about a year now, with moderate success (i'm not sure how, since i have no idea what i'm doing!) and I just recently added some new fish.

I am embarrassed to admit that terms such as "cycling" hold no meaning to me, and I want to find out more information, before i lose my fish. Can anyone suggest a good online or book resource that would provide me with such information? I have been so impressed with the beautiful tanks that some of you have, i would love to be able to keep mine that way!

Thanks!

My tank:

(the original gang- about 3 years old)
4 tetras- 2 zebra, 2?
some sort of small catfish
*RIP "big fish" (kissing gourami- i miss that guy!)

(the newbies- arrived about a week ago)
balloon molly
swordtail
black molly
bala shark (not my idea!)
gold dust molly
pleco

 

[StreetCypher]

I think this forum is a great resource. You get advise and information from people that have first hand dealt with almost everything. I have never read a single aquarium book, everything i know is from what i've learned reading past threads and asking questions.

 

[N8DOGG]

The bala and the pleco will be to large for that tank, you'll need to bring them back. And the bala would do better in a school.

How do you care for the tank? Do you do water changes? Do you have test kits? Most likely your tanked cycled when it was first set up, it may go through a mini cycle as you added fish so water changes are needed. At least once a week of about 30-50% of the water. Also you can read about cycle in the cycle sticky.

EDIT : I need english lessons again

 

[caseopia]

yeah, the guy at the pet store told us we can exchange the pleco when it starts to get too big- right now it is only about 3 inches long, tops.

as for the bala, i was quite concerned myself when my boyfriend's brother brought it to my tank- i told him he needs to find a new home for it when it gets too big (right now it's just a baby)

I feed my fish a few times a day with flake food and sometimes sinking pellets, and I have pH and ammonia test kits (i need to get one for nitrates)- the water is testing well so far. I have not changed the water except for during moves and when topping off-- how does one go about refilling 17 gallons of water? (obviously not from the hose) In the past I have topped off by letting a large bucket of tap water sit out for a day or two before filling the tank.

so many questions!

 

[Nuriel]

I use a aquarium vac and siphon the water out that way while cleaning out debris at the same time. I just siph the water either into a 5 gallon bucket or out of a window, depending on which tank I am cleaning (one is next to a window). Then I wipe the walls of the tanks and clean certain items that look like they need it, clean my filter "screen" at the bottom of my filter, and change the carbon in my filter. Sometimes I will rearrange things a bit in the tank then at this time. Then I refill the bucket with tap water from my tub to make sure I get it the right tempeture. I add the conditioner/chlorine remover to the water (8 drops per gallon, in my case) and refill my tank. I like doing it, sometimes I change the water like twice a week.

 

[daveedka]

This may sound weird to some folkes, but "Aquariums for Dummies" Is a good place to start. it will give you a lot of basic info, and probably raise a lot of questions. IMO it is just the kind of book every beginner should read, and therefore is quite handy for anyone seeking to learn more. Just for the record, I had tanks for 10 years before I knew about the nitrogen cycle, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. In reality I have probably killed more fish than most people will ever own, and almost gave up a couple of times because of it. There is far more bad info out there than good, so question everything and learn all you can. If you search for a post called "usefull links" It was a sticky for a while, and gives a bunch of really good links to great sites as well. My personal favorite is the skeptical aquarist.
Dave

 

[Gunnie]

caseopia,
You may want to consider purchasing a python to make tank maintenance easier. I have seen they are even selling them at some of the WalMarts around here. That's what I use, and can't imagine cleaning my 5 tanks ranging from 10 gal. to 100 gal. without it!

 

[caseopia]

thanks gunnie- i actually have a python, but unfortunately it's not long enough to reach my sink!

 

[Gunnie]

You can purchase extra hose in 25 ft. lengths to fit your python set up. Check with your local lfs or look online at www.drsfostersmith.com or Big Al's. Having a python and not being able to use it would drive me crazy!