Needing help with my 55

TheZoo said:
I used table salt, iodized table salt for my fishs ich treatment awhile back. It worked fine, as it has for many people who advised it to me. I know others have used other salts, which work as well. But table salt isnt a problem.
Correct. Nothing wrong with table salt at all.

Please exercise caution when increasing the heat for ich treatment while you are cycling a tank. Temperatures 86* and over can inhibit the colonization of your bacteria.

Roan
 
Thank You Roan! I am being very careful, I'm afraid to turn it up much. It's been at 80 for a couple weeks now, but I'm getting it up to 82 now. It's kind of scary for me since I have the Ghost shrimp, pleco, 1 cory left and the four frogs. I don't want to hurt anyone, can the heat hurt them?? I also have my three platys, two mollies, one sword and two silver dollars ( if I don't lose them)
 
syryjac2 said:
Thank You Roan! I am being very careful, I'm afraid to turn it up much. It's been at 80 for a couple weeks now, but I'm getting it up to 82 now. It's kind of scary for me since I have the Ghost shrimp, pleco, 1 cory left and the four frogs. I don't want to hurt anyone, can the heat hurt them?? I also have my three platys, two mollies, one sword and two silver dollars ( if I don't lose them)
They should be fine. Personally I would increase the heat to 84 and leave it there.

You have a bubble wand running, I hope? Since nitrite inhibits O2 in the bloodstream and increased temp cuts down on O2 in the water, the fish could use some extra help there. Run a bubble wand while you are cycling and until you finish the ich treatment.

When you are done cycling et al, would you please consider building up your dollar school to at least six? They are schooling fish, and will get very timid when they get a bit older. They feel much safer in larger numbers. Also, provide LOTS of tall real or fake plants at the back of the tank for them to hide behind. The more places they have to hide, the safer and braver they will feel.

Keep up the number of mollies and platys as well, or add a school of mid level fish. They need dither fish to feel safe. Dither fish are fish that are added that alert timid fish to danger. If the dither fish are not panicking or upset, then they know it's safe to come out.

One more thing, dollars startle easily and may run into the sides of the tank. This will become more noticeable when they get bigger and when you do a water change. Consider painting the sides of the tank black. This will help remind them that that's the end of the tank and they won't bash into it as much.

Hrm, I think that's it. I love our school of silver dollars. They have a LOT of personalty.

Roan
 
ROan-

Yes, I have to bubble wands in the tank! It may sound corny, but that was one of the first things I bought, I love the way they look in the tank. I will definately consider getting more silvers. I am just so afraid these aren't going to make it. I thought the littlest one looked like mouth rot. I'm not sure though. It looks kind of like he has some skin hanging losely around it, like he hurt himself possibly???? The biggest one has been hiding the last two days on the bottom. They are both still babys, just one's a little bigger. Do they go well with the other fish I have now?
 
I forgot to ask you if you could please give me some examples of dither fish, after all I am new to this
 
syryjac2 said:
I forgot to ask you if you could please give me some examples of dither fish, after all I am new to this
Any fish that will school or group mid level should should do it. The platies and mollies are good, various types of "non nipping" tetras are great. I have rummy nose tetras and rasboras with mine.

My dollars seldom hide or "freak out" at all unless they get startled or I'm changing the water.

Finny usually swims to the front of the tank when s/he sees me. S/he's a sweetie :)

Roan
 
syryjac2 said:
ROan-

Yes, I have to bubble wands in the tank! It may sound corny, but that was one of the first things I bought, I love the way they look in the tank.
I used to use them, too :) Now I just keep them for emergencies.

I will definately consider getting more silvers. I am just so afraid these aren't going to make it. I thought the littlest one looked like mouth rot. I'm not sure though. It looks kind of like he has some skin hanging losely around it, like he hurt himself possibly????
He could have run into the side of the tank, or it could be from the water conditions. Try to keep the nitrites and ammonia .25 or lower.

The biggest one has been hiding the last two days on the bottom. They are both still babys, just one's a little bigger. Do they go well with the other fish I have now?
Yes, they're fine. You'll also fine that they will grow VERY fast when you give them the space they need. WHich you are doing -- KUDOS! We bought ours in August of last year, silver dollar-sized, and they have quadrupled their size at least.

Finny is a "rescue" dollar we got a little over a month ago and is at least 5-6" in size. They thought Finny was 5 or 6 years old. Silver is about an ich smaller than him/her and s/he's about a year old now.

Roan
 
WOW!! I knew that they got a pretty good size, but it sounds like they will grow super fast. Yours sound like they are alot of fun to watch. I've enjoyed mine no longer than I've had them. They are definately favorites in my tank. I'm going to go test my water as I haven't done that yet this morning. I'm hoping it's better.
 
Thanks Roan!! You've been so helpful, and very kind!! I hope your on if I need more help. My readings are either .5 or1 for both Ammonia and Nitrites. I have a hard time deciding exactly which one. I usually go with the higher to be safe. I'm having trouble getting my temp. to get up. It's just now going towards 82. I looked at your tanks. They are beautiful!!!!! Thanks again!! :bowing:
 
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