Needing help with my 55

[darli]

Hello! I am curious about using a rubbermaid container. When I get my tank cycled and this ich taken care of I am definately going to have somewhere for my new fish to stay for a couple weeks to make sure they are well before I let them in my 55. I didn't know if they need to be in a tank or if they can stay in a container that long. I'm just wondering about the whole cycling thing again. That's what scares me about using a container. I'm trying to not spend alot now, that's why I thought about trying this. I realize I would need a pump so they get plenty of oxygen. I don't know maybe I just need a tank!!

Hi, I kind of feel responsible for the container idea so here is what I would do (although, as Roan has given ou very good advice up to now, wait for her/his opinion )

Get a big enough container, put 50% of your tank water inside.
Add your bubble bar and a small filter (with only coton media, no carbon)
If you can, get your heater in there
Add your fish.
SLOWLY Add the other 50% of new water (don't forget the salt ).
change 15-25% of the water EVERY DAY. This will prevent the N02 and Nh4 to go up.
Continue your salt treatment and keep the temp high (84-86)
Your fish can go a for a week of two....
During this time, keep watching your tank. As soon as your levels are close to 0, introduce the fish GRADUALY: 1-2 at a time on several days or weeks if you can.... Your cycle will remain fragile for some time. I suggest you do NOT introduce any new ones for several weeks after the ones you have are all in.

One last suggestion (If I may) Mollies and Silver dollars are not a compatible match: Mollies enjoy harder water and Ph levels over 7.4 - 8.0 as for Silver dollars require softer water and Ph levels mor in the 6.5-7.0 range. This of course is a personal opinion to keep fish that require same water types :thm:

Good luck and I look forward to reading how things go.

 

[darli]

Correct. Nothing wrong with table salt at all.

Roan

Hi, Iodized salt is not recommended only because Iodine is not naturaly present in the water most species are used to in nature. I will not harm them but ongoing use may lead to toxic deposits, non-iodized is easy to find in the supermarket so why take the risk ?

 

[darli]

Syryjac: Definatley listen to Roan, she really know's what she is talking about (not that others don't....they do) but she was who I was hoping would chime in when I told you to come here!
BTW I agree your tanks are GREAT Roan!

Gin :joke:

I totally agree on the tanks, they are gorgeous !!! Very impressive collection
Also on the "she really know's what she is talking about" :thm: :clap:

 

[Roan Art]

Hi, Iodized salt is not recommended only because Iodine is not naturaly present in the water most species are used to in nature. I will not harm them but ongoing use may lead to toxic deposits, non-iodized is easy to find in the supermarket so why take the risk ?

First of all, no one should be adding salt to their tank on a permanent basis. Freshwater fish are not pickles, although some people seem to think they are

As for the rest, please read this:

http://aquafacts.net/wiki/index.php/All_Salt_Was_Not_Created_Equal

Again, it does not matter if you use iodized or non-iodized salt. Same with "anti caking" agents. You can either look for salt that does not contain them or not worry about it. There's not enough in there to hurt fish.

And you won't have to worry about your fish sticking together during treatment

Roan

 

[Roan Art]

I totally agree on the tanks, they are gorgeous !!! Very impressive collection
Also on the "she really know's what she is talking about" :thm: :clap:

Thanks guys and darli. I appreciate it

I do have to add, though, that I most of what I know right here on AC. Posts from people like RTR, Daveeka, plantbrain, djlen, happychem, TMQP, nursie -- too many to mention -- and *tons* of research on the web, as well as practical application of many of the concepts.

Blah. Thanks

Roan

 

[Roan Art]

Container idea sounds great and not much different, I think, than how pond keepers winter their goldies and koi.

. . .One last suggestion (If I may) Mollies and Silver dollars are not a compatible match: Mollies enjoy harder water and Ph levels over 7.4 - 8.0 as for Silver dollars require softer water and Ph levels mor in the 6.5-7.0 range. This of course is a personal opinion to keep fish that require same water types :thm:

Well, except for certain species in specific circumstances, fish don't really care about pH, so don't even worry about that.

You are correct that mollies "prefer" harder water and dollars "prefer" softer water, however the majority of fish in the hobby are farm bred and raised in vats and tanks filled with local water.

Also, to clarify, it's water low in TDS that dollars need so a harder water that is kept pristine -- large regular water changes so that no DOCs build up -- should make them pretty happy.

Fish can also adapt pretty darn good and unless you are attempting to breed them, I wouldn't worry about the hardness of the water too much.

Having said that, I keep my dollars in soft water only because my water in my unfertilized tanks is soft, but I also have had platies in there as well -- which you know "prefer" harder water -- with no problems at all. Bred their heads off, dang things. Also in the same tank is a school of rummy nose (mucho soft) and a school of rasboras (hard again). The rasboras spawn all the time, though I've yet to see any fry because the SAE eat all the eggs, no doubt.

Other side: I have neons and glolites in a heavy planted tank that gets regular doses of magnesium and calcium for the plants. Water is pretty darn hard in there and I've had them about a year now.

Roan

 

[Lady G]

Thanks guys and darli. I appreciate it

I do have to add, though, that I most of what I know right here on AC. Posts from people like RTR, Daveeka, plantbrain, djlen, happychem, TMQP, nursie -- too many to mention -- and *tons* of research on the web, as well as practical application of many of the concepts.

Blah. Thanks

Roan

AWWWW, a few names I remember well! Daveeka, happychem, RTR, and nursie all helped me and "held my hand" through the MANY newbie mistakes of my first tank! Daveeka always had such a way about him... like a father figure of aquaria central!!
Thanks so much guys/gals I have very happy, healthy fishies thanks to you all!!

 

[syryjac2]

Darli and Roan-

Thanks so much for all the advice!!!! I absorb everything like a sponge believe me, I need all the help I can get.

Roan- I'm so glad you think the hardness of my water won't matter, cause being new that's something that didn't even cross my mind. I'm also glad you think my Mollie, platys and Silvers will be okay together. You guys are a great help to me....... Thank You both again!!!!!