Now I've seen how much I don't know!

[paramedicthad]

Just browsing this forum over a few days has shown me how clueless I am and probably just lucky that none of my fish have died....

While it may get some laughs, I'd like to list what I have in hopes for a list of things I need to purchase, and steps I need to add/remove/modify.

I've got a very boring 10 gallon tank, I have filled it with bottled water (no reverse osmosis, or chlorination) about 3/4" gravel.

In the tank are:
a whisper filter (2.0 or 20 I think?) Using the filter that came with it.
a small castle looking thing and a cheezy "no fishing" sign.
A small heater that is keeping the temp at approx 72 degrees F.
a bubble curtain under the gravel at the back of the tank.
a thermometer

Fish:
1 Black Skirt Tetra
1 Black Neon Tetra
3 Neon Tetra (one of which is quite small and seems timid)
1 Albino Cory
1 Orange Tetra (I'm guessing at the name, the sales lady said it was a tetra, and it looks orange, just a touch bigger than the black tetra.)

As for the water, currently I'm just changing out the water completely every couple weeks or so. I'm reading about cycling and trying to decide what to do now that I already have several fish.

The fish are fed some flaky "Tetra" food twice a day and every few days I have been feeding them a pinch of blood worms. (someone said it helped the tetra's color??)

I'd like to add some plants, not sure what to look for.
I'd also love to add a frog or a turtle, if there is even some species of either that does well in a small freshwater tank.

Thus far, the fish seem to behave just fine as far as I can tell. That albino cory is pretty funny to watch flying all over the place.

There are a lot of acronyms I see here that mean nothing to me...

So... I'm sure that I should be changing the way I take care of my tank's water....

I've also learned that my black skirt tetra has fin rot, I'm looking for mela fix to address this. Hopefully I can find this at wal-mart?

I truly hope my blind fumbling into the world of aquarium ownership is entertaining for someone, and look forward to making some improvements!!

 

[liv2padl]

keeping the temp at approx 72 degrees F.

72° is a bit low. the water temperature would be better maintained at 78°.

1 Albino Cory

corydoras catfish are really a shoaling species and do far better, i.e live longer healthier lives, when maintained in groups of 4-6. similarly for tetras. thus, i'd recommend you end up with something like 4-5 corys and 4-5 tetras.

 

[Rbishop]

Do you have a good liquid style test kit so you can give us the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, pH readings on your tank? Those same readings on your tap water?

Why did you use bottled water? There shouldn't be any need or it and you will be missing some of the nutrients you need for a healthy tank.

You don't need to change all the water out. You do need to change out some every week, like 20-30%. When removing the water, you should be vauuming the gravel to remove waste and uneaten food. When refilling, the water should be the same temperature as the tank and use a water conditioner. Do you have a conditioner now?

 

[paramedicthad]

OK... so it appears I need a better heater, a gravel vaccumn, and a test kit.. any suggestions on either?

 

[jjanoch]

a better heater could be necessary IF your current one is not adjustable to increase the heat or it is already maxed to keep the water at 72.

I would also look into the feeding, while some people do feed 2x a day, they normally feed them very little each feeding. Personally I like 1x a day and fish are used to not getting that much food, going 2 days is not uncommon.

Also I assume that the bloodworms is a substitute for 1 meal on that day, if it is a 3rd meal on those days...stop that immeadiatly. You could be over feeding them.

otherwise I think the suggestions given are good, and once we see your water test results we'll be able to suggest more.

 

[ratherbe]

Annnnnnnd, if you go to PetSmart's website and print out whatever it is that you're going to buy, on some things you can get up to 1/2 off! The API test kit sells at the store for $30+, but take a copy of the website's price and you'll get it for around $14.

p.s. 'No fishing' signs are not cheezy! lol

 

[Cory Lover]

Fish:
1 Black Skirt Tetra
1 Black Neon Tetra
3 Neon Tetra (one of which is quite small and seems timid)
1 Albino Cory
1 Orange Tetra (I'm guessing at the name, the sales lady said it was a tetra, and it looks orange, just a touch bigger than the black tetra.)

Hi,

Cory Lover to the rescue of the Albino Cory! You should get atleast two more Cories because Cories should be kept in groups. And, if kept alone, they can become quite lonely. I would return the Orange Tetra and the Black Skirt Tetra (they like being in groups and you don't have enough room for groups of them, plus the other fish you have). If you return them, get two or three more Cories, and about four more Neons, because Neons like being in big groups.

Happy fish keeping and good luck with your tank!

Cory Lover

 

[Marinemom]

Don't worry! We have all been where you are. The important thing is that you came here for answers which is more than what i had when I was starting out way back when. Ditto on the info with the cories and the tetras. They like to be in groups and will be happier and it will be a better display in your tank this way.

Marinemom

 

[jessiej83]

I'd also love to add a frog or a turtle, if there is even some species of either that does well in a small freshwater tank.

I don't think any kind of turtle would be good with fish unless you want them to be eaten.
You could get a couple of African Dwarf Frogs! They stay small and they are very entertaining little critters with alot of personality!

 

[BigRun]

I would also suggest finding a good Local Fish Store (LFS) and getting your fish from there. As a general rule their fish are much more healthy and are likely to have less diseases etc.If your Walmart is anything like my local PetSmart most of the tanks look like aquatic morgues.