PLEASE HELP!!! 2 Aquarium problems

i agree with most here that the size of the tank at the lfs is not indicative of a stable or comfortable habitat for the particular fish kept in it. there are multiple lfs here in san antonio and some keep a huge tank full of cichilids, not really the ideal habitat, a bunch of fish, 40 or more, all living in a glass box that holds 100 gallons of water... but again, fish dont naturally habitate ANY glass box, this hobby is more for human comfort in all reality.

This does not mean however that you should not care for your fish and make their life as good as it can be.

I learned alot about my tank stocking here and will pass this on, rbishops advice has been nearly flawless in my book, definitley a reliable guy.

the other part of it is, check the full lengths of full grown fish of each species, this will ensure that your tank is big enough for them all to grow comfortably, Trust me, I had some serious stocking issues when i got started and now between my 2 tanks i have sorted things out quite well.

i hope everything gets stable for your tanks, the 2 year thing is an issue tho, many fish are able to grow to full size in as short a time as 6 months, others take far longer. your plecos however will outgrow that tank and at 4' really are already too large. my 2 plecos are each nearly 9" and I feel that 55 gallons is ample space but some here would definitley disagree with even that.

good luck and feel free to ask anything that i may be able to help with!
 
Hmm...looks like maybe I'll just end up getting a larger tank. Anybody have any experience with moving aquariums? Maybe I'll keep the 15 gall running for a quarantine tank just incase anything happens (meaning I'm not getting any more fish, but incase one gets sick)...but then what???

Maybe I'll get a 29 gallon for now. I know when we move I'll be getting up to a 55 gall in our bedroom and a 100+ gallon for the living room. The benefit of just getting the 29 for now would be that when we move, I can just cycle the tanks at home before I bring the fish over...UNLESS it could work that I get a 55 gall., and just siphon the water into clean buckets, transport the fish, and set it up at our new house with all of the "original" water...

oh boy, I just really confused myself...congradulations to anyone who can decipher what the heck I'm talking about.
 
you are trying to do the right thing.. kudo's to you.
as for water changes..on a cycling tank...do thaem as needed to keep ammonia and nitrite to .25 or less.

I never jump to conclusions regarding plecos( I prefer to call them armored catfish)..there are too many of them to determine if yours will get too large..suffice it to say that a 'common'(nothing really common about commons) will usually grow too large for most typical systmes..some of the commons will grow to 2' and would need a very large tank..others may top out at 10-11" still too big for a 55 but will work in a 100.
btw there are plenty of species that will work in a smaller system..just not all of them are 'algae' eaters.

hang in there
 
So I got an email the other day...That Fish Place/That Pet Place (thatpetplace.com) is having a 35th anniversary sale on 4/19 & 4/20. They're not too far away and I was planning on going anyway "just because", but I see now that they have select "Perfecto" aquariums on sale for $1/gallon...anybody have any experience with this brand???
 
Perfecto's are good and for $1/G you can't beat it! :thumbsup:
 
Charise, I have just recently made the move with a 55 gallon, a friend gave me his and I will tell you, it was not as hard as I thought, and way harder than I prefer to work when im not getting paid!

I will tell you that the most important thing i found was being very careful while driving, it is after all, a huge glass box. After all is said and done, its much easier to put new water into the tank, if its brand new, you will need to cycle it regardless.

Another big thing about moving the tank that I got lucky on, make sure there is a hose in the area, trying to fill 55 gallons with 5 gallon buckets... in short, sucks. I live in a condo/apartment that has waterhoses on each building but I know that is a very rare ammenity, these were built in the 60's when that sort of thing still was used to water the plants.

I hope this info helps and I really do suggest getting the 55 gallon that is going to be on sale, thats a great price for that aquarium, My 20 gallon is top fin and I do NOT reccomend using any top fin products for the most part. If you need more reasons as to why i have a list...

happy fishkeeping!
 
Thanks so much everyone!!!

I actually remembered that my LFS had a 55 gallon for sale with stand (looked nice, too). So I called them up today and it's $299 for the tank, stand, hood, and lights..I thought that price was pretty darn good...any thoughts? I'll try to find out what brand it is tomorrow.

So here's a new question...I always check on my fish before I leave for work, what with the Elephant Nose being so picky and the new fry in my 10 gallon...So I turned on the light in the 10 gallon, and there are all these little white bugs all over the glass in the water!!! They looked like larvae of some sort. I kind of freaked out (I'm so not a bug person!), went to work, and decided that when I got back home I'd ask you guys on here anyway...well, I came home only to find out that my fish must've had a really good breakfast because they were all gone!!!
I just don't understand where they came from??? I feed the Mollies flake food, but I also gave them some frozen brine shrimp for a treat the other day. Could it have been from that? And if so, then why didn't the other tank get these ugly bugs???
 
Any more details about the "bugs"?

Also, is it possible to still visit the 1$/gallon sale? You should get the 100 gallon now instead of later, for the health of the fish and because of how much money you'll save. The elephant nose would be healthier in a larger tank, and would grow properly. Best to try to get the tank now, and get some styrofoam, a few friends and a pickup later.
 
I am going there too. You do realize the SMALLEST tank @ $1/G starts at 75G?
And I suggest going with that. Make it the bedroom one when you move. Get a 125 for living room. Your current fish will love you for it. And if you DONT get something bigger, those mollie fry are going to make someone a good meal. And parents WILL eat them if they can.

Now to see if you can help your tank NOW. Either get to a Petco and get their "bacteria" starter(about $5 for 16 oz) or get "Cycle" from any petstore. I double dosed. Some here dont use it. Keep in mind, it cant hurt, but it could help.

Did you see the 55 G complete set up will be $199?

For those planning to buy these tanks, be prepared to have to have to use a price match at a different store. I dont see there being enough tanks for all who plan to get them?
 
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