I have a heater in the tank that will heat up to 15 gallon tank between 76 and 78 degrees. I also have a couple aponogeton plants in the tank as well.
Tanks gone wrong!
- Thread starter BigRog
- Start date
Is this a pre-set heater or does it have a dial on it that you can set the temperature? Do you have a thermometer in the tank, and if so, what temp does it read? Pre-set heaters can overheat the water.
Seems like it's been a rough time for you!
There are many things you can do with a 5 gallon tank. You said you would upgrade in the future so for now I say stick with the 5 gallon. Ok So like many have said the shark needs to be rehomed. They are very active and territorial and do best in a larger tank. Now you said you have a dwarf blue gourami. I think if you staid on top of the water changes he could live happily in your 5 gallon.
Other options are:
A betta. Sounds simple but they are a fun "bigger" fish that can be happy in a 5 gallon.
An invert tank- This is a personal favorite. My 5 gallon is a tank that is full of different shrimp and snails. They are constantly busy and doing something and are pretty easy tot take care of once the tank is mature.
Some nano fish- There are many species of very small fish that can do quite well in a 5 gallon tank. Ember tetras were mention earlier, there are also dario dario (can be tough to feed them), dwarf puffers, dwarf cories, and many species of tiny tetras and rasboras.
Guppies- 2 male guppies would be pretty happy in this tank. Just make sure to get 2 males so they don't over populate. Guppies are hardy and came in many different colors.
I don't think you need to get an upgrade now. A 5 gallon is very workable and there are many options. Small tanks can be more of a challenge due to the water volume. But once they are set up with plants and appropriate stocking, you can have a fun and entertaining tank.
There are many things you can do with a 5 gallon tank. You said you would upgrade in the future so for now I say stick with the 5 gallon. Ok So like many have said the shark needs to be rehomed. They are very active and territorial and do best in a larger tank. Now you said you have a dwarf blue gourami. I think if you staid on top of the water changes he could live happily in your 5 gallon.
Other options are:
A betta. Sounds simple but they are a fun "bigger" fish that can be happy in a 5 gallon.
An invert tank- This is a personal favorite. My 5 gallon is a tank that is full of different shrimp and snails. They are constantly busy and doing something and are pretty easy tot take care of once the tank is mature.
Some nano fish- There are many species of very small fish that can do quite well in a 5 gallon tank. Ember tetras were mention earlier, there are also dario dario (can be tough to feed them), dwarf puffers, dwarf cories, and many species of tiny tetras and rasboras.
Guppies- 2 male guppies would be pretty happy in this tank. Just make sure to get 2 males so they don't over populate. Guppies are hardy and came in many different colors.
I don't think you need to get an upgrade now. A 5 gallon is very workable and there are many options. Small tanks can be more of a challenge due to the water volume. But once they are set up with plants and appropriate stocking, you can have a fun and entertaining tank.
today I got another albino rainbow and a sword tail. I took the gouarmi back to the LFS and exchanged him for the 2 new ones. they are all 3 getting along just fine. Mainly I think because they are all 3 still small. none are over 2.5 inches long at the moment. I was also told that even if it was a freshwater tank I sill needed to add salt. If this is true could someone tell me , and the amount to add. I am thinking that before the fish get to the size where they need to actually be in a larger tank , I will have had the time to find and purchase one and get it set up, correctly.
Hi Big ROg,
Also feel sorry about the trouble....but my opinion: DONT BUY GOURAME (we call it GURAMI in Indonesia and it is common fish to consume for us).
From my experience, Gurami is one "naughty fish" and you may not combine them with other fish.
Like you said, yes, it can attack your finger since they are thinking: wow, big worm!!! (they really like it).
Dont do a big tank thing if you now whats bother the shark cos those gourames wont let your shark in peace.......U need to seperate them and believe it or not, gourames are tough fish!! THey wont die even you have a dirty water tank, no aeration machine (but proper air circulation such as in the pond) and the funny thing is........they eat green vegetables. But for the sake of the animal and if you still want to keep it nice ur Gourames, give them proper food and aeration or filter (common one) so they can grow nicely.
As the shark, leave him alone and to find his "pals", be sure to check on internet before you buy your favorite fish. DONT JUST TRUST THE SELLER. I dont say they are lying or so, but sometimes fish is weird.....in this tank they will be at peace but at the other tank, they battle to have a better spot even tough the same fish you buy.
Note: When you change all of your water, dont just put fish because actually it is not AMONIA issue, the tap water is ok for us to drink but for some fish, they will die immediately when you put them in your "NEWEST" pour water (since the pH is not yet steady).
So, the best thing is just let the your new water in the tank for 2-3days then put the new fish wisely, meaning: dont put it over stock...! they also need room to breath and play or swim.
Hope that might help. Good luck!
Also feel sorry about the trouble....but my opinion: DONT BUY GOURAME (we call it GURAMI in Indonesia and it is common fish to consume for us).
From my experience, Gurami is one "naughty fish" and you may not combine them with other fish.
Like you said, yes, it can attack your finger since they are thinking: wow, big worm!!! (they really like it).
Dont do a big tank thing if you now whats bother the shark cos those gourames wont let your shark in peace.......U need to seperate them and believe it or not, gourames are tough fish!! THey wont die even you have a dirty water tank, no aeration machine (but proper air circulation such as in the pond) and the funny thing is........they eat green vegetables. But for the sake of the animal and if you still want to keep it nice ur Gourames, give them proper food and aeration or filter (common one) so they can grow nicely.
As the shark, leave him alone and to find his "pals", be sure to check on internet before you buy your favorite fish. DONT JUST TRUST THE SELLER. I dont say they are lying or so, but sometimes fish is weird.....in this tank they will be at peace but at the other tank, they battle to have a better spot even tough the same fish you buy.
Note: When you change all of your water, dont just put fish because actually it is not AMONIA issue, the tap water is ok for us to drink but for some fish, they will die immediately when you put them in your "NEWEST" pour water (since the pH is not yet steady).
So, the best thing is just let the your new water in the tank for 2-3days then put the new fish wisely, meaning: dont put it over stock...! they also need room to breath and play or swim.
Hope that might help. Good luck!
One goldfish needs at least 15 gallons. To house 8 goldies, you need 120 g tank, not a 1.5 g tank.
That's NOT cycling! You are doing water changes. Cycling means to allow the tank to develop the beneficial bacteria. I suggest you do research on cycling, maintaining a tank and fish compatibility before buying any more fish.
:iagree:with everything you said.
You are still using the 5g right? I am glad to hear that you have a heater.
At ~2.5", your rainbow sharks already outgrew a 20g tank. Also, not too long from now, the sharks will become very territorial and will start to fight each other. It can go to the point of death.
I would not recommend using salt with your rainbows.
I still believe that unless you plan on having a 30ish gallon tank for each rainbow, then you should return them and look for something more suited to your current setup.
You are still using the 5g right? I am glad to hear that you have a heater.
At ~2.5", your rainbow sharks already outgrew a 20g tank. Also, not too long from now, the sharks will become very territorial and will start to fight each other. It can go to the point of death.
I would not recommend using salt with your rainbows.
I still believe that unless you plan on having a 30ish gallon tank for each rainbow, then you should return them and look for something more suited to your current setup.
Please return the rainbow sharks unless you plan to set up at least a 55g tank very soon. If the LFS doesn't accept a return any more, donate them. In a 5g tank, it's just a matter of time before they will die.
You can have a betta or a couple guppies in a 5g. Also, don't get schooling or shoaling fish (e.g., tetra, rasbora, cory) although each of them looks small. A 5g is too small for a school or a shoal.
Also, exchange the preset heater with a temp-adjustable heater. The former in a 5g is likely to boil the water.
Good luck
You can have a betta or a couple guppies in a 5g. Also, don't get schooling or shoaling fish (e.g., tetra, rasbora, cory) although each of them looks small. A 5g is too small for a school or a shoal.
Also, exchange the preset heater with a temp-adjustable heater. The former in a 5g is likely to boil the water.
Good luck
I know this now, before you even said this, and I've read about the cycling and have started it already, but thank you for your concern. I just have another question. I've read on several sites that my redtail shark can have a 10 gallon for a sufficient home so I would really maybe only need a 20 gallon tank for both fish?
