Very new... To fishkeeping

Discussion in 'New members' started by BradK, Nov 18, 2018.

  1. BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    Hi.


    Keeping fish again after 18 years, last was when I was kid in a school. Wife bought a 2 foot for the son and now I'm hooked .

    I had to learn fast. The nitrogen cycle almost got me. Was a tough 4 weeks, 4 deaths . I think I got too much fish but it does not look over crowded.

    So hoping to learn alot here before I upgrade. To a new tank.

    Thanks guys.
     
  2. Guest




  3. Pezulu

    Pezulu

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2015
    Messages:
    3,417
    Likes Received:
    1,393
    Location:
    Centurion
    Hi, and welcome to TASA, as well as getting back into fish keeping.
    What fish do you have in your 2ft tank?
    Any pics?
     
  4. OP
    BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    Thanks.

    I got 8 neons. 4 Tiger Barbs. 5 Serpae tets. A Gourami. 1 Angel. The fish are doing good. Colours are popping and are very active. But I need a bigger tank already.

    I wanted to know. I ordered a aquaclear 30. What's the process of installing. Should I remove the corner filter first and then install or leave it for a couple days then remove it.

    I'll do some pics as soon as I put in the new gravel. This tank was basically a kit for my son. From a pet shop and everything glowed in the dark lmao. I'm slowly making it more natural looking.
     
  5. Amakawa

    Amakawa

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Messages:
    893
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Midvaal
    Whats inside of the corner filter now? Charcoal and filter floss I assume? Install the Aquaclear but take the filter floss out of the corner filter and put in the Aquaclear. Reason being is your beneficial bacteria lives in your filter ( as well as on your substrate, decor,etc). Some may suggest leaving the corner filter as is and install the Aquaclear, giving time for bacteria to establish in the new filter before removing the old one. I suggest getting some Seachem Matrix and putting that in your Aquaclear as well.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2018
  6. Amakawa

    Amakawa

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Messages:
    893
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Midvaal
    Thats a large bioload for such a small tank. I would suggest you return, rehome or invest in a bigger tank asap. Tiger barbs and Serpae Tetras are nortorious fin nippers and can harass your angel and gourami to death. If you plan on keeping all the fish....you can get some Seachem Stability to help the biological filter catch up. Just dose the recommended amount. I would also consider more frequent water changes as well with so many fish in a 2ft tank. Dont mean to be a downer, just trying to help ;)
     
  7. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal
    Hi and welcome to TASA

    I agree that its way too many fish for such a small tank
    If you getting a new tank very soon, then go for it but if its still going to take a while then i also suggest maybe you take some fish back
    As has been said, the barbs, and this applies to most species, are notorious fin nippers and are best kept in a species only tank so think about what you going to do when you upgrade and either go barbs only or replace the barbs with something more in line with the gourmands and angels
    As for the filters, it doesnt really make a big difference whether ou leave the existing one on for a while or you transfer the media from the existing one to the new one just dont let the media dry out while you do it and dont rinse it in tap water
     
  8. OP
    BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    No not down about the advice. I'm here to learn and I read most of this already regarding the species, but after I got them. I will be returning the gourami. But the Tigers and Serpae reallyndnt do much chasing in the tank. They mostly chase each other and it's not aggressive. They are really fun to watch.

    I've been using Seachem Stability from the moment I learnt about the nitrogen cycle. It made a huge difference. So today is the start of the 5th week I have the tank. All is looking good.

    Until I purchase a new tank. I'm hoping the aquaclear will help with the bio load. So I'll just take some of the floss from the corner filter and use it in the HOB.

    The fish I have are very small. Visually they dnt look over crowded and swim around quite freely. I will be removing the Gourami. How badly stocked am I. I just learner too late about stock levels and things. The pet shop just gives u what I want with no advice. U learn the hard way that they are in just for business.
     
  9. Pezulu

    Pezulu

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2015
    Messages:
    3,417
    Likes Received:
    1,393
    Location:
    Centurion
    To figure out overstocked you are, use the Aquadvisor app.
    Although not set in stone, it gives a good indication of what your stocking levels should be.

    http://www.aqadvisor.com/
     
  10. TheGrissom

    TheGrissom

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2012
    Messages:
    2,251
    Likes Received:
    1,571
    Location:
    Gqeberha
    Hello and Welcome. I am sure you will find all the advice / info you could ever want and more on this forum
     
  11. OP
    BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    According to this I'm stocked at 130%. Will my filtration cope until I get a new the tank.
     
  12. Amakawa

    Amakawa

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Messages:
    893
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Midvaal
    Frequent water changes and Seachem Prime are your best bet at this point
     
  13. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal

    Depends on how long before you get the new tank and how much growth the fish put on,
    As @Amakawa said, frequent water changes and dont over feed
    Feed small amounts at a time so you dont have too much uneaten food laying around
     
  14. OP
    BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    Thanks Guys. I feed very little. Food is gone in no time. And the water is not murky.
     
  15. OP
    BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    Hi.. so I'm getting my hands on a 3 foot. It's the biggest I can go...that's all the space the wife has afforded me.

    So I want to do two things to it. I want to paint the back black and I want to frame it with narrow wooden strips. To cover the foam . Give it a nice windowed look. I need to know what paint I can use. Or can I use any paint as long as I give it enough time to dry.

    One more thing...I want to build a low level roof. I want to stick some acrylic squares. In the corners of the tank and Middle and rest an acrylic sheet on top. What glue silicon can I use. And how long will it take to dry.

    So in a nutshell I want to give a cheap tank...the look of those expensive black framed tanks. I hope u guys understand me
     
  16. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal
    @BradK , for the outside you can use any paint that sticks to glass
    I used the spray on one that comes in the tins.
    First coat doesnt looks so good but after the second coat it looked fine

    Personally... think twice about black... it can be a bit overpowering and make it look very dark. Think about a fairly dark blue.
    Its still dark but somehow has a different and not so gloomy effect.

    You can use Marine silicone
    I am always over cautious with the drying period but that is not going to support loads of weight or pressure so I would say two days
    I also like to just let the smell go away before adding water
     
  17. OP
    BradK

    BradK

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2018
    Messages:
    347
    Likes Received:
    201
    Location:
    Durban
    Thanks , can u point me to some examples of the dark blue u mentioned.
     
  18. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal
  19. Amakawa

    Amakawa

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Messages:
    893
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Midvaal
    Getting error message when I click on link @MariaS
     
  20. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal
  21. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal
    Think its working now...
     

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - Very fishkeeping Forum Date
Hi everyone New members Dec 31, 2024
Newbie but a very oldie actually New members Oct 13, 2024
GOOD DAY EVERYONE New members Jan 16, 2022
Hello everyone New members Jan 15, 2022
Hello everyone :) New members Jan 10, 2022
Water everywhere! Filtration Jun 18, 2021
Hello everybody :) New members Mar 17, 2021

Share This Page