Subj : Re: New Aquarium Question
To : All
From : Jeff
Date : Mon Aug 09 2004 08:40 am
"JL" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:iV8Rc.10230$pT5.816@lakeread05...
> "Hamlet" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:
[email protected]...
> > I'm setting up a new tank (my first, except for one I had as a kid 15
> > years ago) and I had a few questions. Some details:
>
> Me too. Hope you don't mind if I jump in here with similar questions and
> comments.
> >
> > Tank is a 40 gallon breeder (36in X 18in X 16in)
> > Filter is a Penguin 330 (two wheels for bio-filter)
> > 150 Watt Heater
> > basic 25 watt fluorescent light
> >
> >
> Tank is called a 55 gal but after I measured internal dimensions it works
> out to 43 gal approx. Same tank at store is "55gal"??
> (interior dimensions: 47.5 x 17 x 12.375 = 9992.8125 inches cubed =
> 43.258929 US gallons)
> Two under gravel filters with two 660 power heads. I also put a Whisper
60
> Power Filter in.
> 200 or 250 watt immersion heater (can't remember now and don't want to
pull
> it out of tank to see)
> 40 watt, 48 inch light
> > My plan (such that it is):
> >
> > declorinate the water
> > get temp to 78F
> > do tests for PH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates
> >
> > Assuming nothing bad shows up in the tests,
> Set up tank, let pumps run for 24 hrs to allow chlorine to dissipate/water
> to age, run tests.
> Didn't think I'd find anything but wanted to establish base line and did
> find 1ppm ammonia. pH is high, 7.8 (tonight it tested at 7.2 at home).
> Everything else 0. Took water to store for free test (they also do
> alkalinity, hardness, chlorine, and chloramine and to confirm I'm doing my
> tests correct. They find 6.8 pH and 2ppm ammonia. I get White Diamond
> Ammonia-Neutralizing Crystals, put into mesh bag and laid in bottom of
tank
> for several days. Ammonia now 0. I call Makers of my test kit and explain
> pH issue and they claim there's nothing wrong with their test (Aquarium
> Pharmaceuticals). Store is using strips (Jungle) and Maker says strips
not
> as good as drops I'm using (is this right??).
> >
> > start with 5 platys of various colors (following cycling instructions
> > from The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums)
> >
> Once ammonia was at 0 we put in 4 Red Wag Platys and 3 Gold Crescent
Platys
> (Mickey Mouse Platys?) *Just lost a pregnant GC Platy this morning*.
> We'll leave them for a week or week and a half and add some more. I'm
> testing daily to watch the spikes as tank cycles. Looking now for a
bottom
> feeder to start assisting in tank maintenance. I'm feeding flake in the
> morning and blood worms at night.
First lost the pregnant Gold Crescent Platy, this morning lost the second,
this afternoon lost the third. Replaced the first one with another and
seems to be doing alright. I'm not replacing the other 2. The first batch
was bad. Now just have 5 in tank, 4 Red Wag Platys and 1 Gold Crescent.
The last GCP I watched die, was weird (the others we found dead). Fish was
darting around, didn't seem to have any directional control, when not
swimming would rotate belly up and drift with current until it took off
again, like a kid letting go of an untied balloon. Water check every night
and anytime I find a dead fish. Also I take a sample to PetSmart and they
verify. Water is good. Saw some red (blood?) under his scales on his head,
maybe from where he's ramming into the glass?
>
> > Questions:
> >
> My questions:
> 1. Why is my tank called a 55 gallon when it holds 45 gallons?
> 2. Is my filter adequate? Over filtering is good, right?
> 3. Will the aeration of the filter(s) be enough, or do I need to
> supplement it? It keeps the water at the top moving pretty good. Maybe
too
> much?
> 4. Real plants are pretty much out unless I upgrade the light,
> correct? Would Java Fern be ok or should I just go with plastic
> plants?
>
> >
> > My interest is to have the platys and swordtails breed a little, but
> > not overwhelm me with fish. I understand that the fish will eat the
> > fry, so I'm planning on leaving the fry in the main tank. I will give
> > them lots of cover (probably plastic) to hide in, hoping that a few
> > will reach adulthood. Does this make sense? any suggestions?
> Me too.
>
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.733 / Virus Database: 487 - Release Date: 8/2/2004
>
>
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free by AVG.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (
http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.735 / Virus Database: 489 - Release Date: 8/6/2004
---
---
* RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 8/9/04 7:40:45 AM
* Origin: MoonDog BBS, Brooklyn,NY, 718 692-2498, 1:278/230 (1:278/230)
