Any fish enthusiasts?

[Dave Gray]

We got an office fish tank and I've really enjoyed it.  I am surprised at how calming its been to cultivate and stock and all that.

So, I got a tank for my house.

I don't have any fish in it yet and I have to do all the water parameter stuff.  Still deciding how to decorate, as well.

Anyone here have fish tanks or experience they'd like to share?

[DaLittle B]

I had tanks for the age of 8 till 2007,when mother nature struck in the ice storm of 2007,we lost power for a week plus.I had no way of keeping the water aerated,clean,and warm enough for my 120 gallon marine fish tank to survive.Sitting by candlelight/flashlight hearing fish suffocate,and slam the sides,and top of the tank as they tried to jump out as they dies...was horrific...I had runout of salt,and couldn't keep up with water changes to keep it going during the power outage.

It wasn't worth spending the $1000's of dollars to start over.(Marine fish were expensive,even back then).

I still have my 120 gallon tank/lights,and filters in the garage in case I get the urge to start it up.I just don't have the $$$ or the drive to put all that work of maintenance.

I had fresh water fish,brackish,then marine...and Sooo many different tanks,sizes and fish over the years...

There are 4 fish I never had,but always wanted ,and never got that make think someday maybe...
1.) Octopus..Not going to happen,hard to get,hard to keep,crawl out of the tank.
2.) Stingray - Freshwater,or marine
3.) Arrowanna fish - I saw 2 maybe 2.5 ft long one with orange highlights when I might have been 14.I always wanted one just like it...This is the most likely I'd set a tank back up for.
4.) Yellow Dogface puffer fish - I had lot's of other type of puffer fish,but I loved this on,and it was too hard to get,and expensive if you even could back then.

[Tenshot13]

During my college years, I worked at Petco and was the "Aquatic Specialist" (lol) for 8 years.  That included taking care of salt and freshwater.  I myself had a 55, 50, 30 and 10 gallon fish tanks going at the same time.  Never did saltwater, it was enough of a pain in the ass to do at work let alone at home.  The fish are way cooler, but they have no guarantee if they die right away like fresh water fish do, plus they were substantially more expensive.

55 gallon had South American Cichlids (Jack Dempsey, Oscar, Pleco, Texas Cichlid).  This was my first attempt at a fish tank, they lasted a while but honestly, way too cramped for those fish.

50 gallon had a bunch of African Cichlids.  2nd attempt years later had tetras and a bunch of live plants

30 gallon had semi aggressive fish like Gouramis, Tiger and Rosy Barbs, etc.  Had one blue crawfish, he was cool as hell.  Also an electric blue Jack Dempsey, which is a mutation.  They aren't as aggressive and don't get as big.

10 gallon had a single long armed prawn.  That thing was cool, it was about 4 inches long, but it's arms could reach all the way to the top of the tank while he sat on the bottom.

Rule of thumb is however many inches of fish (mature size)=gallons in tanks, i.e. 30 inches of fish for a 30 gallon tank.  I broke that rule a few times, which isn't good, but if you do make sure they have more than enough filtration.  I always bought a filter that was a size larger than the tank I bought it for, i.e. my 55 gallon had a 75 gallon filter on it.

BTW, goldfish are the nastiest fish around, and ALL of them grow to at least 12 inches, so when you play the fair goldfish game and win one, remember that.  Don't believe what people tell you about them growing to the size of their tank, that's cruel.  In fact, they are better off in a Koi Pond.

[masterfins]

I had a fresh water fish tank about 30+ years ago, I think it was 40 gallons.  I never restarted it when I made a move and eventually gave the tank away.  I've thought of starting one up again on occasion, then I think of remembering to have to clean it, and I say no way.  Not to mention the start up cost.

[DaLittle B]

Slight hijack...We just got Petco here somewhat recently,they opened 1 location last year,and second location this year.When I had fish,I had Petsmart (no salt things),1 small change,had supplies,horrible fish,and 1 really good local guy. End hijack....

In high school as I started upgrading to bigger tanks,I took a 30gal L tank,and the only place left to put it was in the kitchen.My mom loved it,Hey great I'll be able to stand in the kitchen and watch the fish.I bought a red belly piranha (It was about the size of my hand at the time),she thought it was pretty,till I was feeding goldfish.It tended to leave their heads in the bottom of the tank.she was mortified by that...

One other somewhat live,and learn disasters...
I remember being like 13,and had 3 or 4-10 gallon tanks of freshwater fish,eventually turned one into a mud dog tank.I got a 20 gallon high tank,(It's dimensions were like stacking 2 10 gal tank,in one tank)and knowing all my 10 gallon stuff would work with it.I put it on the same little stand,set it all up,put my fish from the 10 gallon tank in it.I fell asleep on the couch watching that tank.Woke up the next morning,looked at the tank,to watch the stand break.It fell to the left,cracked the front then fell forward,spilling out all the floor fish and all.

[Dave Gray]

I got "starter" fish yesterday to help acclimate the tank.  11 black skirt tetras.  They're supposed to be hearty. 

My ammonia levels and pH are high today.  I hope the little guys pull through, but I'm pretty much at 0 nitrites or nitrates, so we've got a ways to go.

[Dave Gray]

I'm concerned about high temperatures.  The tank is on my back porch (no direct sun).  I want it at about 80F, but it reached nearly 88 yesterday, and 82 at night. 

[Tenshot13]

Unless you want to consistently cool the water, you might need a new location...

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/aquarium-basics/temperature-control.htm

Beating the Heat

    In hot weather, the first thing to do is to increase water movement. The warmer water is, the less oxygen will be dissolved in it, but at higher temperatures, your fish’s metabolism will be higher, increasing their need for oxygen. Moving water picks up more oxygen, and it also evaporates more, which cools the water. If ambient conditions bring aquarium water into the high 80s for prolonged periods, you should take steps to cool the water, and the simplest way is to replace the normal aquarium top with screening and position a fan to blow across the water surface. This greatly increases evaporation. You will have to top off the tank frequently to replace the evaporated water. You can use slightly cooler water than what is in the tank, but only a few degrees, or you may shock the fish.
    A further step would be to freeze water in plastic bottles and place one at a time into the tank or in the filter. Make sure the bottles are small enough that the water does not cool down too quickly or too much—extreme changes in temperature are more harmful to your fish than constant high temperatures.
    If your home remains very hot for long periods of time, you will need a chiller for your aquarium. Some are drop-in models that hang on the tank rim and put the cooling coils directly in the aquarium. Others operate completely outside the tank, and the water must be pumped from the tank, through the chiller, and back to the tank.

[Tenshot13]

Also, I'll leave this here.  It's a pretty good fish compatibility chart.

[Dave Gray]

Fish update:

My tank is in good condition and has leveled out.  The water is consistently where I need it and I'm doing regular water changes.

I just went to a fish auction and stuff was so cheap that I'm overstocked, but have been on top of it.  Though my fish could be fighting, they aren't.  Everyone seems on their best behavior.

My stock right now in a 60 gallon:
1 blue acara
11 black skirt tetras
4 red eye tetras
4 blue tetras
4 penguin tetras
1 cardinal tetra
2 sunset guppies
1 male betta
6 mollies
5 kulhi loaches
6 green cory catfish
1 oto catfish
5 bristlenose plecos (babies)
3 mystery snails
? ghost shrimp

I'm setting up my daughter with a little 3.5 tank for the Betta, so I'll pull a couple of fish out to put in there.  ...gotta reduce my stock as these plecos grow.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Not only will some of your fish grow you are likely to get more from mating.

[Tenshot13]

Fish update:

My tank is in good condition and has leveled out.  The water is consistently where I need it and I'm doing regular water changes.

I just went to a fish auction and stuff was so cheap that I'm overstocked, but have been on top of it.  Though my fish could be fighting, they aren't.  Everyone seems on their best behavior.

My stock right now in a 60 gallon:
1 blue acara
11 black skirt tetras
4 red eye tetras
4 blue tetras
4 penguin tetras
1 cardinal tetra
2 sunset guppies
1 male betta
6 mollies
5 kulhi loaches
6 green cory catfish
1 oto catfish
5 bristlenose plecos (babies)
3 mystery snails
? ghost shrimp

I'm setting up my daughter with a little 3.5 tank for the Betta, so I'll pull a couple of fish out to put in there.  ...gotta reduce my stock as these plecos grow.

The Mollies and Guppies will bread like crazy, so you'll likely have a bunch of babies like hoodie said.  Keep an eye on the Betta, the other fish might nip at his fins, but you're moving it so it should be okay.  Yeah, you picked a lot of very compatible fish, seems like a cool tank, especially the Blue Acara and the bristlenose plecos , they're really cool.

[Dave Gray]

Thanks -- I love the feedback.  The Acara is really cool.  He's going to be the king of the tank.

Bristlenoses are SOOOOOO tiny right now.  ...like 1".  There are 5 in the tank and I can never really see them.  These guys grow to about 5" long, so I'll have to deal with it.

I have to look out for some nipping between: Betta, Mollies, Guppies, and the Penguin Tetras.  They are not specifically incompatible, but depending on personality, they may be aggressive.  The Betta has totally been on his absolute best behavior, but much of the potential conflict comes from him.  And even if he doesn't lash out, all the other fish will probably stress him out, so I think I can make him happier to get him alone.

I'm sorta half-excited / half-concerned about the live bearers.  The process seems cool, but I don't want to be overwhelmed with babies.

[Tenshot13]

Thanks -- I love the feedback.  The Acara is really cool.  He's going to be the king of the tank.

Bristlenoses are SOOOOOO tiny right now.  ...like 1".  There are 5 in the tank and I can never really see them.  These guys grow to about 5" long, so I'll have to deal with it.

I have to look out for some nipping between: Betta, Mollies, Guppies, and the Penguin Tetras.  They are not specifically incompatible, but depending on personality, they may be aggressive.  The Betta has totally been on his absolute best behavior, but much of the potential conflict comes from him.  And even if he doesn't lash out, all the other fish will probably stress him out, so I think I can make him happier to get him alone.

I'm sorta half-excited / half-concerned about the live bearers.  The process seems cool, but I don't want to be overwhelmed with babies.

You've got so many different fish in there, you won't be overwhelmed with babies...more like treats for your other fish.  Typically, even if the fish aren't aggressive, if it can fit in their mouth, they'll eat it.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I'm sorta half-excited / half-concerned about the live bearers.  The process seems cool, but I don't want to be overwhelmed with babies.

You run the risk particularly with the tank so crowded that they will be eaten.  You might want to move pregnant fish to own tank, and then move mom back as soon as she gives birth.