Need advice : setting up an Aquarium

princesslaura

Sui_Generis wrote: »

The local aquarium supplier is recommending Danios and possibly a SFF (eventually), does that sound reasonable?

We have danios in our bi-ube, both leopard and zebra. You should also look at glowlight danios, I think they are lovely and we are looking at getting some soon.

Froglet

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

I have just recently acquired a BiOrtb from my Dad's wife who couldn't be bothered to feed the fish (:eek:).
I have danios and some rasb-sommats that came with the tank and have just bought some gorgeous guppys today. I absolutely love having the tank and am thinking of getting another tank that I can set up from svcratch and have how I want it. I think I would go for a traditional shape and perhaps 90l to allow me to have more of a range of fish to choose from.

I am slowly learning but have a couple of questions please?

How often do you need to clean the substrate? I have just noticed it's getting a little frimy and have ordered a cleaner from EBay.

I had wondered about introducing some clown loaches, but am a little concerned about over-crowding the tank - I inderstand the ratio is about 1:5 fish to water?

I have some golden apple snails which are gorgeous - they look like burnished gold, but I also have lots of little brown snails. I think the eggs may have come in on plants etc. Is there any way of getting rid of these other than picking them out?

I have quite a lot of plants in the tank - is it possible to over-plant?

OK, more questions than I had thought there :rolleyes:
I've also bookmarked the links that you have all given and now know where to go to learn more.

Thanks.

Always use a gravel cleaner when doing your water changes,otherwise you could end up with major problems from the anaerobic bacteria that forms in dirty gravel.

Clown loaches are a definite no no until you have at LEAST a four foot tank as they grow huge,and you need to get them in groups or they won't thrive.Biorbs are not the best tanks because of their shape,so your plan to get a regular shaped one is much better.These fancy tanks are made for us humans to look at and admire,and not actually for the benefit of the fish.You can rarely overplant,so long as the plants are healthy and growing well,or again you will have problems with water quality if they rot.

The brown snails are a real pest,all you can do is keep removing them,try a lettuce leaf,that is supposed to attract them in the one place ,but you will have to keep plugging away at the problem.

Practical Fishkeeping is a wonderful site,i cannot praise it enough for any concerns or advice you may need.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Froglet, thank you so much for your help. Just one last question?

Is it better to pop the fish into a temporary home when I clean the gravel/substrate? I am concerned about stressing them.

Sui_Generis

From what I've read rehousing them will cause more stress than the cleaning?

MrsTinks

I have no idea about how to clean a bi anything - but can you not get a "hoover" - it's a plastic tube with a see through plastic hose... hard to explain how it works but basically the fish stay in the tank whilst you hoover up the dirt...
Ideally you need to keep the fish in there

Froglet

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Froglet, thank you so much for your help. Just one last question?

Is it better to pop the fish into a temporary home when I clean the gravel/substrate? I am concerned about stressing them.

Mrs Tine and Sui generis are both right,you should not take the fish out.It stresses them being caught and then placed into different water quality.That is why i do not like the biorbs,they are not as easy to get at the gravel as a plain rectangular tank.But with a bit of practice you will get the hang of it.It is certainly very important to get the gravel turned over whilst you take out some of the water.
The easiest way is to have someone helping.Hubby is my assistant! He has the bucket and watches that end of the pipe,while i can then make sure i don't accidentally suck a fish up! They dive into a cave usually.
Speaking of caves,the worst of the debris collects around the base of plants and caves so make sure to move the caves and carefully get as close to the plants as poss if real,if plastic of course you can move them too.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thanks for the answers. I have ordered a gravel filter from Ebay, but then suddenly thought (because of the shape of the Biorb that maybe I should remove the fish.

I have a fabulous Aquatics place near me and they refuse to sell BiOrbs or any fish that will be housed in them. They say that these tanks have been banned in some countires as the shape causes stress to the fish with the viewing distortions caused by the rounded shape as well as the low surface area.
I've now decided to wait until after Xmas (when hopefully the sales will be good) and invest in a "proper" tank. May decide to keep the BiOrb for a SFF though - will give it some thought.

Since I had this tank, I'm amazed at the people I come across who are deeply into fish keeping. They all seem relatively "normal" too :rotfl:

Sui_Generis

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Is it better to pop the fish into a temporary home when I clean the gravel/substrate? I am concerned about stressing them.

MrsTine wrote: »

I have no idea about how to clean a bi anything - but can you not get a "hoover" - it's a plastic tube with a see through plastic hose...

Froglet wrote: »

Mrs Tine and Sui generis are both right,you should not take the fish out.It stresses them being caught and then placed into different water quality. It is certainly very important to get the gravel turned over whilst you take out some of the water.

This video any use? I wondered if it was worth buying. Would you use it, or something like it, at every water change or less often?

MrsTinks

Sui that's the kitten Although ours is a cheaper version without the different nossles and clips and what have you lol - obviously we're very simple folk... all that extra clippy and flicky stuff is far too complex for me :rotfl:

Froglet

Sui_Generis wrote: »

This video any use? I wondered if it was worth buying. Would you use it, or something like it, at every water change or less often?

What a fantastic improvement on the original one i use.If i didn't have hubby helping i would certainly get it.In fact when mine wears out i think i will! Just off to see how much they are.Like the idea of not being able to suck up plants,a regular occurrence with mine!

defo use eevry water change,after all you have to get the water out somehow any way.