Cleaner-type wanted

hollie · 06-30-2007, 05:21 AM

I've got a tank with guppies, mollies and African Dwarf Frogs in it, and I'd like a cleaner fish to, well, clean things up in addition to the filter. Any ideas on what goes best? I've got quite a limited variety of fish to choose from over here!

ch2linda · 06-30-2007, 07:45 AM

Get A Applesnail They Are Divine

MaelStrom · 06-30-2007, 12:47 PM

Whats the tank size?

hollie · 06-30-2007, 12:50 PM

The tank's about 35x20x25cm in diameter - no idea what that is in gallons! I'm hoping to get a bigger one soon though, so I can use this one for guppies only.

hollie · 06-30-2007, 12:54 PM

Aaah, now apple snails they do have over here...

What's more efficient, a snail or a fish, or both?

judya · 06-30-2007, 02:44 PM

If you're speaking of food that drops to the bottom, then corydoras catfish. If you're speaking of algae, then the otocinclus or a small catfish, such as a bristlenose (depending on the tank size). If you're speaking of fish waste though, then you need to do a regular program of gravel vacuuming while also doing a partial water change.
Snails will also eat up excess food, but produce their own waste as well.

hollie · 06-30-2007, 10:22 PM

A vacuum sounds like a good idea to get in addition to a corydoras catfish or snail, as it's mainly excess food that needs to be cleaned up, I've got no algae issues at the moment. Is it possible to make one, or do they have to be bought?

I'd just like to clear my water up a bit; I'm only feeding twice a day and a little food, not too much eat time, plus I've got a filter going, yet it all still seems to cloud up. I'm thinking I'll get another 10g tank and seperate the fish out a bit more, as maybe I've got too many in one place!

**JustOneMore20** · 07-01-2007, 01:14 PM

If you are having alot of leftover food then I'd cut back to 1 feeding a day. Then make sure you are changing the water and vacuuming the gravel once a week. That should help out with the leftover food and waste that is accumulating.

It doesn't sound like your tank is very big, about 4.5 gallons (US) if the calculator I used is correct. I certainly wouldn't add any more fish to the mix. Try to get the 10g as soon as you can, as overstocking is also contributing to the waste buildup.

judya · 07-01-2007, 08:44 PM

The gravel vacuum is basically a flexible tube or hose, usually around 1/2 inch to 1 inch wide, and often has a wider tube attached to the end. You siphon a portion of the water and yucky bottom stuff through it, and discard, then put clean water back in. The recommended water changes is 10 - 20 percent every week or two.
If you have a small tank, or want to do spot cleaning, a clean (never used) turkey baster will work.

hollie · 07-02-2007, 12:04 AM

Thanks!

I've got myself a bigger tank now, an 8g one, so I'll be splitting the inhabitants up. I've also got a cleaner fish for both tanks - pics for ID to come later!

06-30-2007, 05:21 AM	#1
hollie (o..o) ADF Lover Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bahrain Age: 24 Posts: 24	Cleaner-type wanted I've got a tank with guppies, mollies and African Dwarf Frogs in it, and I'd like a cleaner fish to, well, clean things up in addition to the filter. Any ideas on what goes best? I've got quite a limited variety of fish to choose from over here!

06-30-2007, 07:45 AM	#2
ch2linda phish r kool Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fish House Posts: 40	Get A Applesnail They Are Divine __________________ ###Hope y'all like ditzy blondes because I am here to stay###

07-01-2007, 01:14 PM	#8
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama, US Age: 22 Posts: 3,492	If you are having alot of leftover food then I'd cut back to 1 feeding a day. Then make sure you are changing the water and vacuuming the gravel once a week. That should help out with the leftover food and waste that is accumulating. It doesn't sound like your tank is very big, about 4.5 gallons (US) if the calculator I used is correct. I certainly wouldn't add any more fish to the mix. Try to get the 10g as soon as you can, as overstocking is also contributing to the waste buildup. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 10g, 5.5g 10g N. multifasciatus tank, 5.5g Platy fry

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fin type?	anasfire23	Bettas	9	04-03-2007 08:43 PM
Cleaner Shrimp	gdwb10101	General Saltwater	5	06-07-2006 08:53 AM
Cleaner Shrimp Question	MaconTallMan	Beginner Saltwater	4	01-08-2006 04:38 PM
What type of rocks/bricks should I use? pic	Meeocky	General Freshwater	1	09-28-2005 10:21 AM

Members currently in the Chat:0
	Users In Chat Room: There are several users in chat now! Don't Be Shy - click here and come on in!

06-30-2007, 12:47 PM	#3
MaelStrom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 319	Whats the tank size?

06-30-2007, 12:50 PM	#4
hollie (o..o) ADF Lover Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bahrain Age: 24 Posts: 24	The tank's about 35x20x25cm in diameter - no idea what that is in gallons! I'm hoping to get a bigger one soon though, so I can use this one for guppies only.

06-30-2007, 12:54 PM	#5
hollie (o..o) ADF Lover Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bahrain Age: 24 Posts: 24	Aaah, now apple snails they do have over here... What's more efficient, a snail or a fish, or both?

06-30-2007, 02:44 PM	#6
judya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 223	If you're speaking of food that drops to the bottom, then corydoras catfish. If you're speaking of algae, then the otocinclus or a small catfish, such as a bristlenose (depending on the tank size). If you're speaking of fish waste though, then you need to do a regular program of gravel vacuuming while also doing a partial water change. Snails will also eat up excess food, but produce their own waste as well.

06-30-2007, 10:22 PM	#7
hollie (o..o) ADF Lover Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bahrain Age: 24 Posts: 24	A vacuum sounds like a good idea to get in addition to a corydoras catfish or snail, as it's mainly excess food that needs to be cleaned up, I've got no algae issues at the moment. Is it possible to make one, or do they have to be bought? I'd just like to clear my water up a bit; I'm only feeding twice a day and a little food, not too much eat time, plus I've got a filter going, yet it all still seems to cloud up. I'm thinking I'll get another 10g tank and seperate the fish out a bit more, as maybe I've got too many in one place!

07-01-2007, 08:44 PM	#9
judya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Age: 55 Posts: 223	The gravel vacuum is basically a flexible tube or hose, usually around 1/2 inch to 1 inch wide, and often has a wider tube attached to the end. You siphon a portion of the water and yucky bottom stuff through it, and discard, then put clean water back in. The recommended water changes is 10 - 20 percent every week or two. If you have a small tank, or want to do spot cleaning, a clean (never used) turkey baster will work.

07-02-2007, 12:04 AM	#10
hollie (o..o) ADF Lover Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bahrain Age: 24 Posts: 24	Thanks! I've got myself a bigger tank now, an 8g one, so I'll be splitting the inhabitants up. I've also got a cleaner fish for both tanks - pics for ID to come later!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)