Stocking Advice

[COM]

Long tanks are cool and fish love them, I agree. But long tanks take up long spaces. I like to keep my fish right were I am all the time and right now that means using a tall tank which is working very well.

I'm glad to hear that your corydoras are happier!

I usually wait a few hours after a water change to test the water and then I do another test in a day or so. I'm not too disciplined about testing the water unless I notice that something looks a bit off.

[trashion]

Biweekly really isn't enough. Weekly would be better. It's always good to do frequent, smaller WCs instead of large, spaced-out ones. It keeps the water chemistry even.

re: Tall vs Long tanks-aren't we in this hobby to provide animals with the best living environment that we can? That's why I opt for long over tall, and recommend "understocking" tall tanks.

[Good Wolf]

Originally Posted by trashion

re: Tall vs Long tanks-aren't we in this hobby to provide animals with the best living environment that we can? That's why I opt for long over tall, and recommend "understocking" tall tanks.

She has had the Hex tank for a very long time. We don't have the $$ right now to go and get a long tank, and even if we did she loves the Hex. I'm hoping to get another tank in the next couple months. I'll transfer over the schooling fish and put something more appropriate in the Hex.

With a thrity gallon tank do you think taking out 5 gallons each week will do the trick?

[trashion]

Oh, that comment was namely directed toward COM, as we were kicking these opinions back and forth. I understand people opting for hex tanks because they haven't read up and learned the drawbacks of them, and you've got the right idea about what to do now

5 gallons a week and replacing it should be fine.

[COM]

My view on the hobby is that it is for my enjoyment and so long as that doesn't cause any harm to the fish, that's okay. The conditions in which I keep my fish are just fine. My fish do very well. The best environment for the animal would be its natural one. We're keeping live animals in glass boxes.

A long tank is nice but if it means that the human keeper gets less enjoyment from the fish, inevitably that could cause harm to the fish. I have seen this happen with friends of mine who catch "fish fever" after seeing a tank that I have set up. I always tell friends to get the biggest tank they can afford and accommodate in a room where they spend a lot of time. Many friends (and my own father) have gone and bought big tanks like 55Gs. My dad put his in the dining room in his house because he had space and because it was dark. My parents use that room about twice a year. Guess what happened to the nice tank that he and I set up with all of the best equipment following all the "rules" and actually understocking? He didn't look at it, he lost interest, and things went downhill.

My apologies to the OP for bringing this so off topic.

[Good Wolf]

No worries, debate away. You both have very valid points. I've seen the same thing happen.

On the way home from the store my wife and I were discussing were we are going to be put next tank. We have a perfect spot in a room that we rarely use and decided that although it might be cramped we are going to stick it in the living room where we spend most of our time.

I want to be able to kick back and watch them rather than having to make a point of going into the next room to enjoy them.

[welchrock]

Hey I <3 Fish!

Interesting thread you got going here. Coming in a bit late but it sounds like your stocking is now a lot more 'in line', with what I've read and experienced with personal success.

As for water-changes, I've heard 'as often as humanly possible', all the way to: 'only once a month'. I personally do it about once a week, but I think the best method is on a scheduled basis as well as whenever it appears necessary -as long as your fish don't seem to be overly stressed about it. Every two weeks should be good but I personally wouldn't go much longer.

How has your luck been so far with your dwarf gourami's? I myself had bad luck and attributed it to them being very in-bred and therefore susceptible to all sorts of scale diseases. Are yours a male-female couple? Seeing as they're likely the biggest fish in your tank - my guess is that you'll have a lot more success than I did.

[Good Wolf]

Originally Posted by welchrock

Hey I <3 Fish!

Interesting thread you got going here. Coming in a bit late but it sounds like your stocking is now a lot more 'in line', with what I've read and experienced with personal success.

As for water-changes, I've heard 'as often as humanly possible', all the way to: 'only once a month'. I personally do it about once a week, but I think the best method is on a scheduled basis as well as whenever it appears necessary -as long as your fish don't seem to be overly stressed about it. Every two weeks should be good but I personally wouldn't go much longer.

How has your luck been so far with your dwarf gourami's? I myself had bad luck and attributed it to them being very in-bred and therefore susceptible to all sorts of scale diseases. Are yours a male-female couple? Seeing as they're likely the biggest fish in your tank - my guess is that you'll have a lot more success than I did.

The Gourami's are doing fine. I believe they are both males because they are brightly colored. They are both rainbow, one with stripes and the other with solid colors. I can't remember how the store labeled them. All of the silver ones were referred to as 'blue gourami' and I'm assuming those where the females.

I've heard having two males in a tank togather is bad news but they actually 'cuddle' from time to time. If it is a form of aggression it isn't a very intimidating one. For the most part they hang out in different parts of the tank though. As far as their health everything looks good. I picked up some pellets today for the Cories, and the Gouramies eat them up as well. The Tetra nibble on them but their little mouths can't get the entire thing down.