Petfish.net Message Board Archive No. 37 Part 5

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From: katie 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Thanks all!!!!!!
It sounds like you all agree that i need to put the airhose in the tube-so that's what i ll do with an airstone at the end- I don't really understand how my filter works this way- I will let you know how everything is going in about a week. Still treating for previous signs of fin rot. IF anyone knows what kind of over the back filter(name brand) for the five with a molded hood, and where to get it and price, let me know- I think i really need to get this to help maintian a healty tank? What do yall think? I finally got some pics that are decent that i will send to clint once they are scanned so everyone can see my cute little five-you can really see my snail petunia and Epheasias, my betta in it, and even one of each tetra, again thanks- katie

From: Clint 12/05/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
You need to shorten the airline tubing that goes down the airlift tube. Raise it higher in the tube so that the air is forced to go up the tube. I had this same thing happen before. This will cure the problem and the filter will still work fine. Clint

From: Rebecca 12/05/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
Katie, try putting an airstone on the end of your tubing, weighting it down if necessary, and then sticking it directly down the large tube (where the bubbles usually rise up.) The closer it is to the bottom, the more "pull" you'll get (the rising air pulling water up the tube) but if it's too far down, bubbles can go astray under the plate and cause those large bubble explosions later. It sounds like the original setup you're using is either not well made or not aligned properly. I'd ignore the place the tubing is supposed to attach and just stick it down the main large tube instead. I think that's what the others are suggesting but I'm not sure if you understand. Hope this helps

From: Mary 12/05/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
I have had that happened to me and still does occasionally when I strip my tanks. I'm guessing its because there is space between the gravel's. It may sound incredible that with all the gravel in the tank there could be space in between but, when I root/switch or sometimes bear down on the airspot where the bubbles are coming out it usually solve the problem. You also know that by not having the UGF working properly your biological filtration is most likely dead, if so that could be the reason for your fin rot. Test your water to make sure if you're indeed going through cycling. Take care

From: fire ice 12/05/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
Well, yoou know how you put your airline tubing down the clear tube?(called the uplift tube)Well, even if there is a fitted hole for it, that won't work if it's below the filter plate. So put an airstone on the end of the airline tubing and put it down the tube so that you can see about half of it above the gravel.

From: katie 12/04/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
well- I am not sure what you mean about the airhose being to far down near the gravel-because the airhose attaches to the circular filter at the bottom of the tank that is fitted in a hole on the tray. How else would the airhose be attached? there is a specific spot on the filter for it? and fire ice, i have plenty of gravel....i even tried putting more in the particular spot. Anyway until i have fixed the problem i just unattached the airline tubbing from the ugf, and attached and airstone for oxygen and turbulence. Now until i decide what i can do should i do waterchanges everyday? Like thirty percent considering my bioload -and so forth...is there a small filter that hangs on the back of a tank that is inexpensive? I only have an area of about 5in in lenght because of the molded on top... keep the sugestions coming guys:) thanks katie

From: Karen 12/05/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
I would try as Fire said. Put an airstone on the hose and put it down the uplift tube. i have had this problem from time to time and it is usually that the end of the air tube is to close to the bottom of the tank, or the end of it sits below that filter plate.

From: :) 12/04/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
there area small filters that fit on the back of the tank. i have a second nature whisper power filter on mine and it works wonders...they do come in different sizes to accomedate you tank size...hope this helps at all :) for my ugf, i use a power head, so i'm a lil lost with any other suggestions for your problem. it just attatches to the tube that comes outta the ugf plate itself. [not sure if that's any help for you]

From: :) 12/04/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
i had that problem a couple of times. i was told that the bubbles coming up are the bubbles that get suscked down into the filter. try not to have your air hoses too far down into the gravel, just enough to cover. this worked for me. hope this helps you any. :)

From: fire ice 12/04/01
Subject: Re: the source of a problem??!?!
I know what you mean, I've had this happen to me, too. I'm a do-it-yourself kind of person, so I decided to try making an undergravel filter for my 10-gallon tank. It starter spewing bubbles, and just wouldn't stop. So, since I'm also a person with a short attention span, I took it out and left it out. But, now that I've thought about it some, I'm pretty sure that it's either one of 2 problems, or a combo of both 1)not enough gravel on top of the filter plate (1.5" is good) 2)the air hose goes too far down, making air go down under the filter plate, whic it's not supposed to do. then, the air tries to find the shortest way out, which happens to be one of the perforations in the plate. hope this helps!

From: Mark 12/04/01
Subject: Red Devil VS. Piranha
Me and my roommate have two baby piranhas and my brother has a Red Devil. He has been argueing that his Red Devil could whoop up on a piranha of the same size. I say there is no way, piranhas are just too tough. So, who would win in the fight: Red Devil vs. Piranha? -Mark

From: Beth 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Red Devil VS. Piranha
I have to laugh at this question, sorry. It reminds me of when we were in grade school trying to figure out who was tougher Superman or Batman. :) :) :)

From: Christopher 12/05/01
Subject: grade school is to coledge as......
Sorry to burst everyones image of me and my wife here, but we were in coledge when we were debating who was tougher, Superman or Batman. The debate was never finished, but I was right anyway......Superman would win in an outright fight, but Batman would be smarter and would use kryptonyte gloves or something and beat the crap out of Superman. The man of steel goes down to the dark knight!

From: Josh 12/06/01
Subject: Re: grade school is to coledge as......
You spelled college wrong

From: Beth 12/06/01
Subject: Re: grade school is to coledge as......
Kinda obvious who didn't graduate from college isnt it!!!

From: Mary 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Red Devil VS. Piranha
I guess each of you decided on the fish you wanted. Therefore, what difference does it make whether one could of could not beat-up the other. I pray you each love your fish so as not to put it to a test and risk injury even death to either or both of your pets.

From: Mark 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Red Devil VS. Piranha
Hey mary, I wouldn't ever put the two fish in the same tank. Besides, my brother's in California and I'm in Pennsylvania. It was just a question to see who has tougher fish. It's just a macho thing. Thanks for your response

From: AJB 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Red Devil VS. Piranha
If a piranha was as aggresive as Red Devil, I would say that the piranha would win. Just a matter of who loses his temper easier, the chiclid or the characin. ;-) AJB

From: AJB 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Red Devil VS. Piranha
Depends on the fish. Some red devils are rather like angel fish, they are not very aggressive. My money would be on the reddevil, they are the most agressive chiclid I know of.

From: Karen 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Red Devil VS. Piranha
Pirahnas are no t the most aggressive fish. Many cichlids can beat a pirahana no problem.

From: Danielle 12/04/01
Subject: What is a good tank size to breed beta fish in?
does any one know what a good tank size to breed beta fish in?

From: Danielle 12/04/01
Subject: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
Does anyone know a good size tank to breed beta fish in?

From: Danielle 12/05/01
Subject: Re: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
thanx a lot everyone :)

From: Rebecca 12/05/01
Subject: Re: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
The name is actually betta. (pronounced BET-ta, not BAY-ta.) Won't do for a breeder to not know the name :) Where the hell did this "beta" thing come from anyway? The last year or so everybody seems to call them that...

From: AJB 12/04/01
Subject: Re: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
Ten gallons min.

From: fire ice 12/04/01
Subject: Re: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
10 sounds good, but the student on this page does it in 5 1/2 gallons. http://users.cwnet.com/htuong/tank_setup.htm Check it out, it's a pretty good page, though it lacks a lot of info.

From: Lucy 12/04/01
Subject: Re: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
I say five to fifteen.

From: Jessica 12/04/01
Subject: Re: What is a good size tank to breed beta fish?
I 'd say five to ten would be good.

From: Danielle 12/04/01
Subject: Where do you find female betas?
I want to buy a female beta fish but i cant find a store that sells them. If anyone knows I would be very greatful if u could tell me. Thankyou

From: Danielle 12/05/01
Subject: Thanks Lucy
Thanks Lucy. I found a place there getting them in on Friday its called Petsmart and i live in Canada alberta.

From: Lucy 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Where do you find female betas?
i know two stores but please tell me what state you live in to know if i should bother telling you cause it may be too far or something

From: fire ice 12/04/01
Subject: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
I used to have this as a devided 2-betta tank, but there was a little crack in the division and on the first day, I caught one of the tennants slipping throught it into his roommate's section. Luckily, only minor fin rips occured. I have now moved one of them into his own bowl, and the 2-gal is looking very empty with only a betta and a plant. Any suggestions as for a new tennant? I have considered a snail, ghost shrimp, a small fiddler crab, and a small cory, but can't decide on anything. By the way, it is a 2-gal hex with an undergravel filter and heater, pH is 6.8 Thanks!

From: Mary 12/05/01
Subject: Re: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
Your use to seen two in the tank that's why it looks empty now. Give him a chance to discover his alone and explore the tank. Once he starts stretching his fins swimming you'll enjoy his true beauty and will see there's barely enough space for him. Enjoy

From: Jessica 12/04/01
Subject: Re: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
you could try like 3 or 4 small tetras. They are peaceful but I don't know how much your betta will like them. Hope this helps.

From: Jessica 12/04/01
Subject: Re: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
or maybe some really small corydoras like 3

From: Leslie 12/04/01
Subject: Re: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
I would go with neons or harlequin rasboras. I've had nothing but trouble with ghost shrimp and refuse to buy them anymore. Corys are good, too, but kind of boring.

From: Lucy 12/04/01
Subject: Re: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
you should try one or two ghost shrimp

From: Kathleen 12/04/01
Subject: Re: 2 gal hex with betta...what else?
A 2 gallon hex tank is hardly big enough for a betta much less tank mates. Tank mates would call for changing the water every day instead of once a week...kind of messy to have more than one fish in a 2 gal. not to mention not good for health reasons to put more than one fish in it.

From: Danielle 12/04/01
Subject: Where can you find Female betas?
I want to get a female beta but i can't find a pet store that sells them.

From: Danielle 12/05/01
Subject: Re: Thanx everyone
thanx for all your help i found a store that sells female beta by the way

From: AJB 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Where can you find Female betas?
Female bettas can be found at www.aquariumfish.net

From: fire ice 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Where can you find Female betas?
You can always find them on the internet, but I'm not sure if they can be shipped in the winter like this. Just try calling around. got out the big 6-inch-thick yellowpages and look under pets. Then, call every number systematically, asking first if they have fish, then if they have bettas (they probably will, if they keep fish) and then if they have female bettas. If they say, "yeah, I guess so", then it usually means that they can't tell females from males and to try another store.

From: Leslie 12/04/01
Subject: Re: Where can you find Female betas?
Where do you live? I got mine from Pet Spuermarket. It's the only chain store in my area that sells them.

From: Danielle 12/04/01
Subject: Where can you find Female betas?
I want to get a female beta but i can't find a pet store that sells them.

From: Steve 12/04/01
Subject: "Shimmies"
I currently have 2 sail fin black mollys in a community tank and just one of the mollys (the female) continually gets white spot, I treat it every time and adear to the instructions on the box but within a couple of weeks hey presto she's got it again. Any ideas why?? also what are shimmies????

From: AJB 12/04/01
Subject: Re: "Shimmies"
What size tank is it? What kind/type of filter does it have? Two mollys would need at least five gallons of water. Do you test for ammonia or nitrite? How old is the tank? If the tank is just set up, or under three weeks old, it could be an added symptom of ammonia or nitrite posining. The shimmies, is a disease when a fish stays in one spot and quickly moves from side to side. It looks exactly the fish is shivering. AJB

From: Steve 12/06/01
Subject: Re: "Shimmies"
Its a 15 Gallon Tank (Juwel)and its a got a built in filtration systems that consists of 4 filters one to filter all large particles from the water, carbon filter and 2 for bacteria to colonize (one course on fine) ammonia or nitrite levels are fine, though the tank is only 8 weeks old and the mollys have been in there from the start. All the white spot sysmtoms have gone again since treating but I suspect they will be back. Steve

From: Clint 12/04/01
Subject: Re: "Shimmies"
Increase the heat, Mollies like it warm and add a teaspoon of salt per gallon. If your Mollies keep getting the shimmys you need to keep the tank warmer at about 78 F or more. Clint

From: Leslie 12/04/01
Subject: Re: "Shimmies"
I have kept my mollies at 80-82 and I still have one or two that shimmies, even with salt added at 1 tsp./gal. They always seem healthy otherwise, just have the shimmies.

From: Clint 12/04/01
Subject: Re: "Shimmies"
OK we will keep on and get it narrowed down. Have you checked the pH? Acidic water will cause the shimmies in Mollies. And they might possibly have some kind of parasites, try adding a drop per gallon of "Aquarisol" or "Had-A-Snail", assuming you don't have snails in there you want to keep. Try these and we will keep working on it. Clint

From: Leslie 12/04/01
Subject: Re: "Shimmies"
Shimmies are when a fish (mollies for me) shake rapidly side to side like they have a nervous condition. I have found that in my experience, my white mollies tend to do it a lot more than the black ones. Most of the time if I add some extra salt to the tank, it gets better, but I have 2 mollies, one pearl white and one orange and white, which do it even though the temp is good for them and the water tests fine. My other mollies don't have this problem. I guess it's just a "molly thing" for my fish. I don't remember any of my black mollies doing it and neither do any of my other fish. What kind of white spot, ich? What medication are you using? Do you have the addition of salt in the tank? If it's ich, black mollies are much more prone, but, like you, I've had 4-6 black mollies at a time and only one ever got it. Same is tru for the shimmies.

From: Faith 12/03/01
Subject: pregnant Upsidedown Catfish?
How do I know for sure? The ones i have are two different colors. The darker one has appeared to have gotten fatter over Thanksgiving. I would also like to know that if this fish is pregnant how long before she will lay the eggs?

From: Faith 12/04/01
Subject: Re: pregnant Upsidedown Catfish?
?

From: Karen 12/04/01
Subject: Don't know
I searched the net and this is what I found. I hope I did this right for copyright. In the North American Catfish Society Vol. 1 No. 1 Jan. 1996 there appeared an article entitled "Luck In A Bucket" by Jay and Mary Ann Angros. The authors keep some of their fishes outdoors in the summer. The catfish were placed in a five gallon bucket full of clay pots and PVC pipe from their regular tank. One author, Jay, took the bucket outside and promptly forgot about it for two days! When the bucket of fish was remembered and checked, the authors found fifty eggs in one piece of PVC. The fish were then brought back inside and placed in a tank that was completely full of crockery and PVC pipes. Sometime later this tank was broken down for cleaning and seven S. nigriventris fry were found. The spawning tank had pH 6.8 and the temperature fluctuated between 78F and 82F. The tank had about an inch of gravel over an under gravel filter. Tankmates included skunk Botia and other Synodontis spp. The fish were fed mainly frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, and ProGreen (a mixture of green, clams, and shrimp). Based on the account above, it would seem that any attempt at spawning the USD Synodontis requires, at a minimum, the following: A well-rounded high quality diet Drastic temperature drops to initiate spawning Soft acidic water Suitable spawning sites

From: Beth 12/03/01
Subject: New tank
I am starting a new tank. A 29 gallon that has been established is being given to me unfortunately I have no desire to keep the fish that are in it at the moment, so I will be faced with selling the previous inhabitants. Anyway my plans for the tank are for a geophagus jurapari(earth eater), a farlowella catfish, and a weather loach. Any ideas on how this community will do and I want to ensure that my research is correct and these will all get along fine without problems. I know you guys have some of the best info on the net being that you have personal experiences to go on. Please let me know your comments and questions. THANKS SO MUCH!!

From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: New tank
I like the jurapari but it is a large fish reaching 10-12 inches. I saw one once at a petstore, someone had brought it in and I swear it exceeded 12 inches but it might have been the tank made it look bigger. They are attractive, and do well in groups. They can be kept with like sized gouramis, sharks, peaceful cichlids. Like other cichlids they like to dig. You can keep them as singles or groups.

From: fire ice 12/03/01
Subject: how to grow your own fry food
I just read on another site how to grow your own rotifiers and infusoria: http://animalatlas.com/encyclo/information/freshwater_fish/common_foods.htm trust me, it's really worth it! I've looked at the water before and after under a microscope and there are so many of them even in just one drop, it's amazing! I feed them letuce that I've popped in the microwave for about 25 seconds and it works great. I'd like to hear if anyone has actually used them as fry food (the only fry I have now are guppies and they are fairly large, at one month) but at any rate, they're fun to watch!

From: Stacy 12/04/01
Subject: Re: how to grow your own fry food
When I breed my bettas, I set the tank up a week or so before hand and let the infusoria grow. I breed the bettas in that tank and now I watch the fry eat them right up! I feed them baby brine shrimp also, but I think they like the infusoria better!

From: Vickie 12/03/01
Subject: setting up new tank
I have had a 5 gal UGF for 2 years(goldfish) After many delays I am now setting up a 10 gal with a whisper power filter. I was told to let it run with no fish for 3 or 4 days then add 1 or 2 fish. Two questions: Would it be a good idea to use some of the gravel from the old tank(even though I'm changing gravel color) or could I use some of the carbon from the current tank canister, add it to the bio bag cartridge in the new tank? My other question is after fish have been in for awhile when do I do my first partial water change? And how long until I vacuum gravel? I believe last time I waited 2 weeks, does that sound right. I have never done any testing of water and have never had any problems. Thanks in advance.

From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: setting up new tank
Does your canister have floss of some kind? I transfer small pieces of that to a newly setup tank. Do not rinse it, it might look a little dirty but that is ok, you only need a small piece. Once you do this your biobugs need fish to expell waste to feed them. If you are transfering some media I would let the tank run 24 hours just to make sure everything is running fine, transfer teh used filter media and add the fish. I start my water changes the next week.

From: Vickie 12/03/01
Subject: Re: setting up new tank
Yes I have some floss in my canister. Do I put it in the bio bag with the carbon? Is the gravel not a good idea or is the floss just better? Should I put one fish in at a time, waiting a few days in between? I am getting so many different opinions about water changing and gravel cleaning. Several people told me not to do a water change or clean gravel for 4 week. 4 weeks with goldfish seems like a long time, seems like the tank will get really dirty. Thanks so much for your help.

From: fire ice 12/03/01
Subject: Re: setting up new tank
well, the gravel thing would be ok to do, but switching some of the filter floss will work just as well so this way you won't have to pick different-colored gravel out in a few weeks. I'm assuming you probably have 2 goldfish inm the 5 gal, so you could "feed" the empty tank for a while before adding the fish one at a time . "feed" the tank about 3 flakes the first day and then work it up until you are feeding what 1 fish would eat (work it up over about a week) then, after another half-week of this, add fish #1, wait a week and a half, and add fish #2. Good luck!

From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: setting up new tank
Yes, there are many ways of doing it. Two important things that you have to be sure of. Decide the easiest way for you. Keeping the biobugs alive. You can either do this by feeding with flake food or adding the fish one at a time or all at once. (Personally I add them all at once if I am seeding a new tank with used floss, just use a little more). You can transfer the gravel but as ice said, later you have to pick out the different colored gravel. Two, keeping the tank clean. Like I said before I start the tank on my weekly cleaning schedule right away. I do not want the ammonia building up as this really stresses the fish. After that I do not want the debris building up. If you feel you should wait a couple of weeks then do so but watch the ammonia. Just add the floss to the filter, if it has a bag for floss put it in there or on top as long as it has water going through it. I usually put it on top imagining the biobugs filtering down to the rest of the media quicker that way.

From: Debbie 12/03/01
Subject: Stripe & Pink Convicts Spawning
I have a black stripe convict and a pink convict. Can they be matched together? This is the second batch of eggs, the 1st batch didn't hatch or got eaten. Also, the black striped convict has turned real pale this time. The pink one is guarding the eggs and the black stays outside the cave cuz the pink one chases the other out.. Is all of this normal? Or do I have 2 females. Thank you

From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: Stripe & Pink Convicts Spawning
You could have 2 females. You can miix the two, the pink is the same as the stripe, just an aquarium bred color. One way I tell teh sexes apart is to look at teh top fin. Males tend to have a longer pointed fin and the females look blunt or rounded. In the striped the females can have a red to their bellies, males sometimes do but to a lesser degree. Not sure about the pink ones.

From: Raul 12/02/01
Subject: My tiger barbs are not acting right
I have a pack of tiger barbs and they are not being very active as of recently. When i first got them and for about 5 months now they have been fine, but i got a shark that had ich and one of my barbs got it and died. I cured the Ich i got that all treated but now the rest of my barbs are just staying at the top of the tank not being very active someone please help me I don't want to lose anymore.

From: Rebecca 12/02/01
Subject: Re: My tiger barbs are not acting right
Well, I could ask you a ton of questions to narrow down the possibilites, but first I advise a water change. If you normally change water every week as part of your maintenance, do a large change, 30-50%. If you haven't been doing water changes, start smaller, 10-20%, as by now your tank water and your tap water might be vastly different. I have a feeling it's a water quality problem, and water changes are the quickest way to resolve this. Fish hovering near the surface can mean lack of oxygen, and some ich medications can damage the bacteria which consume waste products in the tank, causing ammonia or nitrite levels to rise and stress the fish. If you don't have test kits, you don't necessarily need them -- I would change water daily until the fish start acting normally or until you can provide more info. A surprising number of fish ailments can be treated with water changes alone. If you want to answer a bunch of questions... are there other fish in the tank? Are they acting normally? Is your filter and heater working properly? What is your usual tank maintenance? Do you clean the gravel, change water, etc, and how often?

From: Karen 12/03/01
Subject: Re: My tiger barbs are not acting right
I agree with Rebecca, my first thought was ammonia. How long has this tank been set up?

From: kyel 12/04/01
Subject: Re: My tiger barbs are not acting right
OK I'm a fish store owner. and whan I have problems with them doing that. what I find that works is increase the air volume in tank ?? what kind of shark? becuase sharks are nippers one other thing U can try is put some pvc piping 1inch and cut them into 5-6 inch peaces I would pefur if we can do this through e-mail there is to many things to sift through

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