pleco is alone in the tank now not sure what to do

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 31 Dec 2006, 15:10

Our goldfish passed away overnight last night. I am sad, as I was getting attached to it and we only had the one. It got caught between the tank and the pseudo rock and the pleco's tail (during the day yesterday), and on the first day we got him had gotten caught in the plastic greens we had in there. (We took out the greens.) We just got the pleco and the goldfish about a week ago. He always looked nervous.
They were in that 2 gallon tank. Might the goldfish have died from dropping those algae wafers in? (I still need to get the catfish food mentioned before) I had put two wafers in (1 each night) The first one either was eaten or dissolved after the first night, so we put another in last night.
I would like to get another goldfish, as my son enjoyed looking at it more than the pleco. How should I go about getting the water ready for a new fish? Should I do a water change first? Thanks.

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 31 Dec 2006, 17:19

Your tank is to small and there is no room to move around.

Leave the Pleco in there and look for a bigger tank, get the biggest tank, hood and stand you can afford.

The fish probibly got scared and swam fast round the tank and got stuck, with a bigger tank there is more options for the fish to take.

I have lost a few fish through fake plants as there basicly nets in a plant shape, the fish cant get through them, i would get rid of everything except the pseudo rock untill the you have found a bigger tank.

Here is a pic of my new setup after my earth eater ripped my show tank apart. and yes the 3rd pic was done by one 6" fish.

My tank after i spent 5 Hours Aqua-sculpting

My tank after 2 days WTF (He is in the middle of the pic)

My tank after 11 Days (He is off to the left)

My tank after i ripped it all out so i can clean the tank and start again

This is the naughty chunky little fellow

This is my current setup after the (Re-build)

Some other setups that he has distroyed

Last setup Untill HE WRECKED IT!!!

My Rockwork Setup untill he tipped it over by pushing at it over a few weeks.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 31 Dec 2006, 17:42

cf2 wrote:I would like to get another goldfish, as my son enjoyed looking at it more than the pl*co. How should I go about getting the water ready for a new fish? Should I do a water change first? Thanks.

The previous poster apparently wanted to show some of his pictures, which is fine but rather inappropriate in this case.
It's really simple. If your son loves goldfish more, get rid of the pleco, clean the tank thoroughly and let it stand a few days before adding 1 or 2 goldfish. More fish is asking for trouble in 2 gallons. Choose good looking fish at your LFS. I mean fish with spread fins, swimming properly (not hanging somewhere). If someone is intending to catch such a bad fish for you, just refuse. It's going to be your fish, so it's going to be your choice.
And pls don't be rushed in to buying larger tanks.
I hope all works out fine for you.
Happy New Year.

Post by **Birger** » 31 Dec 2006, 18:56

Just a thought for a backup plan,since the reason for the tank is for the well being of your son......there is nothing like live tanks but there are a number of DVD's out there that show fish in aquariums,you could maybe look into these until you get your tank up and running the way you would like.

Birger

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 31 Dec 2006, 21:16

One of you suggested that we get rid of the pleco and just have 1 or 2 goldfish. Is it because the algae wafers pollute the water?
Also, not sure how to "get rid of" a pleco. Would the store take it back?
Should I break the algae wafer in half since there is only 1 pleco, and he is only about 3 inches long right now. I did see him eating the wafer this morning.

Someone suggested that I get a beta instead of a goldfish, could I still have the pleco in there until it got too big? Thanks for all your replies! This is a great forum.

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 31 Dec 2006, 22:28

Marc Van Arc Wrote:

The previous poster apparently wanted to show some of his pictures, which is fine but rather inappropriate in this case.

Whats Inappropriate about showing how good a bigger tank will look???

I think your Inappropriate comment is inappropriate!!!

I have pics so why not show them? if it shows somone that a big tank is not going to be ugaly and they go and get one and set it up and give 15 fish a good home why not.

Please stop posting inappropriate comments,

cf2:

One of you suggested that we get rid of the pl*co and just have 1 or 2 goldfish. Is it because the algae wafers pollute the water?

All food pollutes the water, that what water changes and filtration are for. To be honest Plecos do make a mess but nothing compared to a big goldfish.

I would keep the Pleco but find a bigger home, that way you can have some nice little fish like Tetras, which are so cool to look at.

Also, not sure how to "get rid of" a pl*co. Would the store take it back?

Dont get rid of him, as they are cool fish and every tank should have one.

Should I break the algae wafer in half since there is only 1 pl*co, and he is only about 3 inches long right now.

No leave it whole as its easer for them to "rasp on" you can take it out in the morning.

Try puting a slice of cucumber in the with a weight on there and i bet thats gone in the morning.

I did see him eating the wafer this morning.

Hw will more than likly be eating at night, and hide during the day.

Can you get a pic of it so we can ID it for you and give you an idea on how best to look after him.

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 01 Jan 2007, 01:13

Does anyone have a pic of a clown pleco? Are they hard to find? I will try to get a pic of ours, but he hides against the dark things in the tank and can be hard to see..

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 01 Jan 2007, 10:40

Iporangensis Headach wrote:Marc Van Arc Wrote:
The previous poster apparently wanted to show some of his pictures, which is fine but rather inappropriate in this case.
Whats Inappropriate about showing how good a bigger tank will look???

I think your Inappropriate comment is inappropriate!!!

I have pics so why not show them? if it shows somone that a big tank is not going to be ugaly and they go and get one and set it up and give 15 fish a good home why not.

Please stop posting inappropriate comments,

You are not helping these people with things they do not want. The initial question has nothing to do with a larger tank.
If you want to show pictures of your tank start a new thread.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 01 Jan 2007, 11:32

Amen to that.

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 01 Jan 2007, 13:09

cf2 wrote:

Our goldfish passed away overnight last night. I am sad, as I was getting attached to it and we only had the one. It got caught between the tank and the pseudo rock

My husband just got a small tank- maybe 2 gallons, from a local discount store

Racoll Wrote:

Unfortunately in addition to a bad choice of fish, you weren't sold a suitable tank either.

I don't believe a two gallon tank is really suitable for any kind of fish, let alone a goldfish and a plec.

To give the goldfish an acceptable standard of welfare I would choose a tank of at least 30 gallons.

In a two gallon tank the fish will be subjected to rapidly changing temperatures and very high levels of pollution. There will also be little room to swim or hide.

He may last a couple of years, but that's all. Goldfish are naturally very long-lived if given a good life, and some varieties can live well over 20 years.

Sorry to make this sound like a lecture, but if you can afford or have room for a bigger tank, it will a lot more enjoyable for the fish and your son.

I hope this has been of some help.quote]

Sorry Marc/Jon this has everything to do with the size of the tank, a fish has died in a tank that was far to small. if a pic is shown to someone who then thinks this looks good I really want to get one that big, then that stops any more cruel living conditions.

And if you really want to know, I had a very small tank and I got sown a pic of a 4ft tank on there forum and that's what made me go get my 4ft tank!!!

I am not trying to "Post pics to show LOOK at me" I am trying to show a big tank and how it looks to hopefully spur cf2 on to getting one or at least considering it.

cf2:
Is this what you have.

If so I have 2 of them in my tank, you never see them, I do have a video of them with my night vision camera feeding, as that's the only way I get to see them.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 01 Jan 2007, 13:28

Iporangensis Headach wrote: I am trying to show a big tank and how it looks to hopefully spur cf2 on to getting one or at least considering it.

I'm not questioning your helpfulness; imo your help went into the wrong direction.
But, especially when reading the last part of the above quote, I think cf2 is the one to judge about that and not me.

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 01 Jan 2007, 13:37

I'm not questioning your helpfulness; imo your help went into the wrong direction.
But, especially when reading the last part of the above quote, I think cf2 is the one to judge about that and not me.

Thats all i am trying to do, maybee going about it the wrong way but the thought was there or maybe not in this case

kev · Post by **kev** » 01 Jan 2007, 16:55

Nice pic's Iporangensis, and some good advise even if you did get jumped on a bit, it happen's a bit round here

.

cf2 the thing with a lot of pleco's mate is they can be a bit territorial, and in such a small tank thing's can get a bit heated, also they are quite messy and feeding him waffer's is gona make him crap a bit so your water quality probebly won't be great, i would atleast add a sponge filter to help. But if you can offoad the plec then that might be a good idea. Good luck mate.

Kev

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 02 Jan 2007, 02:46

1) I thought the pics of the tank were interesting and OK as far as appropriateness, goes. I was somewhat inspired for the future. I might not have my next tank be so big, until we get our interior painted and are ready for decoration. I was wondering how that fish destroyed the set up. My pleco is a common one, I think., Someone told me that a clown pleco would not grow as big as a common one, so maybe I should consider trading to that. So I wanted to see what that was. Is that the same as a tiger 'plecostia'?
2) If I don't feed the pleco algae wafers, what would he eat that wouldn't have him mess up the tank so much? There are still no other fish in the tank getting food. Was the pleco eating the goldfish food before I started feeding him wafers? The goldfish chowed down. I never saw the pleco eat, just rasp the glass and the pseudo-rock.
3) I have noticed that the water is a bit more murky, smells a bit musty, too. Have not done a water change since we set up the tank a few days before Christmas. What percentage should we change out?
Do we just bail out some water and add some tap water, or does it have to sit a bit? Thanks!

kev · Post by **kev** » 02 Jan 2007, 10:49

the plec will eatpretty much whatever the goldfish leave behind, and when you see him on the glass he is eating an algae that is starting to form. 1 whole algae wafer per day (i assume?) is too much, perhaps use them as a treat once or twice a week, and then snap it in half.

as for water changes get a little bottle of Tapsafe from your lfs and add that to the new water, also i mentioned a sponge filter before, do you have a filter? if not i really recommend getting one. You will see a difference in a matter of day's, and it will help maintain water quality thus prolonging your fish's life.

Kev

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 02 Jan 2007, 11:53

Hi. Please check out this thread, as it is quite relevant to this one.

It might be a good idea to merge the two threads.

cf2, I would say your best course of action is to return the fish and tank to the store, and start again with a larger tank and a good quality filter. If you don't, I would guess your pleco will end up with the goldfish.

If you want to keep goldfish and plecos, a three foot tank with an external power filter is really needed to cope with their waste.

I don't think the clown pleco is really suitable to be kept with goldfish. It is a wild fish that prefers higher tempertures and low nitrate levels. The bristlenose pleco is however perfect. .

I would recommend you buy a few books on keeping fish. Maybe someone in the USA could recommend some?

cf2, I have PM'd a good article on fishkeeping to you. That should point you in the right direction.

I hope your lack of success with fish doesn't put you off, as when things go right, keeping fish can be a very rewarding hobby.

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 02 Jan 2007, 20:06

cf2:

I was wondering how that fish destroyed the set up.

He grabs the offending item in his mouth and swims up with it ripping it out of the ground. I wish I could show you the rockwork setup (In the pics at the start of the thread) when he wrecked that, he put his mouth round the rocks in the middle which are quite large and then swap as hard as he could for ages, I just left him to it as I "Stupidly" thought he will never move that, and walked away.

20 Seconds later the whole lot crashed down. but under the wood to the left of the rocks I have a 7" L022 Pleco "Spotty" who looks like a tank got buried under there. He was ok though.

The current setup needs re-doing as he has tipped that upside down.

I was somewhat inspired for the future. I might not have my next tank be so big, until we get our interior painted and are ready for decoration.

Then wait. but don't get put off.

My pl*co is a common one, I think., Someone told me that a clown pl*co would not grow as big as a common one, so maybe I should consider trading to that.

I have had 2 clown pleco's for a while now (About 6 months) and there only 1" long, I would swap the common for a clown if I was you, and get a box filter and get 6 Neon Tetras. take out a cup of water every day and replace it with one with a bit of tape safe about a single drop in the bottom of the cup. and then fill with new water. an air stone would be good as well. I don't see you having a problem with 6 small fish and a small Pleco for a few months in a tank your size but you MUST change the water every day to keep the water looking good. I would definitely get a heater if you haven't already.

Best practise would be to start again with the biggest tank you can afford but you might have got attached to the fish you have already but you don't want this giggling at you in your tank!!!

Sandtiger · Post by **Sandtiger** » 02 Jan 2007, 21:03

IMO I think you should take the pleco back to the LFS if you can. A 2g really is not a good tank for virtually any species of fish, especially large sized, high bio-load speices like goldfish and plecos.Honestly I think your goldfish probably died due to water quality more then anything else. How often have you been cleaning the tank? Was there a filter on it? For a tank like that to work you would have had to change the water just about every other day, especially if you did not have a filter. In addition to getting rid of the pleco I suggest getting rid of the tank, smaller tanks are not easy, I hate small tanks. I don't like anything smaller then 10g myself. Many newbies think smaller tanks will be more easy. They aren't. It's easier for temps to change rapidly. It's easy to overfeed and thus pollute the smaller volume of water. They require more tank cleaning and a very limited amount of species. I think something like a 29g would be your best bet for a starter tank. If you cannot afford it look around, there are lots of used tanks being sold all over the place. When you do decide to setup a proper tank then make sure you research the fish you buy first and make sure you learn how to and properly achive a cycle in that tank.

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 03 Jan 2007, 01:28

Our little tank does have a filter that is electric powered. It seems to work hard, as it is a little noisy. I will try to take a pic of it and upload it. I can't believe our little pleco would grow that big. I always thought that a fish would not outgrow the tank. I need to get some tap safe and do the water change. Hopefully the pleco will make it until I get to change it out, either by trading it in, or getting a somewhat bigger tank. I have room for at least a 3 ft tank. Is that 10 gallons? The tank setup we got was a little kit, it looked "so easy"..."Everything you need..."
It is true that the pleco has started defecating quite a bit since we started feeding him an algae wafer a day. The filter sucks it all up in a pretty short time. Will he not starve if we only feed him a tablet twice a week? Should we try feeding him goldfish flakes? He did not make such a mess before we gave him the algae tablet. Thanks again for all the replies!

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 03 Jan 2007, 01:59

3ft tank is around 30Gal, but depends on height and depth, if you get a 36"x12"x15" thats around 30Gal ish.

The filter will suck the waste up but it will get full very quickly. i have a Fluval +4 in my tank and i have to clean it every week as it gets fully blocked. and i have got a very low fish load (Ignore the signeture its out of date) but i do have a 7" L022 Pleco, 4" L001 Pleco, and 2 Clown Pleco's 1" Each, which are the main poopers. i have to clean the filter every week it gets that bad.

When i upgrade to my 10ft tank in about 6 monthes i am using my current 4ft tank as a sump filter.

I feed my Plecs every other day. i also throw in a cucumber every now and again. they also love Bloodworm. they go mad for it. Not as mad as the Eartheater as that takes it out of my hand!

Sandtiger · Post by **Sandtiger** » 03 Jan 2007, 04:42

cf2 wrote:I can't believe our little pl*co would grow that big. I always thought that a fish would not outgrow the tank.

It's a common myth but a myth none-the-less. There is an element of truth, the fish do stay small but it's due to water quality and not tank size. Water quality quickly plummets in such a small volume of water with a growing fish.

I have room for at least a 3 ft tank. Is that 10 gallons? The tank setup we got was a little kit, it looked "so easy"..."Everything you need..."

That's about 30g, or a 20g long.

It is true that the pl*co has started defecating quite a bit since we started feeding him an algae wafer a day. The filter sucks it all up in a pretty short time.

I would rinse off the filter media about once a week but DO NOT replace it, it provides a home for bacteria to grow and convert deadly toxins (ammonia and nitrite) into not-so-deadly toxins (nitrate). I urge you to buy a liquid test kit to test for all three of these things as their levels are very important for the success of an aquarium. It will be worth it once you get a larger tank. When you clean filter media off do it gently in a bucket of tankwater, tap water with chlorine would kill bacteria.

kcmt01 · Post by **kcmt01** » 03 Jan 2007, 05:11

I don't know why fish stores sell 2 gallon tanks. 1 goldfish might survive if you took really good care of it, changing water out every day, with complete changes every week. But to sell you a pleco besides is really ignorant. Our regular old pleco is 8 1/4 inches and still growing. And we keep our goldfish in 500 gallon horse trough!

Sandtiger · Post by **Sandtiger** » 03 Jan 2007, 14:29

kcmt01 wrote:I don't know why fish stores sell 2 gallon tanks. 1 goldfish might survive if you took really good care of it, changing water out every day, with complete changes every week. But to sell you a pl*co besides is really ignorant. Our regular old pl*co is 8 1/4 inches and still growing. And we keep our goldfish in 500 gallon horse trough!

Keeping goldfish in a 2g is no less ignorant then keeping a pleco in one. They grow the same size or larger (in the case of commons or comets) and produce just as much waste. I would not put any species in a2g, even when I keep bettas I keep them in a 5-10g.

kcmt01 · Post by **kcmt01** » 03 Jan 2007, 15:26

Sandtiger wrote:
kcmt01 wrote:I don't know why fish stores sell 2 gallon tanks. 1 goldfish might survive if you took really good care of it, changing water out every day, with complete changes every week. But to sell you a pl*co besides is really ignorant. Our regular old pl*co is 8 1/4 inches and still growing. And we keep our goldfish in 500 gallon horse trough!
Keeping goldfish in a 2g is no less ignorant then keeping a pl*co in one. They grow the same size or larger (in the case of commons or comets) and produce just as much waste. I would not put any species in a2g, even when I keep bettas I keep them in a 5-10g.

The goldfish in our horse tank have lived for years and even have babies once in a while if I put some cover in for them. You'd be lucky to have a goldfish live 2 months in the little bowls the fish store sells you.

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 03 Jan 2007, 17:53

Originally we were just going to get goldfish. My husband decided to get the pleco at the last minute to "help keep the tank clean." (Which is ironic , as it has made a lot more mess than the goldfish.) He read somewhere that they could get along in the same tank. I guess the store figured we knew.
So he can't even live in there by himself, is what I am gathering from this discussion. (That he might go the way of the goldfish if he continues to stay in there.)
Oh well, we are either going to take him back or get a bigger tank. We might have to take him back now, get a bigger tank later and get a new one at that time.

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 04 Jan 2007, 20:04

I would pop back to the/a store and pick up a 3ft tank, stand, hood and light, and keep your 2 gal tank as I used my tiny tank as an emergency tank, if I had a ill fish or a fighting pair I could quickly fill the tiny tank full (From the main tank) and then transfer the fish over. that would give me time to sort out the problem.

That way you can setup your new tank (Cycle it Properly) and then acclimatise them and transfer him over.

That way you can keep your fish and house him properly.

One of the most common mistakes that first-time fish buyers make is not preparing a tank before bringing fish home. A new tank goes through a dangerous cycle of Ammonia and Nitrite buildup which can kill your fish in just the first few days. In order to combat this cycle first you'll need to understand it.

The Nitrogen Cycle is the most important process at work within your aquarium. It is essential for your tank to go through this cycle in order to build the beneficial bacteria neces sary to remove excess ammonia from the tank ecosystem. The most lethal compound produced in the aquarium is ammonia. Fish produce this compound through respiration, and solid waste. Other materials such as decaying leaves from decorative plants in your tank and excess food, also create ammonia. While there are chemicals which can control ammonia buildup, nothing is more efficient than nature itself. Once your tank completes the Nitrogen cycle demonstrated below, beneficial bacteria which feed on ammonia in the water will continually clean your water unless the balance is interupted through use of medications (antibiotics).

If this is your first tank, obviously you do not want to introduce expensive or fragile fish to the punishment of a new tank startup. Many experts will advise you to purchase "suicide fish" for this purpose. Go to your local store and purchase inexpensive, hardy fish like the Danio to start your cycle. Another controversial method is the "empty tank" cycling, which involves "feeding" the empty tank (which just leaves food to decay on the bottom of your tank), or adding household ammonia to the tank). Once again, nothing is more effecient than nature, so we prefer to use live fish and keep the tank clean of excess food and artifical chemicals.

We recommend investing in a testing kit to monitor your pH (high and/or low range), Ammonia, Nitrite, and also Hardness.

If you're lucky enough, you'll be able to use gravel from an established tank, or possibly even a bio-wheel from a working setup. Both of these hold the beneficial bacterial which can can reduce not only the length of the cycle, but the severity of it.

Here is how to Cycle your tank
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 04 Jan 2007, 23:35

So, i will read that link you sent. Do you recommend putting a pouch of bacteria in the larger tank to speed up the cycle? We were told to do that starting that bad tank in Las Vegas, then the water suddenly turned reddish brown, and killed the fish.
Also, sometimes our pleco raises the fin on his back, but mostly it is lowered. I didn't even know it could raise until the other day. Is that from fear?
He raised it when we were trying to wash off the filter. We took some tank water, put it in a cup, and rinsed it in there (and dumped the water from the cup down the drain, as it was rather dirty).
How long would tap water have to sit in a bucket (or the big plastic cup we have it in) before it is safe to add to the tank? The water got a little low when we used it to rinse the filter. The tank needs about 5% water to be full.
Thanks! Still working on trying to get that bigger tank if we can, but it sounds like it will take a while to be ready for our fish. Hope he can last. How long would the 3ft have to sit (or run with the filter on?) to be ready for the Danios? Maybe that info is in that article. Thanks again

Iporangensis Headach · Post by **Iporangensis Headach** » 05 Jan 2007, 00:46

Do you recommend putting a pouch of bacteria in the larger tank to speed up the cycle?

Nope just get the tank running for about a week with no fish in it, then add about 5 Zebra Danios to get the pollution going as this is what makes the bio-load colonise the filer media. you can add a product called Cycle which is the bacteria you need and this will colonise the filter quicker. When adding fish, add one every week, if you do it to quick you will overload the bio-load, you need to add slowly until you reach your stocking level.

sometimes our pl*co raises the fin on his back, but mostly it is lowered. I didn't even know it could raise until the other day. Is that from fear?

All depends, my plecos fins stay down some days and up on others, but when he is in the flow of water he drops it but as you approach the tank he will lift it up as he is getting ready to speed off, he is just preparing himself.

In most swimming fish a dropped dorsal fin is a bad sign. but all of my plecs do the same.

Here is my pleco (Spotty) watching me as I am around the tank (told you he is built like a tank)

How long would tap water have to sit in a bucket (or the big plastic cup we have it in) before it is safe to add to the tank? The water got a little low when we used it to rinse the filter. The tank needs about 5% water to be full.

That's the prob with a small tank. I can take a full bucket out of mine and not see the water drop more than 1"

Take out a jug full and rinse the filter media in that then throw the water and replace the filter, this should be the only water change needed when doing the filter as you don't want to take to much water out.

Then take out a standard cup full everyday and put 1 drop of "Tapesafe" in the cup (I do mean a single drop) and then fill the cup and just pore it in. I would fill the cup 80% and then put 20% boiling water in, that combo is what I use on my buckets and I get 27deg after (Double check before adding) this will stop temp changes.

You can leave tap water 24 hours to be safe but you must aerate it, preferably have a bucket full constantly aerating and just scoop a cup full from there.

Thanks! Still working on trying to get that bigger tank if we can, but it sounds like it will take a while to be ready for our fish. Hope he can last. How long would the 3ft have to sit (or run with the filter on?) to be ready for the Danios? Maybe that info is in that article. Thanks again

The Cycle take about 30 days, and then you are ready to add fish slowly. invest in a test kit and this will confirm on the day when its ready. One fish per week MAX, and don't over stock the tank.

I would recommend getting a shopping list of the fish you like best and the putting it one here and then we can have a look at it and everyone will give you the opinion about what fish and how many.

That way you will know the correct stocking level as we will give you your community list. I would rather see that than this...

cf2 · Post by **cf2** » 05 Jan 2007, 02:09

We got a pic of the pleco, now need to figure out how to upload it.
Do we have to add "Cycle"?
Also, is a filter supposed to make air bubbles in the tank? I think ours used to, but now it is not. Only if we lift it up to the surface. It is still sucking in and pumping out water. Thanks! [/img]

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 05 Jan 2007, 11:48

We got a pic of the pl*co, now need to figure out how to upload it.

See here for instructions on how to post a photo.

You will need the photos to be hosted on a free hosting site such as imageshack, or you could use your personal gallery in your profile.

Do we have to add "Cycle"?

You don't need to add "cycle", but it may help a bit at this stage....

The value of these products is exaggerated. You can't substitute it for the real thing, i.e the natural bacteria that grow in your tank. You really don't need any products to cycle a tank.

The bacteria will just appear naturally.

However your tank is not fully cycled and has a very high fish load, so a but of help can't hurt.

I would also cut down the feeding to a minimum. Just a quarter of a wafer every two days is enough.

More food = more pollution at this stage.

Almost all the info you need to start up and maintain a tank is in the article I PM'd to you.

Also, is a filter supposed to make air bubbles in the tank? I think ours used to, but now it is not.

Some filters have an extra aeration or venturi feature. Sounds like yours is blocked. Not a big problem it the filter is otherwise working.

pleco is alone in the tank now not sure what to do

pleco is alone in the tank now not sure what to do

Re: pl*co is alone in the tank now not sure what to do

is the pleco incompatible with the goldfish?

clown pleco

Thanks!

Re: Thanks!

Goldfish died

Re: Goldfish died

Re: Goldfish died

the plan

pleco raising fin / new tank prep

"cycle"