Community Tanks

[betta blue]

You guys have helped me so much that I'm asking for more help. Though I have specnt hours on the internet, your advice means more to me. I have now had my two 5 gal. and two 10 gal. tanks for awhile, I'm looking at getting some more fish that work within those aquarium settings all with plants. A 30 to 50 gal. is inevitable for the Pl*co...probably within three months looking at how fast he's growing. But in the interim, can you help me with the individual aquariums to keep them ecologically friendly. This is what I'm thinking:

1. Blue Betta Splenden in a five gallon by himself. Poor guy dealt with lots of fish disease but after "his filter system" didn't work til we got it working two days later, he's been by himself...used to have a plec and an albino in his aquarium. I'd like to get him his own "bristlenose",

2, Red's aquarium has Blue's albino (though they sold it as a bristlenose, I believe it's an oto albino...the oto's rally around him and he looks the same as them). I plan on buying 3 more Oto's for the 5 gal. which will then be 1 betta, 1 albino oto, 5 otos...is that okay?

3. Wally's aquarium currently has the apple snail, and a proper bristlenose who is very shy. I have a snail problem in this aquarium though I have manually discarded many of them...the Apple Snail in one day appears to have taken care of some as well. I am planning 2 cherry shrimp to take care of the brown algae that is from one plant I bought and not cause it's a new aquarium setting...I see the brown algae forming on the plant and they can also help the Apple Snail get rid of the tiny "pond" snails.

4. Sammy's aquarium with my big "Pl*co"...he's important and has already grown in width and size about three times since I bought him. He will have a 30 gal. in time. But for now, I'm looking at 3 bronze corydoras to keep the aquarium clean?

I've requested 4 portions of Java Moss to keep everyone happy. One in each aquarium.

I've spent hours on the internet looking for not only compatable fish but also ones that can deal with 80 to 82 degree settings.

I would very much appreciate your input. I am attempting to keep an ecological aquarium based on waste, algae, plants, etc... Other than high tanin in one tank that appears to be okay, the other three are clear and look healthy even the one with all the snails that I have attempted to remove manually and now have the apple snail in it to take care of the little guys...I did scrunch the very small ones so hopefully the betta splenden would eat, looks okay. I'm having trouble distinguishing the types of plants I have but am very happy that I do have live plants to help with the "poo". Somehow, all the aquaruims look healthy even with my lack of knowledge. Appreciate any more info I can get.

Thx,
Betta Blue...my poor Betta that has survived everything including a filter malfunction! Thank God he can deal without extras...too bad it was like minus 20 degrees celcius and he had no heater for a day and a half. He survived again and still looks beautiful!

Shar

[MatsP]

You guys have helped me so much that I'm asking for more help. Though I have specnt hours on the internet, your advice means more to me. I have now had my two 5 gal. and two 10 gal. tanks for awhile, I'm looking at getting some more fish that work within those aquarium settings all with plants. A 30 to 50 gal. is inevitable for the Pl*co...probably within three months looking at how fast he's growing. But in the interim, can you help me with the individual aquariums to keep them ecologically friendly. This is what I'm thinking:

1. Blue Betta Splenden in a five gallon by himself. Poor guy dealt with lots of fish disease but after "his filter system" didn't work til we got it working two days later, he's been by himself...used to have a plec and an albino in his aquarium. I'd like to get him his own "bristlenose",

Sounds like a good plan. If you get a small one, it'll have time to grow before you need to move it on [they do grow a little bit big for a 5 gal tank, really]. Or perhaps

Parotocinclus jumbo

or similar?

2, Red's aquarium has Blue's albino (though they sold it as a bristlenose, I believe it's an oto albino...the oto's rally around him and he looks the same as them). I plan on buying 3 more Oto's for the 5 gal. which will then be 1 betta, 1 albino oto, 5 otos...is that okay?

I've never heard of an albino Oto. I'd hazzard a guess that it's an albino bristlenose and the Oto's are just seeing it as an equal because they like the company.

Time will tell if I'm right or not....

3. Wally's aquarium currently has the apple snail, and a proper bristlenose who is very shy. I have a snail problem in this aquarium though I have manually discarded many of them...the Apple Snail in one day appears to have taken care of some as well. I am planning 2 cherry shrimp to take care of the brown algae that is from one plant I bought and not cause it's a new aquarium setting...I see the brown algae forming on the plant and they can also help the Apple Snail get rid of the tiny "pond" snails.

Brown algae is probably becuase it is a new tank, despite it growing on one plant only... But never mind, it's doesn't really matter what I think...

4. Sammy's aquarium with my big "Pl*co"...he's important and has already grown in width and size about three times since I bought him. He will have a 30 gal. in time. But for now, I'm looking at 3 bronze corydoras to keep the aquarium clean?

Clean from what? Corys eat leftover food at the bottom, but so does a "common pleco".

I've requested 4 portions of Java Moss to keep everyone happy. One in each aquarium.

I've spent hours on the internet looking for not only compatable fish but also ones that can deal with 80 to 82 degree settings.

For catfish in that temp-range, you can use the new Search feature: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/search.php - you can select temperature range and size as well as which family you want. That's exactly what it is for... Not sure if anyone else has a similar feature for other fish...

Although I'm not sure if you really need 80-82'F for the Betta splendens - there's quite a wide range of 24-30'C for these, which translates to 75-86 or so. Is there anything else in your tank that requires that strict a temperature range?

I would very much appreciate your input. I am attempting to keep an ecological aquarium based on waste, algae, plants, etc... Other than high tanin in one tank that appears to be okay, the other three are clear and look healthy even the one with all the snails that I have attempted to remove manually and now have the apple snail in it to take care of the little guys...I did scrunch the very small ones so hopefully the betta splenden would eat, looks okay. I'm having trouble distinguishing the types of plants I have but am very happy that I do have live plants to help with the "poo". Somehow, all the aquaruims look healthy even with my lack of knowledge. Appreciate any more info I can get.

Thx,
Betta Blue...my poor Betta that has survived everything including a filter malfunction! Thank God he can deal without extras...too bad it was like minus 20 degrees celcius and he had no heater for a day and a half. He survived again and still looks beautiful!

Shar

Bettas are pretty tolerant to temperature variations (they can live in small puddles in nature), and they tolerate VERY poor water conditions by breathing atmospheric oxygen (taking gulps of air), so they are much more tolerant than some other types of fish to these things.

--
Mats

[betta blue]

I like the pitbull stats and will look into seeing if it can be ordered into the shop I've been buying from.

Thanks for the advise on the albino. I'm sure you are absolutely right. I was mistaken cause he's as little as the Oto's and they seem to have this common bond.

I don't know how many "pond" snails I've now scrunched...much more than a hundred...they're laying eggs that I can now identify and attempt to destroy. I'm not sure if the Betta, Apple Snail or the bristlenose have helped contain them cause every day, I "scrunch" snails on the glass.

I was concerned about fish waste cause I've seen the amount of poo that the L. Paradis does but I think the plants are doing well with it. I'm still thinking I will be getting Bronze corydoras to help with the scrunched snail situation in the other tank to clean up dead bodies that I've scrunched. I can't comment whether the Betta Slenden or Apple Snail have helped but daily, I scrunch baby snails and destroy egg groups.

As you can tell, I've become a Catfish...they are wonderful and peaceful...and Betta Splenden fan...and they both seem to live together well.

I'm still a little apprehesive of the shrimp and from my readings it looks like cherry, blue or tiger striped grow small and wouldn't be a threat to the fish I have.

I'm still not totally sure about Java moss. I know it grows horrendously at the bottom of aquariums. can that be a problem with gravel cleaning.

As a small note, I always am concerned about temperatures and fish that can endure them....it's cause in my 2 five gallon tanks, though I bought a heaters for 5 gallon tanks, I can't reduce the temp. on the heater and the tank remains at 82 degrees. The two 10 gallon tanks appear to have options in temperature...with our bitter cold snap, they went down to 76 degrees quickly before we realized and increased the heater.

Again, thank you for your input...your advise has been invaluable to me!

Shar
Betta Blue

[MatsP]

Answers in somewhat random order...

Hmm. I don't like non-adjustable heaters - they tend to rely on being low enough wattage to not heat the water too much, which depends on the difference between the water and room temperature to be "right".

Here is a link to a heater that I like - VisiTherm's 25W model. I have one of that precise model in my wife's small tank, and the 300W model in my large tank (after the Juwel supplied one decided to not work any longer).

L. pardalis are definitely "poo-machines" (some other plecos are pretty good at that too!). Not sure if it's directly useful for the plants, but eventually they will definitely benefit. However, I'd suggest using a gravel vacuum to siphon up most of the poo when cleaning the tank.

So far, it appears that you've only sampled a few of the different catfish families. There are more to enjoy!

I haven't had Java moss in any of my tanks for many years - I think we had a lump of it in one of my first tanks when I was a young lad...

Still don't know a thing about shrimps (other than the ones you eat...)

--
Mats

[betta blue]

Thanks again for the info. I went onto the heater sight and will try one. The 25 watt top fin heaters I have in both 5 gallon aquariums went up to 86 last night and even after a partial water change, they are still at 84 tonight. I reduced the settings on them to below the lowest setting on them...I actually thought I had turned them off. Everyone is surviving in them but I'm worried if I'm not around for 12 hours (daily) that they might fry my guys. I am trying to keep a close watch but don't want to do too many water changes to compensate. Will definately contact the heater site.

The two 10 gal aquariums had Neptune heaters. With the one that didn't work and the temperatures plummeted, the pet shop replaced it on warranty.

As you've heard, I'm not as quesy anymore at scrunching snails. I still have a lot of them in the one 10 gal tank everytime I look at it. I haven't allowed any of them to grow. Not sure if the Apple snail that I do want is doing much for control but I get upset when periodically, I see a pond snail on the Apple's snail's shell.

The ten gal. with tanin has three snails that are growing and I can accept them...I don't do snail scrunching in that tank and don't see a snail overload. Does the L. Paridis eat snails? Didn't see that in my research.

Also, the bristlenose (8cm guy) has finally come out of his driftwood den and is on the glass. Again, my research shows him as a vegetarian. Does he eat the eggs on the glass? Don't understand his change from shy to on the glass.

Neither bristlenose are growing fast...after about a month having them, they look close to the same size I bought them. Unlike my favorite L. paradis who seems to grow cms with each month. At this rate, I see Feb or Mar is when I need to have the 30 gal. tank in order. I'm trying to figure out which fish to put in with him...I would appreciate any suggestions. I would like to plan it out in advance.

Thx
Shar
Betta Blue...he's still swimming even after 86 degrees

[MatsP]

Bristlenoses grow quite quickly when they are really small (1" or so). Feed them on Courgette (zucchini) with a suitable "sinking implement" (teaspoons work well - I have a set of very basic stainless steel teaspoons for this purpose, cost me about a pound, so less than $2, for . Make sure there's "always" some food there, but don't leave it long enough to go off (no more than 24 hours or so).

All sorts of other veggie food is also taken - tinned beans (not the baked version tho') will work well too - remove the skin [even if you don't, it will most likely just lay about in the tank afterwards].

Squash, melon, pumpkin and such are really nice too. Potatos, sweet potato (yam) and such work well. Broccoli stems too.

--
Mats

[betta blue]

Thank you Matts for being there! I would like to send you a "happy new year" and hope you have a wonderful 2007!

I lost my favorite Betta to dropsy yesterday. I tried but couldn't save him. I now have two glass (ghost) catfish in my 10 gallon tank with a betta and a bristlenose who is about 6cm (2 1/2 in). I'm not sure about feeding them? I've used both tropical fish flakes and freeze dried bloodworms. The Betta seems to eat everything I put into the tank. But it's been two weeks and the two ghost catfish are surviving so they must be eating something? Any input on care of a ghost catfish would be greatly appreciated.

Though I still have snails in both 10 gallon aquariums, they have knocked down to respectable numbers...I think the Betta is eating their eggs.

I put a number of the bigger snails into an old Betta Bowl and they all seem to be surviving. I don't know what I'm going to do with them. I still have a few in both tanks, but I don't worry about them anymore...it's not as outrageous as when I first asked for help.

After Red (my betta) died, the Oto's are being frisky and I see them during the day? But the tank looks empty and I'm thinking of getting another Betta for it. Guess I'm getting a little more hard boiled and accepting mortality of my beautiful fish. The albino bristlenose is getting bigger but never had a problem of showing "herself".

I now have a dwarf frog in with the apple snail and a Betta Slenden (Blue). The poor frog sits on the snails shell for protection but seems to be okay...it's been a few weeks now. I want to get another bristlenose for that tank cause the apple snail is not doing well with the algae...it's the only tank I need to scrub. I saw this beautiful white polka dotted bristlenose that doesn't look as shy as my other leopard looking bristlenose that only comes out when he thinks no one is looking...but he's cleaning the glass real good! But cause it's only a five gallon aquarium, I look at my albino bristlenose who maybe has grown twice the size since I bought her...but she's only about 4 cm now. I would move the apple to a 10 gallon and look at the bristlenose as a temporary 5 gallon til I move my lovely L. Paralis to a bigger home...he is now about 12cm...close to 5 inches...he is with one betta in a 10 gallon tank. I know...I'm looking for a bigger tank for him that hopefully, I will have within the next month. He'll always be special. With a 50 gallon tank, if he is the only fish in the tank, can I kinda max it and let him be in it by himself till he gets 10 inches? I love the guy and don't think I can do much bigger but what is the minimum size of tank I can accommodate him when he's full grown if I keep him by himself?

I appreciate all your advise.

Again, Happy New Year!

[snowball]

Hi Shar, sorry to hear about the loss of your betta.

With regards to the glass cats, if they aren't seen to be eating during the day then they will probably be picking up scraps after the lights go out, as they are predominately a nocturnal fish.

If you are worried that they are not getting enough food, try feeding them at night and I think you will find that they will venture out more. If the lights are on a timer then the glass cats will be anticipating them switching off and you can start feeding them earlier and earlier, they will soon learn when to expect food.

Also keep in mind that they do like to school in large numbers and so they may be more timid if you have just a pair. I know you don't have a big tank, but if you have the opportunity to add a couple more glass cats then you should find they become less shy.

I have almost 30 glass cats in one of my tanks and as soon as the lights go out they venture out of the shadows and very actively swim back and forth along the length of the tank. They will also do this during the day if live food is offered, but clearly they prefer the darkness.

-andrew

[betta blue]

Thank you Andrew for understanding my loss of a wonderful fish!

With the glass (ghost) cat fish, I had originally purchased three but one died through the night. I was concerned about the size they got and not putting too many into the 10 gal. tank. Afraid the Betta right now with them is harassing them but they are very quick. Could the Betta have killed the one over night? The glass catfish are active all day...swimming around actively. Without knowing it beforehand, they are in a tank with duckweed...though I'm struggling getting off the leaves from the filter. I think maybe the diffused light works for them. The betta is eating everything I seem to put into the tank...freeze dried blood worms that the Betta wouldn't look at til the catfish came around; tropical fish flakes that I didn't even think Betta's eat and of course the frozen bloodworms that the Betta gorges on. I just lost Red to dropsy...I don't want Wally...the betta in the catfish tank...to overeat either. I will try feeding the catfish after the lights go off.

Thank you for you input!

Shar

[apistomaster]

Cherry Shrimp do best alone or with very small fish like Boraboras maculata and they do best in colonies of 20 or more. I raise them and that is the consensus off other breeders and my own experience with them. I have a couple tanks of cherries and easily 200 shrimp. I started with just 20.

[butterfly]

Your bettas will most likely see the cherry shrimp as a food item
If your seeing a snail explosion you may be overfeeding. Snails multiply according to the food available for them. A good water change,gravel vacuum and a reduction of food should see you in good shape snail wise
Carol

[betta blue]

Thank you Andrew for your reply! My two glass catfish seem to have a major bond. They are together always until food comes out. It's hard for me to figure out whether they are eating or not. I've seen them pick off a tropical fish flake before the Betta devours them all. I've read that they are virtually blind so only use their sense of feeling and probably smell to determine if there is food. My first package of fish flakes had no smell but I got a second one that is quite poignant to my smell. I'm putting the food on top of the duckweed so they may have a chance to get to it. I have now noticed that the Betta is going up there too...oh well! My nightly feeding is after I turn the lights off but I can't tell who's eating it then. And then my last concern is that if the food goes to the bottom, I can't tell. I've now had the two glass catfish for over a month. Body size, they look fine. I hope that means that they are getting enough food. There are two and I believe there is a male and a female...one is definately bigger than the other. They stay together constantly. My ten gal. tank now has one two inch bristlenose, an apple snail whose shell is about 1 inch high, a betta splendin and the two glass catfish. The glass catfish seem to be doing well with each other. I'm trying not to overload a tank. Do you still suggest I get more glass (ghost) catfishes for a 10 gal. tank? I must advit that the Betta is constantly harrassing them but they seem to have accepted it and of course, much faster than the betta.

Betta Blue
Shar