AboutBenty Expertise GOT A QUESTION ABOUT:
Basic needs for specific fish, illnesses, best tankmates, breeding, water chemistry, tricks to safely cut corners, and/or “stupid” questions? Maybe I can help! :)
I like to explain why you do things in aquariums (like why to use spring instead of distilled, or what pH numbers mean, ect.) so you understand why and not just taking someone’s word for it. I also like giving answers where you have two choices so you can choose which is best for the time and money you can commit to your fish. I understand how tight money can be and how expensive fish related things get.
I will NEVER leave you with an “I don’t know.” Ever. I hate that. That would waste your time and that's just mean. :)
Puedo contestar tus preguntas en español también.
Experience I have had tropical fish since 1999. I currently have: a 55gal, ten 10gal, 3 five gallons, three 2gal, and a bunch of jars and bowls. At the time I'm typing this, I have: 14 angels, 13 goldfish, 73 bettas, 12 barbs, 5 catfish, too many guppies, 4 gouramis, 2 plecos, 10 loaches, bunch of swordtails, and probably a few others, lol.
I love to rescue fish. I've had everything from mutant danios, to one eyed goldfish, to my newest adoptee, a 2 year old betta with a MASSIVE tumor problem. He was brought to a pet shop and left there because the lady didn't know what to do with him. He's pretty scary looking. One of the guys at the store there I know let me have him. :D YAY! Elephant Man lives in a gallon bowl with pretty stones in my bathroom.
Plus!!!
I sell: veil, delta, halfmoon, plakat, and crowntail bettas as well as halfblack and blonde tuxedo fancy guppies. Ask me about it sometime.
Expert: Benty Date: 11/13/2007 Subject: Mixing cold and tropicals....Long term success?
Question I bought my daughter a 30 litre cold water aquarium (approx 50 cm tall,40cm curved frontage with 25cm depth in a trangular shape). I did everything as best I knew...cycled it for a week, used conditioner, planted it out etc. We duely went along to the pet store a chose two stunning examples of Ryukin...now according to my research this was already overloaded....especially as they grow large (they are now approx 2 inches long in the body) So I upgraded the filtration and now run a 'bubbly sponge' filter and an undergravel one which waterfalls aereated water back into the tank.
Now here's where the problem starts...we had such collective pleasure from keeping these thriving fish that I went and bought two danios (one leopard, one zebra) to add some quick moving/different colours/ interest to the tank. I had read that they were hardy and accepting of the cooler end of tropical temp ranges. These guys have also flourished in the last few months growing close to 2 inches also. Now I think I've gone too far and added a small school(6) of neon tetras!....we are on day 4 and everyone seems quite happy, the tetras are even coming out to the front now :^)the goldfish and danios don't seem to consider the tetras as a food source and anyway they are quick to hide in the plants should anything scary happen!!
My question is that I suspect I will need a heater come the cooler months (I live in Queensland, Australia) It averages around 24 degrees alot of the year indoors...much below this I'm not sure the tetras will survive.I think I will need a heater?...I am also doing once weekly 25-30% water changes, at this time I also vaccuum the gravel and wash the sponge filter. I feed them sparingly 3 times daily, with frozen bloodworm or cooked, shelled peas and brocolli as treats a couple of times a week. With the flaked food, I first put in the goldfish food, then when the feeding frenzy is over, I add a small amount of tropical flakes.
I realise that I am breaking the rules terribly, but everyone in there seems to be thriving...can you foresee any potential problems or give advice for our unusual set up?
aLSO wOULD THE ADDITION OF A GHOST/ GLASS SHRIMP OR TWO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THE SET-UP ALSO ??
If I suceed for 2 years with this tank, I am promised a 4ft tank for the living room Yipeeee!
Thanks for your time,
Jan and Daughter Emily (aged 9)
Answer Hey Jan! Hey Emily! A four foot long tank at stake... NICE!
Well first off... Goldfish and the danios are totally ok. I actually have some zebra danios in my goldfish tank and I've asked around about it. It's actually great. They do very well together. I love the two together too. The problem coming up is the tetras. They're not going to well in with the goldies... much less the tiny tank.
Goldfish are messy fish. They are in the carp family and as a result they are the garbage cans of freshwater. Because they eat dead fish and such they have systems that filter out waste... a lot. They shoot up the ammonia levels through poo and their gills. Danios can handle it well. Neons though... they are a less hardy fish. It cuts months off their lives.
Glass shrimp are a BIG no no with goldfish. They have delicate skin and high ammonia burns them. It leaves it raw for infection and a dead fish. Not pretty.
I would either:
put the neons in a small tank with maybe some of the glass shrimp... or test the water between changes (every 2 or 3 weeks)to make sure it isn't over 1.0.
You will need a heater for the tank with the shoaling neon. A shoal is a group of 5 or more that "school". They aren't too expensive and shop around at pet shops to get the best deal. It's a one time buy so... not too bad. You should not pay more than 20 US dollars (22 Aussie). They are ripping you off. The cheapest I've seen at that size is 9 Aussie dollars but I had to hunt.
Good luck with getting the 4 foot tank too! Let me know what happens! :)
