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New Tank Decisions - cleaning & stocking decisions

1K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Byron 
#1 ·
Hey All,

I currently have a 30gal tank largely understocked. I have a goldfish, 2 cory cats, 3 platys and a 2 danios. Someone was about to flush the goldfish so I decided he was better off in that tank than a toilet. Otherwise I'd never keep a goldfish in a tropical tank.

I was just given a 50 gal tank. The issue I have is that I have no idea what was kept in this tank previously.

I am being given 2 turtles. Their current owner has a 10gal tank and they have WAY outgrown it. He was just going to release them into the wild so I offered to take them. One of my tanks is going to end up a fish tank. One is going to end up for turtles. I would like to use the 50gal for the fish and the 30 gal for the turtles.

My first question is can I clean the 50gal tank that it would for sure be safe to keep fish in it, and if so what is the best method to clean it. Secondly, if it cannot be cleaned well enough to be sure my fish are safe, can it at least be cleaned to be sure the turtles would be safe?

Thanks for any advice!
 
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#3 ·
Hey All,

I currently have a 30gal tank largely understocked. I have a goldfish, 2 cory cats, 3 platys and a 2 danios. Someone was about to flush the goldfish so I decided he was better off in that tank than a toilet. Otherwise I'd never keep a goldfish in a tropical tank.
I would say this tank is not largely understocked!
How big is the goldfish? Does it have one tail (comet) or two (fantail)? Once he grows he may want to eat some of your other fish so I'd try and find a new home for him.
What is your substrate? Sand or gravel?
Cories and danios like to live in larger groups.. 5 cories and 6 danios is a good size group.

I was just given a 50 gal tank. The issue I have is that I have no idea what was kept in this tank previously.
Should be fine if you clean it. More importantly test it to see that it holds water for a few days.

I am being given 2 turtles. Their current owner has a 10gal tank and they have WAY outgrown it. He was just going to release them into the wild so I offered to take them. One of my tanks is going to end up a fish tank. One is going to end up for turtles. I would like to use the 50gal for the fish and the 30 gal for the turtles.
Red eared sliders? These are very specialized animals, a pair will need 75-125 gallons full grown. They need UV lighting, basking lamps, a powerful filter, and specialized diet.

My first question is can I clean the 50gal tank that it would for sure be safe to keep fish in it, and if so what is the best method to clean it. Secondly, if it cannot be cleaned well enough to be sure my fish are safe, can it at least be cleaned to be sure the turtles would be safe?

Thanks for any advice!
Already answered this question.


Welcome to the forum. :-D
 
#4 ·
Hi Olympia,

Thanks so much for the advice! I'll be picking up more danios and platies once I get my tanks settled again. The goldfish is only 5-6 inches. He doesn't bother any of my other fish. In total I'd say I have 17-20 inches worth of fish in a 30 gal tank. I know the goldfish is a high polluter so I don't want to go much over that unless I find a new home for him. I also run a 70 gal filter with a water break to make sure the current doesn't get too bad to help with the goldfish.

Right now the turtles are in a 10gal tank which is way too small for them. I don't know if I will keep them forever, but I at least have bigger thanks until I can find a better home for them. As soon as I pick a tank and get it set up, I will be sure to get pics and post them to find out what special care they may need.

Do you prefer vinegar or baking soda to wash out a tank before getting started?

My current tank was a planted tank at one point before I moved and it fell apart. I'm trying to figure out what substrate to use for the planted tank. I'm considering a mixture of flourite and sand. Flourite for the plants and sand for ease of cleaning/I just like how it looks. Do you have any opinions on this setup? Once we pick which tank will be which (waiting for the girlfriend's input) I'll be back to ask about recommendations for lighting. I want to stay away from co2 for now, though I understand it can make a huge difference on a planted tank.

Thanks again for all the help!

-Kevin
 
#5 ·
I would not waste money on Flourite or similar "enriched" substrates. I recently tore down my 70g to get rid of Flourite after 2 years with no improved plant growth and the sharpness of the substrate prevents several fish from being included. I now have play sand in 6 of my 7 tanks, and the plants are thriving.

Vinegar is one cleaning agent, but in this case perhaps bleach would be better. Make sure you rinse the tank very thoroughly afterwards, several rinses of tap water (use a clean sponge too). Then let it air dry, i.e., sitting out until it is thoroughly dry.

How large are the turtles? The 30g might be better for them, as you suggest. But recognize that they m,ust have aheat source, usually a light, and space to be able to climb out of the water under this to allow the complete drying of the shell which will otherwise cause sickness.

The goldfish should be on its own, not with tropicals. You simply cannot provide a suitable environment for both together. The goldfish alone in the 50g may work for the moment, hard to say as we still don't know the type.

Byron.
 
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