[blueblue48]

if i couldve done that i wouldve done it DIY by now, its just i have no access to a sink ( i live in the basement) and i have no access to a hose. so i just do it by hand and ill just have to afford the chiropractor.

[crazy4fish]

you know they do have specially made pumps that you can stick in the tank and it will suck the water out. but if you dont have a sink you would have to put the water in like a huge bucket on wheels or something. but about the tiger barbs, im pretty sure that if you get at least 8 or so they will be fine. but still its a risk. if you want to be really safe, go with cherry barbs, they may be smaller but they have amazing color. i just got a pair a few weeks ago and i already want more. but like the others said odessa barbs would work too. good luck hope you get the right fish! :D

[blueblue48]

ok im filling the tank today and im going to hope on a short cycle since im using the same gravel and filter and piece of fake rock/driftwood. wish me luck

crazy4fish: that would be a great idea, but how will wheels go up stairs?

[tophat665]

Originally Posted by blueblue48

ok im filling the tank today and im going to hope on a short cycle since im using the same gravel and filter and piece of fake rock/driftwood. wish me luck

crazy4fish: that would be a great idea, but how will wheels go up stairs?

If you have no access to a sink, from whence the water? Upstairs? How far vertically? You might be able to get a sump pump with enough head to get all but the last couple of gallons of wastewater up the stairs and out the door. They're generally cheaper than aquarium pumps with half the power.

[blueblue48]

These are all good ideas but i havent got the money or know how really. im not old enough for a job so i just survive lol :D . it doesnt matter i feel a little bit more pride when im done filling a tank because i worked so hard, and plus i dont sleep well so its good to get tired out i guess .

The tank is filled and cycling, everything is running just fine. I got my first live plants for it today, 2 pretty good sized amazon sword plants for each corner and 2 jungle vals along with a banan plant. i also moved my aponogeton to there and it grew almost half an inch overnight . i think it might have been crinkled up a bit in the small tank and now that it has the space to stretch its done what it has too, the aponogeton also has the little V shaped thing shooting out of the water that drops bulbs and makes more so im pretty happy. BTW i got a good deal, the amazon swords came with sprouting attached plantlets (on both of them :D ) and im going to put togethor a 20 gallon to put them in and grow them out. Maybe ill get some pics in the freshwater picture section soon.

[rocksout4cheese]

just wanted to come back and add, i'm not sure if albino tiger barbs' behavior might be different than the regular ones, since i've never had regular tiger barbs. but after i had the guys for two weeks i did a water change and changed the tank all around. this seemed to make a huge difference in there behavior. since the decor has been moved all around they stick together very well and when they are not swimming around together they all hang out around this one plant. so i guess if you have any problems with aggression it might be cured for a while with a little redecorating...

[crazy4fish]

yeah changing the decor will usually help with most fish. im glad it all worked out