3 week old 29G aquarium- cycling /overstocking query

minnamom

santaclaws, I did think of getting substrat from an Lps store but wasn't sure of their water quality. byron,I would like to grow some live plants in there, but we didn't buy a tank with the necessary lighting. I was wondering if it would be possible to grow a plant that doesn't require the lighting, but will grow with some natural light. The tank is on the side of 2 windows (no direct sunlight).

Alekinha

@minnamom - i know exactly how you feel! Father Dearest and Mother Dearest insisted in getting the fish after 3 days of cycling!! And they didnt just get 3 or 6 fish, they bought 30!!! My parameters did spike (obviously) but now the tank is 5 weeks old, the parameters are holding steady at 0 except nitrate which is at 10ppm but hopefully if yours rise it will only be a slight bit.

So now I have one golden rule, no more than 3 new fish allowed (which they broke this weekend <sigh>), and thanks to the experienced people on this site i now quarantine my fish for a week and as soon as i find some parasite treatment i will treat them for that before adding them in.

n2fish

This brings up a good question. When you quarentine new arrivals, is it wise to treat for parasites even though the fish may not show any signs of parasites??

I have a 14 gallon nano I was going to break down after my new 36 cycled, but now I'm considering keeping it set up for a QT tank.

Alekinha

I'd say yes, it is, but that's only because I've had a lot of unexplained deaths, DRKST has previously said that's what he does when he gets new fish. I'm currently looking for a shop that stocks interpet parasite medication.
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minnamom

During the weekend, we visited a friend who has a 10G aquarium with 6 goldfishes in it !! She has had them for about 2 years now and they are all around 5" long.. Since I'm new to this, I asked her about water changes and she said that she does it only once every 6 months !! 6 big goldfishes,10G tank and PWC in 6 months doesn't make sense but they all seem to be doing fine. So does that mean that once the tank is cycled, I need to do PWC only once a year ?

minnamom

BarbH

Those fish in your friends tank may seem like they are doing "fine", but I am willing to bet that they have a bunch of health issues going on. Most which you would probably not be able to see. The nitrates in that tank have got to be sky high. Along with that if the fish are not already stunted, they will become so.

Water changes are one of the most important things that we can do for the health and well being of our fish that we keep. Weekly water changes of 30 to 50% is recommended.

Alekinha

Once every 6 months!? That's ridiculous! The "instruction" booklet that came with my tank said to do 50% water changes every month, for the size of my tank I find all the fish are happier with a weekly PWC of 30%. Is your friend testing her water parameters? I'm curious to know what her ammonia and Nitrite levels are.
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Byron

It is possible to use natural light for a planted aquarium but I do not recommend it and I have done it. The plants will grow toward the light, and this can cause issues. Also, algae is far less controllable and this can be a major issue. Controlling the daylight in intensity is very difficult.

The existing light fixture on the tank will probably be adequate with the right tube/bulbs. What type do you have, fluorescent strip with a tube light, or incandescent (screw-in bulbs)? If the fluorescent strip, what is the length of the tube itself? And what size is the tank?

Byron.

Byron

Never, repeat never, treat fish with any medication/treatment/preparation if they do not absolutely need it.

All fish are sensitive to chemicals in varying degrees, and the stress it causes might well initiate a health problem that would otherwise not occur. The fish is already under severe stress from the store, netting, coming home in a bag, now another new environment...don't add to it. Plus, such treatments may not actually prevent a health issue, depending what it is.

A QT for new fish should just be a tank in which the fish can be observed for a couple weeks to detect if there is a problem, like going to a doctor for a check-up. Unless something is found, there is no need for treatment.

Byron.

Byron

On the Goldfish issue, chances are very high those fish will not live a normal lifespan. Goldfish can live decades. And as Barb mentioned, their actual state of physical health is probably a mess. It's like keeping a dog in a 3 by 3 foot cage and never cleaning it. The dog will live years...but in what state? With any animal brought into one's home, there comes the responsibility to properly provide and care for it; those who don't or won't, should not have the animal(s).

Byron.