02-05-2012, 07:45 PM
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#11 | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bigehugedome  Not an expert here but won't 8 gold fish be too much for a 55 gallon?
Welcome to TFK
Posted via Mobile Device | Yes, very quickly. And they will nibble many plants.
Max, welcome to Tropical Fish Keeping forum, and to the hobby. 
I concur with the previous members for the most part. My suggestion would be to think through the type of aquarium you want; for example, you mentioned plants, so that sort of points you in some directions as far as fish. And the beauty of plants is that you can avoid "cycling" issues if you have enough fast growing plants and very few fish. You might want to browse through our fish profiles for ideas, second tab from the left in the blue bar across the top of the page. A 55g could be a nice aquascape with several groups of smallish fish (some species are shoaling and need to be in groups, all this is mentioned in the profiles).
Lots of members here who will be able to assist you through the process, so don't hesitate to post questions.
Byron.
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02-05-2012, 11:36 PM
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#12 | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Tazman It is not the best way to cycle a tank with fish in. I would as the fish cost so little, take them all back and do a fishless cycle.
You NEED a test kit, there is absolutely no way to fully gauge what is going on in your tank without one. I would take any information your pet store gives you and discard it.
Profit first - fish health last - they dont offer good advice and are just after your money (with some exceptions).
I would personally get yourself a gravel vac and leave your room mates one alone. It will save you and him any heart ache in case one of you introduces something to each others tank. They are not expensive at all.
With regards to adding gravel to a tank...provided you rinse it well and make sure any free floating debris is out before adding to the main tank...if you are only a bit then use a plastic cup or something that has never been in contact with soap and add it slowly. It probably wont cause much of a storm in the tank.
Good luck and hope it works out for you. | Got the Master Test kit and got the following results:
Ammonia: .25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 to 5 ppm
pH: 7.6
How are those results? Was it okay that I got my water samples from the top area of the tank?
I got myself a gravel vac and I am about to clean it right now.
Also got some plants, a random assortment, only one I still have the name for is Amazon Sword.
Everything going okay for me so far?
And also people, I have read all of the articles and guides about a new fresh water aquarium, thank you for responding but they don't need to be posted anymore..
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02-06-2012, 11:36 AM
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#15 | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Adamson Thank you for your help everyone.
I know that Black Knife Ghost fish are supposed to have 70 gallons, but is there anyway I could make one the centerpiece of this 50 gallon tank? | No. This fish if healthy will attain 20 inches, and it has an inflexible body. Thus it needs not only length (minimum 5 feet, but 6 feet would be better) but width, at least 2 feet front to back. Otherwise it cannot turn around.
Habitat issues (very dim lighting, this is a nocturnal fish), lots of hiding places, plus it is predatory--all this means a very specific setup. No disrespect to you, but many experienced aquarists will echo my suggestion that this is not a good fish to begin the hobby with. 
A well-planted 55g will have more chance of success. The pH of 7.6 is basic, this also would limit the BGK which is very soft acidic water, but more to the point, can you ascertain the hardness? The water supply folks can tell you this, many have a website. We need GH (general hardness) and KH or Alkalinity, the bicarbonate hardness that will tell us how the pH may fluctuate in an aquarium.
Byron.
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02-06-2012, 11:59 AM
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#16 | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by byron no. This fish if healthy will attain 20 inches, and it has an inflexible body. Thus it needs not only length (minimum 5 feet, but 6 feet would be better) but width, at least 2 feet front to back. Otherwise it cannot turn around.
Habitat issues (very dim lighting, this is a nocturnal fish), lots of hiding places, plus it is predatory--all this means a very specific setup. No disrespect to you, but many experienced aquarists will echo my suggestion that this is not a good fish to begin the hobby with.
a well-planted 55g will have more chance of success. The ph of 7.6 is basic, this also would limit the bgk which is very soft acidic water, but more to the point, can you ascertain the hardness? The water supply folks can tell you this, many have a website. We need gh (general hardness) and kh or alkalinity, the bicarbonate hardness that will tell us how the ph may fluctuate in an aquarium.
Byron. | +10000 Quote:
Originally Posted by beetlebz In my very limited experience with them, im not so sure they would make a good centerpiece fish. They lurk, most times, and spend a fair amount of time hiding too. | you'll need a tank that's large like byron mentioned, also it'll probably need about 125-180 gals.
Last edited by CamryDS; 02-06-2012 at 12:16 PM..
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02-06-2012, 01:53 PM
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#17 | | |
Thank you, I will scrap the BGK idea.
Are these results okay?
Ammonia: .25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 to 5 ppm
pH: 7.6
I will try and find out the general hardness of the water, not sure who to call since the apartment company pays for water, but I will figure it out.
I added a few plants last night, can't remember the names except for an Amazon Sword, I also through my lucky bamboo in there that I have been growing outside of the tank for two years.
I want to get some moss or floating plants, also more plants for hiding places, could you folks give me some suggestions?
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02-06-2012, 05:59 PM
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#18 | | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Adamson Thank you, I will scrap the BGK idea.
Are these results okay?
Ammonia: .25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 to 5 ppm
pH: 7.6
I will try and find out the general hardness of the water, not sure who to call since the apartment company pays for water, but I will figure it out.
I added a few plants last night, can't remember the names except for an Amazon Sword, I also through my lucky bamboo in there that I have been growing outside of the tank for two years.
I want to get some moss or floating plants, also more plants for hiding places, could you folks give me some suggestions?
| take the bamboo out -- that will rot inside, people put it in the tank, but it's not really an aquarium plant.
look up some of the plants in the DB, also go to aquaticjungle.com the guy that owns the site does a lot of youtube vids about plants.
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