[luke22]

hi guys been looking on this forum for a while but only just created account as im stuck lol hopefully some1 can help lol so here goes i recently bought a 4ft tank i its all up and running now i have a eheim 300 ecco pro filter system i do a 25percent water change with new carbon filter every week water temp is at a steady 25. i have 2 zebra angel fish and 2 gold sail fin mollies i really want to get discus as well? but app there massive and need room? but can anyone help with what else i can put in?? i have volcanic rock in there at the mo but will be putting some wood in soon as i want a pleco so any advice would be graet many tanks

 

[willow]

hello and warm welcome.
i've never kept Discus so i can't help.however i'm sure someone will
pop along and help with your question. :-D

 

[luke22]

me to lol just dont have a clue what to get next lol

 

[willow]

the only thing i do know is..beware of plecs…choose very carefully
as some grow Huge,and get aggressive with it,i have a bristle nosed plec
and he can be a little toad at times with the corydoras ,and he's only 4 inches.

 

[aussieJJDude]

I have heard that it isn't a good idea to mix angels with discus... But angels, *sigh* I want to have them in my tank soo bad!!!

 

[luke22]

im not getting discus now i dont think i got the knowledge for them yet. butt anyone got what to get next? i want bottom and middle swimming fish and i need some fish to clean up the food that sinks lol

 

[tropicalkass]

We have a common pleco and so far hes grown a lot since we've gotten him. We were told they get really big and that eventually they do more harm then they do good. Big fish make big mess. If you have the filter, etc. to handle it, then they're really nice fish that get along with everyone. Discus get huge, I think about 10" but it depends, they can be either smaller or larger. Bristle nose plecos stay small. If you want a sucker fish, that keeps your tank clean, I recommend corys or your smaller less aggressive catfish.

 

[luke22]

ok thanks i have a half decent filter so could maybe hold a big one but do like those corys if i could get a couple of them

 

[willow]

go with a nice group or corydoras :-D

 

[luke22]

thanks do they school together? im been a idiot aswell i never did the fishless cycle never heard of it till today lol. i just left it for 4 days empty?? and had my water tested its all ok dont know exact numbers of everything. this about 2 months ago will it all be ok?

 

[willow]

my best advise before you get corys,would be to get a test kit
of your own..a fish shop will often tell clients that their water is ok,
so they get a sale from you.
unless the tank was planted,with such a low bio load i doubt the filter is ready,
i used *cycle* from the fish store to help the filter…some people
don't like it,but i found it made a difference when i was setting my tank up
from new,and i added fish slowly,so the filter bacteria could cope,it's not
been set up long either.
i have a group of 6 bronze,i never see them..however other people
have them,and see them all the time…i have kept pepper and albino
in large groups,and they are fun to watch,i intend to get some again.

 

[luke22]

ok thanks so my fish will survive only have 4 atm and there all little and i have 6 live plants in cant tell you what ones lol they said they easy care but i havnt feed them at all lol. but only one looks like its dying off. its just ive been told to get rid of fish altogether and start again?? do i have to do that? i havnot had any ammonia spikes at all ie cloudy water. and do a 20 percent water change weekly and a new carbon filter weekly any good?? thanks

 

[tropicalkass]

When I first started my tank, we let it run for a couple of days then put a small gold fish in to start the cycle. It worked and ours is running fine. And the goldfish survived. Pretty hardy creatures if you ask me. There like 15 cents. Now I wouldn't keep the goldfish in there afterwards. They make more of a mess. We ended up giving ours to a friend who has a goldfish/koi pond
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[tropicalkass]

Those plants should def. Help with taking care of the fish waste till the good bacteria gets started. I just wouldn't overload your tank.
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[luke22]

Ok thank you I got all my fish are little. So ill be ok if I keep for what I got for a couple weeks? I'm looking at going just after Xmas to spend money lol. But I was going to buy a load more plants and properly get the tank planted or should I introduce them slowly? And a lump of wood maybe lol. My plants also have 12-15 hours of light aday is that ok to? Lol sorry for all the questions guys and thanks for the help
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[tropicalkass]

Hey it's ok I understand. I ask a lot of questions too. Make sure when you get plants to look at how much light etc you need. Some are floating, some require substrate. I would look into getting lights for your tank especially made to give plants the light they need. And yes you should be ok. Just make sure your testing the water often and doing the required water changes based upon your testings or needs of the tank. Also I use prime when doing water changes. It helps remove and/or detoxify ammonia, nurtures, etc in the water. I swear by it, one of the best, well worth things I have bought.
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[willow]

aww don't panic mate ! no need to get rid of your fish as you
are doing water changes which is good ok,don't panic.
plants are a great idea to add,and will help out :-D

 

[luke22]

ok thank you lol. so far for plants i want spikey moss and java fern so far there the ones i think im going to get to plant around some bog wood lol and i have a 37 watt interpet tube light lol not sure if thats right? and thats well weird i bought prime the other day have not usedit yet as have not ran out of my other bottle just got is as it was on sale lol but if its good ill start using that one in my water changes

 

[luke22]

aww don't panic mate ! no need to get rid of your fish as you
are doing water changes which is good ok,don't panic.
plants are a great idea to add,and will help out :-D

thanks on the other forum im on they said get rid of all of them and start a month fishless cycle lol but i thoughtit was a big late for that lol

 

[willow]

while i agree that is not in the fishes best interest to cycle while
they are in there,you can still help them with water changes.
do you have any friends with aquariums ? if you do ask them to donate
some filter media and you'll be quicker at the cycle.