Calling all home aquarium experts
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 6
From: Puyallup, WA
Well, that's interesting! Is your room temp 83* then?? Your tank will only get as cold as the room temp, so being that you are in Fl, it might be that hot!!
The tank light will keep the temp up on the water as well, so maybe turn it off until it settles on the room temp?
Mitch
The tank light will keep the temp up on the water as well, so maybe turn it off until it settles on the room temp?
Mitch
well I knew that humans think something cold is actually pretty warm to fish, even then i filled it with warmer-than-normal water. so i think it will cool down eventually.
my room is at 75*F, tank is down to 82*
my room is at 75*F, tank is down to 82*
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 6
From: Puyallup, WA
my room is at 75*F, tank is down to 82*
Mitch
right. i was initially burning it to promote algae growth so the tank will cycle better, but i have since shut it off. checking now, shes down to 78*. i think ill go buy some $0.99 fish tomorrow and give them a shot
I've got four fake plants in there now, and I would love to get a medium-sized rock for my future algae-eater to hide in (i read they hide from light).
I've got four fake plants in there now, and I would love to get a medium-sized rock for my future algae-eater to hide in (i read they hide from light).
Last edited by Raptor05121; Jan 17, 2010 at 04:45 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,278
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From: Seabrook,NH
Plecos and cats need supplemental food. They are bottom feeders and will not survive on algae alone. Never change all of your water. I never change more than 25%. Check the temp the fish prefer. Some like colder than others and may get ill if too warm.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,333
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From: Bethlehem, PA
About 2 or 3 years ago my girlfriend wanted turtles. "Look, they're not expensive!" Uh huh. Easily over $1000 in and guess what I have and don't have now. Yep, two turtles and no girlfriend. Go figure. Good deal though really. Turtles cost less in the long run.
Last edited by esf; Jan 17, 2010 at 05:24 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,506
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From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
I've had tanks for about 35 years, though I did take a few years off.
10 - 20 gallon tanks can be a lot of fun on a tight budget. If none of the fish are too small, I've even had good luck putting a Beta in a community tank. Some get along fine. The swim slow, so the other fish get away. FWIW, some Beta's just have a nasty disposition, and if you have a long finned mild fish like a make guppy, the Beta will think its another Beta and tear it up.
Curently I have a 55 gallon set up, with 4 large Silver dollars, some 'Micky Mouse' platys, three Australian Rainbows, a small pleco, two small cats, a 6" long pea**** eel. The silver dollars are about 5.5 years old and have been a real joy to own.
A couple of silver dollars would make a nice addition to a community 20 gallon tank.
A school of 10 or so Neons look good in a small tank. In my experience, they do better after the tank has matured for a month or more. In any event, if you buy 10 Neons, invaribably one or more will die within a few weeks, while others will live for 3+ years. I really like Cardinal Tetras better, but they seem to be less hardy, or they really don't like my local water.
Livebearers like swordtails, mollys and platys are great starter fish. Try to have 2 females for every male.
Your light will heat up the water less if you get a flourescent fixture. Much beter all the way around than incandescent bulbs, but more expensive.
10 - 20 gallon tanks can be a lot of fun on a tight budget. If none of the fish are too small, I've even had good luck putting a Beta in a community tank. Some get along fine. The swim slow, so the other fish get away. FWIW, some Beta's just have a nasty disposition, and if you have a long finned mild fish like a make guppy, the Beta will think its another Beta and tear it up.
Curently I have a 55 gallon set up, with 4 large Silver dollars, some 'Micky Mouse' platys, three Australian Rainbows, a small pleco, two small cats, a 6" long pea**** eel. The silver dollars are about 5.5 years old and have been a real joy to own.
A couple of silver dollars would make a nice addition to a community 20 gallon tank.
A school of 10 or so Neons look good in a small tank. In my experience, they do better after the tank has matured for a month or more. In any event, if you buy 10 Neons, invaribably one or more will die within a few weeks, while others will live for 3+ years. I really like Cardinal Tetras better, but they seem to be less hardy, or they really don't like my local water.
Livebearers like swordtails, mollys and platys are great starter fish. Try to have 2 females for every male.
Your light will heat up the water less if you get a flourescent fixture. Much beter all the way around than incandescent bulbs, but more expensive.
I've had tanks for about 35 years, though I did take a few years off.
10 - 20 gallon tanks can be a lot of fun on a tight budget. If none of the fish are too small, I've even had good luck putting a Beta in a community tank. Some get along fine. The swim slow, so the other fish get away. FWIW, some Beta's just have a nasty disposition, and if you have a long finned mild fish like a make guppy, the Beta will think its another Beta and tear it up.
Curently I have a 55 gallon set up, with 4 large Silver dollars, some 'Micky Mouse' platys, three Australian Rainbows, a small pleco, two small cats, a 6" long pea**** eel. The silver dollars are about 5.5 years old and have been a real joy to own.
A couple of silver dollars would make a nice addition to a community 20 gallon tank.
A school of 10 or so Neons look good in a small tank. In my experience, they do better after the tank has matured for a month or more. In any event, if you buy 10 Neons, invaribably one or more will die within a few weeks, while others will live for 3+ years. I really like Cardinal Tetras better, but they seem to be less hardy, or they really don't like my local water.
Livebearers like swordtails, mollys and platys are great starter fish. Try to have 2 females for every male.
Your light will heat up the water less if you get a flourescent fixture. Much beter all the way around than incandescent bulbs, but more expensive.
10 - 20 gallon tanks can be a lot of fun on a tight budget. If none of the fish are too small, I've even had good luck putting a Beta in a community tank. Some get along fine. The swim slow, so the other fish get away. FWIW, some Beta's just have a nasty disposition, and if you have a long finned mild fish like a make guppy, the Beta will think its another Beta and tear it up.
Curently I have a 55 gallon set up, with 4 large Silver dollars, some 'Micky Mouse' platys, three Australian Rainbows, a small pleco, two small cats, a 6" long pea**** eel. The silver dollars are about 5.5 years old and have been a real joy to own.
A couple of silver dollars would make a nice addition to a community 20 gallon tank.
A school of 10 or so Neons look good in a small tank. In my experience, they do better after the tank has matured for a month or more. In any event, if you buy 10 Neons, invaribably one or more will die within a few weeks, while others will live for 3+ years. I really like Cardinal Tetras better, but they seem to be less hardy, or they really don't like my local water.
Livebearers like swordtails, mollys and platys are great starter fish. Try to have 2 females for every male.
Your light will heat up the water less if you get a flourescent fixture. Much beter all the way around than incandescent bulbs, but more expensive.
