Angelika

So I bought a new tank used... they didnt know if it was 55 or 75 gallon... it did turn out to be a very nice 55 gallon.... and for $65 I was happy... it has come with lights, filters, fish (that I need to find out what they are, he couldnt remember)... lots of bits and bobs food, chemicals, water test kit... extra lights and 2 additional top fin filters...

Now the filter it came that he was using and I have plugged in as it has all the bacteria in the filter is a Rena Filstar XP3, he also gave me a ton of replacements foam pieces, which I did have to change the first liner as it was so full of debris the filter wouldnt work properly..

He emptied the tank to bring the fish.... 3 died on the way.....
he drained the tank for the trip didnt even leave a dribble of water in there, so I completely filled it up and took the readings... it was:
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 40

the nitrates were at 40 even after I filled the tank 100%... shall I do a water change tomorrow to reduce the nitrates...?

How about that Rena filter is it OK or do I have to buy another one...

Also I will post pics of the fish, if anyone can help me identify them Id be appreciative...

HatchetHaven

I'll happily ID them for you! Just need pics.
Sounds like you picked up an OK filter. You might want to overfilter it - but it's your choice!

Charmaine

I would suggest that you do daily water changes.Take readings every day.

Angelika

I dont like these big fish personally the picture at the top there are 2 of those... the smaller ones I dont mind so much but I want to have my angel tank so these 2 big brutes are going to have to go some place else.

HatchetHaven

You have:

A common pleco
Several cichlids (I can't tell what type - I'm no cichlid guru!)
A chinese algae eater

All worthy of taking back to the shop if you want to commence with your plan.

Angelika

That chinese algae eater is that the one that will suck the slime off my angel while it sleeps that I read some place? That pleco is huge and I am not liking him too much... hes harmless but so darn big... yeah I know the others are cichlids, but Im wondering if the others (the yellow and blue ones) would be OK with my angel ... I know the brutes are Jack Dempseys ... they fought over a large chuck of bloodworms....

Angelika

Charmaine

If I could, I would happily take those bruts off your hands, they are beutifull!!

Lucy

Hi Angelika,
Wow, nice deal!
Do water changes to reduce the nitrates. Have you tested your tap water for them?

Post a pic, i'd love to see it.

Shawnie

Im thinking in your first & 3rd pic, it looks like a juvie jack dempsey..and your second pic, looks closely like a convict its hard to tell exactly with the flash in the pic also...

Angelika

The aquascape is not too pretty per se.... I should of said that I did test my tap water the other week and it has zero nitrates...

The 1st and 3rd are def Jacks...

Now its the blue, yellow and last fish I dont know.... and then the blue /black fish with the black tail I am trying to figure out.

Charmaine if you lived here you could of happily come and got them

Lucy

Than a water change is all you need, your good to go!

HatchetHaven

I saw a similar cichlid (It's deffinatly a cichlid) in the african cichlid section of a book. Unfortunately, it was not named! However, I think you should take him back as well as he is an african cichlid for deffinate.

Angelika

Hatchet take him back where? I bought that tank used and the fish came with it, and I told him that I wouldnt probably keep the fish, but it was a complete package.

HatchetHaven

The LFS.

Shawnie

Do you have a good LFS around? they will gladly take them for free most of the time...just not always pay you for them

Shawnie

2 8 and 9 are convicts...although 8's tail is a bit ragged but he could be a male convict...because 9 is definately a female convict

Angelika

I thought they were convicts... and I have figured out that I have a couple of zebra cichlids too...

so... the next big question is...
what can I keep so I can put my Angel in there......?

I have then..

2 zebra cichlids ( by looking at pics I have detrmined this)
2 jack dempseys
3 or 4 convicts
2 # 7's so far unknowns - they snuggle in with the pleco
large pleco that is in his cave most of the time
chinese algae eater