bodieman

ok so im a fish newbie and got a 10 gal tank and a redtailed black shark for it. is that to small for him on his own? any filter suggestions... i just have the one that came with the tank and doubt its ability. i have a air pump with a air stone that my sister already had but think its to small for my tank what is the norm for a 10 gal tank as far as air goes? i also am worried bout the temp. my thermometer says its about 78 how warm is to warm and how do you cool if thats the case. and any feeding tips? im using omega one marine pellets and am not sure hes eating them. im mixing a little flake food as well to be safe. or any other tips or suggestions that you think might help. thanks..

fishbum

As long as that is all you keep,than it should be OK in a 10 gallon.I personally use Penguin 150 on all my 10 gallon tanks.I find the filters that come with tank kits are usually inadequate.If there is a Pet Smart near you,go to their web site,find the filter you want there,print it off then take it into the store,I can tell you the last filter I got cost $30 in the store and $18 dollars on line.With the print out with me,the store honored the internet price.Since you are new to the hobby,almost everything you need is cheaper on the net,than in the stores,and most will give you the net price as long as you have the printed page with the price on it with you.
As far as the temp goes,78 degrees is perfect.Do you have a heater?This will keep the water temp at a steady level.As long as your home does not get over 85 degrees,than there shouldn't be any worries about your fish getting too hot.
Feed it regular tropical fish flakes,and it will also eat frozen foods.Frozen blood worms and brine shrimp would add a nice variety to its diet.There are also sinking shrimp pellets he would probably enjoy also.

0morrokh

Welcome to Fishlore!!

Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? Please read this article... http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm It sounds like you didn't cycle your tank beforehand, so you will need to do daily 50% water changes until it's cycled, to keep the ammonia & nitrite low enough so it hopefully won't harm your fish. Do you have test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? Also what water conditioner are you using? It's best to use Prime during cycling because it converts ammonia & nitrite into forms that are less toxic to fish, while still allowing the bacteria to metabolize them. Do not add any ammonia or nitrite removers to your tank, as a forewarning, because they will prevent it from cycling.

Personally I wold give your shark a bigger tank, as they get to 6 in. Please research any fish you want before getting it next time. But good for you for coming here to ask about it.

Air stones are considered optional. Your filter should provide adequate aeration. What type of filter do you have? Do you know what its gph is?

You know that your "shark" is a freshwater fish, right? You shouldn't be feeding him pellets made for marine fish. I'll let someone else who has experience with sharks recommend a better diet for him, as well as an optimal temp. 78 is fine for most fish.

edit: looks like fishbum & I were typing posts at the same time, hopefully I didn't repeat everything he said

fishbum

By the way,
Welcome To Fishlore!

Kayin1470

welcome to fishlore, this site has helped me countless times, and is a great source, I wouldn't turn to anyone else, and whenever my fish are in danger or even if I just need product advice, the first thing I think is fishlore.

HatchetHaven

Yeah, congrats on finding this great community!

Well, we've already talked about the cycle, so I'll just talk fish. A Red tailed Black shark needs at least a 20gal tank when it's full grown. You have 2 options: A) take him back, do a fishless cycle and stock with fish reccomended on here once the cycle is over. B) keep him, get him a bigger tank, and do a longer and more difficult cycle with fish!

pepetj

bodieman: wellcome to fishlore!
I happen to go with Spencer fishbum on keeping your fish by itself in the 10gal. However double check the data.

About keeping your red tail shark, it will grow up to 6", and you can keep it in the 10gal (that info is in the fish profile of fishlore).

About airstone issues: I use an airpump (Elite 801) that can handle 3 airstones, with a checkvalve and a distributor-regulator 3 way valve (all cheap plastic items), I have an extra sponge filter (last output), and two airstones (mid size) all along the rear wall of the 10gal tank. It keeps my tank parameters in check, and it's a bit overstocked.

Keep the airstone, it's not enough by itself, but is a good looking complement (the smaller the bubbles, the better changes of oxygen getting dissolved in water) and fish usually have fun with them. I guess you could monitor your water parameters and observe your fish behavior for a few days, to see if you indeed have good filtration -if not it will show in nitrites readings.

10 gal will go with low rate flows (100gph), and even a cheap looking HOB will do the work, despite their cheap appereance; they are just prone to fail faster than good ones.

You could try some floating plants (e.g. bundles of Anacharis and Hornwort) that will provide cover and also help in keeping nitrates down.

Hope you cycled your tank fishless, if not, make your mind: either daily partial water changes, treating tap water with Prime or alike -we are talking weeks here-, or take the guy/gal back until you do a fishless cycle -can be done in less than 2 weeks.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

bodieman

thanks for the help. i didnt do any proper research before buying like an idoiot but after finding this site i now know about the nitrogen cycle and how important it is. and i did go out and get all the tests for the water and know about treating tap water. ive decided to do daily 50% water changes because i really like the shark i got. i also plan on getting a larger tank i have a cousin that is giving me a 55gal that he should be happy in. thanks for all the help i would be in some trouble without this site.

Red1313

Good luck with your shark and I agree. It's hard to return them. Let me know how things go with him. Fortunatly I'm finding that my Red is charmed and doing better then any fish I've had before and here's hoping yours does too. Come back if you've ever got a problem (even though I wasn't any help with this one lol).

Angelika

welcome to fishlore!! as a newbie myself... I can tell you for sure that you are in the right place to learn how to take care of your fish....I am forever thankful to the advice and input that I have received on fishlore.....

0morrokh

Sounds good. Good luck with cycling & keep us updated.

Lucy

Hi bodieman.....Welcome to Fish Lore!

Looks like everyone's got you covered. Great news on the 55g.

I don't know anything about RTS's but my personal opinion is anything that grows to be 6" deserves more swim room than a 10g provides.

Good luck.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

HatchetHaven

Cool! So that means we have a 55gsl to stock as well!

Devon

So glad you're putting him in a 55gal... I can't imagine a 6" fish being happy in 10 gallons of water. :/

And... welcome to FishLore!

bodieman

ok so i took the advice of some of you and ordered a new filter and air pump off the internet (ive been to the petsmart so many times this week they are lookin at me funny) does that mean when i put the new filter on the nitrogen cycle starts over? i would assume it would but im not sure. yea the 55gal wont be for a little while but i have time before he gets to big. i will deff do it right this time tho. fishless cycle and such..

fishbum

Just let the new filter run with the old one for a week or 2.This will cycle the new filter,and you will not have to start all over.

BTW,a 55 will be much better for your RTS.Minimum tank size usually means a big headache or a dead fish.Good Luck!

fishbum

When you get your 55,you can do the same thing as when you get your new filter for your 10 gallon.Take either the filter or filter media from your cycled tank,and use it when you set up the new tank.Add ammonia to feed the bacteria,and the tank should cycle in a couple days,rather than a couple of months.