|  |  | 
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Thinking Ahead
Happy St Patrick's day Eve.. 
I am still fishless, but want to be ready for "Bring home some fish day". What do you keep on hand, for those just in case problems? Such as medicines, special foods, or anything else that might come up? I want to be ready, in case I can't get to a store, or have to order it online.
I already have 2 spare heaters, I don't have a QT tank, but will look at a plastic tub tank, would just need a spare filter. Other then that I believe I'm good equipment wise. The guy who gave me this tank gave me bottles of pH uppers and downers, I guess he was very into keeping the PH at some particular number. I haven't used them, but figure I'll keep them around for...I dunno yet,lol. I have a couple bottles of algae stuff (label says to rid tank of), I'll hang on to those for now as well. I already threw out some chemicals I knew I wouldn't ever use. There was a bottle of stuff that claimed if I used it I would only have to do a water change twice a year...um ok....trash.
Any ideas, or suggestions would be very appreciated.
Lori  | 
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by articwolf  Happy St Patrick's day Eve..
I am still fishless, but want to be ready for "Bring home some fish day". What do you keep on hand, for those just in case problems? Such as medicines, special foods, or anything else that might come up? I want to be ready, in case I can't get to a store, or have to order it online.
I already have 2 spare heaters, I don't have a QT tank, but will look at a plastic tub tank, would just need a spare filter. Other then that I believe I'm good equipment wise. The guy who gave me this tank gave me bottles of PH uppers and downers, I guess he was very into keeping the PH at some particular number. I haven't used them, but figure I'll keep them around for...I dunno yet,lol. I have a couple bottles of algae stuff (label says to rid tank of), I'll hang on to those for now as well. I already threw out some chemicals I knew I wouldn't ever use. There was a bottle of stuff that claimed if I used it I would only have to do a water change twice a year...um ok....trash.
Any ideas, or suggestions would be very appreciated.
Lori | Hi Lori, not sure what all you have already, so sorry if I end up causing repetitiveness ...
I would make sure I had some Prime or Amquel+ for water conditioner.
If your PH is pretty normal I wouldnt do a thing to it...Id throw out a lot of that stuff, they could be outdated for all you know.
If you dont already, I would make sure to have a good water testing kit.
And I would have extra filter sponges as well. These you can stick into any of your tank filters for future needs such as wanting to cycle a QT or wanting to have one full of BB when you rinse out the other, less chance of disrupting your cycle this way.
Again, sorry if all these have already been addressed or you are well aware of.  | |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Hey capekate, ty for your ideas. I do have Prime and testing kit, I should have mentioned that . I guess I'm trying to plan for problems that may come up. Illnesses or parasites that might be common, that type of thing.
I am putting extra filter cartidges on my list...ty
Lori | |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| According to your profile you have been doing the fishless cycle since Jan and you know about cycle so if your tank is ready (0 AM, 0 Nitri 0-20 Nitra) go buy a few fish and add slowly keeping a close eye on water test results. The most useful tool I can think of is a Python water change hose and valve or Lee's water change hose and valve for about $29, it will save you the mess and agony of using a bucket to change water.
Last edited by CWO4GUNNER; March 16th, 2009 at 01:12 PM.
| |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by articwolf Hey capekate, ty for your ideas. I do have Prime and testing kit, I should have mentioned that . I guess I'm trying to plan for problems that may come up. Illnesses or parasites that might be common, that type of thing.
I am putting extra filter cartidges on my list...ty
Lori | On the meds list I would have on hand medications for fin rot, bacterial and parasitic external infections. Mardel is a good product for pretty much everything.
The Maracyn, Maracyn Plus for Bacterial disease, The Maracide for Parasitic infections, but there are other brands as well and Maroxy for fungal infections, again there are other name brands that do the work too.
Last edited by capekate; March 16th, 2009 at 01:22 PM.
| |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| on hand i always keep maracyn, maracyn 2, and the various jungle buddies tabs, i think there are two or three different kinds, one for fin rot, mouth rot, fungus, and the other for septicemia, ICH, and some other stuff, i could be mixing the different diseases it treats, but i always keep them around. and then you'll also want something for parasites, the maracide that kate mentioned is good. | |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Awesome...ty. Anyone else have any suggestions?
Lori | |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Master
| I bet you are so excited to stock finally!!! other than what some have mentioned, stress coat , fresh garlic juice, or garlic guard, vita chem (if you can find it otherwise you will have to order online), fish protector are all some of my faves...I wouldnt use any of the ph adjusters ....you can do that naturally .... driftwood to go up, crushed coral to go down...also wouldnt use any meds for algae...nature can take its course with that also (ottos, plecs , cories, etc)
for a qt tank , wal mart has some really big rubbermaid containers on sale now for $13 ....huge deal and you can keep it packed away until needed....always have extra filter media in your established tank , and the spare filter you will get, and poof, qt/hospital tank with an easy instant setup
goodouck and make sure you keep us posted on stocking! | |
| | |
March 16th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| I'm not there yet Shawnie...I think I'll throw a party when I am,lol. I really thank everyone for their suggestions, it really gives me a foundation for being stocked properly when fishie time comes my way .
Lori | |
| | |
March 17th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| I always try to keep spare parts for everything. Heaters, test kits, water conditioners, hoses, filters, thermometers, floss, carbon, white diamond (absorbs ammonia) IMMUNE PLUS, media bags additional bio media in the filter, sink fittings, buckets and towels plastic plants. I'm like you I try to be prepared. Best of luck!
PS: I would trash the pH uppers and downers. They are unreliable and will cause your pH to bounce all over the place and even possibly crash.
Last edited by aquarist48; March 17th, 2009 at 05:40 AM.
| |
| | |
March 17th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie ...I wouldnt use any of the ph adjusters ....you can do that naturally ....driftwood to go up, crushed coral to go down... | I think you have these backwards. Driftwood lowers pH and Coral and Limestone raises pH.
Also I would add aquarium salt the list of things to have on hand. It is a great Ich treatment, the only one I really use. Salt mixed with raised temperature works every time for me (which has luckily only been 3 times in 12 years)!
I also have a few towels I designate for aquarium use only. I don't wash them with fabric softener or use a dryer sheet in order to keep residue off them in case they come in contact with the water in the aquarium. | |
| | |
March 17th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Yup you are right there on the Ph changers but i would not advise anybody that is planning on putting Corys or Plecs of any variety in the tank to use salt, of any type, for any reason, they do not tolerate any salt at all. | |
| | |
March 18th, 2009
|
| | Moderator
| I have a cory and a pleco in my 155....I use aquarium salt and keep a reading of 1.000. They've done beautifully over the years. | |
| | |
March 18th, 2009
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie , fresh garlic juice, or garlic guard, |
I'm beginning to think that garlic is a miracle plant! Healthy for humans, and the fishies too?? | |
| | |
March 18th, 2009
|
| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by haedra I'm beginning to think that garlic is a miracle plant! Healthy for humans, and the fishies too?? | I was very surprised about that too! Ya never stop learning interesting stuff
Lori | |
| | | |
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads 
