Tasha

So, Aside from the fact that Henrik (1 of my 2 ID sharks), ate both my babies, everyone seems to be getting along. General opinions were that my Betta, Molly, and 2 sharks couldn't possible survive together in a 10gallon tank. Well, I'm glad to say that after 1 month, all is good. The water is slightly cloudy, but I'm picking up one of those vacuum suckers(the kind that cleans the poop and food from the rocks). I'm also going to get a water test kit.

My problem now, is that I still don't understand the "replace 20% of your water each week".
I had some goldfish when I was little, and I don't remember ever replacing water. With this tank tho, because it's heated, I have to add a little water every 2 weeks, because it's evaporating.* * * * *

I also adjusted my water temp up to 78 degrees, so that the Betta is happier(i'm not sure why he needed it warmer, since you always see Betta's in tiny bowls that aren't even heated!)I've also cut the feedings down from 4 times to twice a day.*

I appreciate any help that I can get to enure my little fishies live a long and happy life.

dazzler

well just like you and me, fishies need to go to the toilet. but they go in the water they live in. they excrete ammonia (fish waste) and this is very toxic to them and will kill them in due course if the levels get to high. removin 20%water reduces the amount of ammonia and nitrites in the water thus stopping you from burning the fish as this is what the ammonia does to the fish i too ,like you have goldfish and i also never use to change the water just top it up when it got low.( dont hate me now!!) but i also use to put them in a bucket while cleaning their tank with dishwashing liquid and all the stones and everything in the tank once every 6 weeks or so! also cleaning the filter cartridge with tap water until it ran clean. which by the way is another no-no as this removes the bacteria the fish need to stay happy it also breaks down the ammonia to nitrates(read the nitrogen cycles in the begginers articles section on the forum) after finding fishlore.com i have sinced changed my ways. i no longer mistreat my fish this way and seriously cant believe they are still alive. they now get a water change weekly sometimes bi-weekly and i have seen a ABSOLUTELY HUGE improvement in their behaivour. they just rock now!!! this all becaused their tank is now cycled. these are the basics of course. its your tank cycled...do you have a test kit to test for ammonia nitrite nitrAte and pH.

if you read all the articles in* fishlore for beginners you will learn stuff that you may have not known. in due course as your sharks get bigger they will take over the tank people here will inform you of the pros and cons of the fish you have in your tank anyhoo by reading those articles you will become wise to the ways of the fish.

welcome to fishlore .its great to have you with us. we have many passionate people who love and know alot about what we do here.

good luck i hope this helps somewhat. people here are better in formed than myself. and will no doubt be able to give you more
regards* *dazzler

chickadee

the sharks and betta are all very territorial and while they may be getting along right now, there will come a day when they consider the tank too small for them and the war will begin. Aggressive fish (those three) are more aggressive as they become more crowded and they will keep eliminating other fish until they no longer feel threatened or crowded.

Welcome to Fishlore.com and we do hope you enjoy it here as much as I have. We are represented in several countries by all age groups and many interests. All levels of expertise of fishkeeping are represented here on this forum and you are welcome to browse, question and comment to your heart's desire.

Rose

0morrokh

About the water temp for Bettas...just because some people keep them in unheated cups, doesn't mean it's ok for them. Bettas come from tropical waters and for their health need an absolute minimum of 78 degrees. Being fairly hardy fish, they may survive for a while in an unheated container (and people often take advantage of their air breathing capacity by putting them in a tiny cup where other fish would have suffocated), but their lifespan will be shortened, they will be pretty much inactive and they will be extremely susceptible to coldwater diseases such as ich and finrot. My guess is that a lot of people who don't know not to keep Bettas in bowls also don't know how to identify a sick ans unhappy Betta, so they just figure he's ok. Not true.

BettaBuddy ~ Miley

hey Tasha - like everyone else said is good. i am no expert but you may want to read this - http://www.fishlore.com/Forum/freshw...survive.0.html and this - http://www.fishlore.com/profile-iridescentshark.htm - your tank is too small for your sharks. they will grow to around 4 feet! Miley

cherryrose

8)Hey BettaBuddy Miley, It sounds like you are doing your homework, and then some. 8)

Yes sirree, all that has been said is true. Welcome to fishlore!

CherryRose