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August 1st, 2007
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| | Fish Keeper
| Back in the hobby
Hello, everyone! Happy to find this site!
I just got back into the freshwater fish hobby after not having a tank in almost 33 years. I've started with a 10 gallon kit I got at Petsmart (tank, hood, heater, and a power filter). It's been up and running for 5 weeks now, and all water parameters are looking good ( pH around 7.0, 0 ammonia and nitrites, between 10-20ppm nitrates). I started it off with 3 Zebra Danios, and it's now home to 5 Zebras and 2 Spotted Corys. All seem to be doing well, the water is pretty clear, but I've got one small issue -- there seems to be a kind-of oil slick on the surface of the water. Running the air stones seems to break it up after a while (though the bubbles clump in little reefs at first). I do a 20 - 25% water change at least once a week, so it's not a problem with stale water.
From what I've read, it sounds like it's just an excess of biological crap from the fish, maybe caused by too much feeding (I'm still getting the hang of how much to give them). Throwing a teaspoon of AmQual + in also seems to clear it up, but it comes back two or so days later. It doesn't seem to bother the fish, and there's no obvious smell to the water, so I'm wondering if this is something to be concerned about or if it'll clear up as I get better at giving the fish the right amount of food?
Anyway, glad to be here -- I look forward to learning a lot! The hobby sure has changed since my last tank (a 20 gallon). Now I just have to wait for the wife to get used to having a tank in the house before I start plotting out getting a bigger one. :  | 
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August 1st, 2007
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| | Moderator
| Re: Back in the hobby
Welcome to FishLore!
Sometimes the fish food will cause the oil slick. the food I use has a lot of natural fish in it and can cause the very same thing if I'm over generous with the food. The little fishies tummys are the same size as their eye so that might help with how much to feed them.
Your off to a good start doing at least 25% water changes each week. Are you vacuuming the gravel also? Let us know if we can help with anything.
i'm going to move your post into the welcome forum so it will get more attention
Carol | |
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August 1st, 2007
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| | Moderator
| Re: Back in the hobby
The trick that I've read with most aquarium fish is to put one piece of food in the tank for each fish. Monkey with the feeding procedure (not so much the amount, but the location) until you know that each fish usually gets a piece every time. If a fish misses a feeding or two, it'll be okay, just try and watch for any chronic laggers. | 
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August 1st, 2007
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| | Fish Keeper
| Re: Back in the hobby
Yes, I use a gravel vacuum to do the water changes, so I take care of two things at once.
Now that I think about it, the 'oil slick' seems to happen a day or so after I give them some freeze-dried brine shrimp. So maybe I'm putting to much of the shrimp in the tank, and that may be causing the slick. I normally give them flake food or micro-pellets, with an occasional sinking wafer for the corys (which the zebras like to pick at too). I'll have to cut back on the brine shrimp next time and see if it helps. | |
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August 1st, 2007
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| | ID master
| Re: Back in the hobby
Welcome to Fishlore. Hope you find everything you need regarding your fish. Quote: |
Originally Posted by Butterfly The little fishies tummys are the same size as their eye so that might help with how much to feed them. | I don't know about that, my angels and gouramis are little pigs, they eat and eat and they eat some food that is bigger than their tummy.
Tom | |
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August 2nd, 2007
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| | Master Of Fish Poo!
| Re: Back in the hobby
welcome to fishlore! Carol's got it on the "oil slick". | |
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August 2nd, 2007
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| | Fish Keeper
| Re: Back in the hobby
welcome u'll find people of all age (like my i'm only 12 )and skill here
 Peace Out Callum! | |
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August 2nd, 2007
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| | Fish Mentor
| Re: Back in the hobby
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August 2nd, 2007
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| | Fish Helper
| Re: Back in the hobby
hello,
I am also new here and have gotten back into this hobby. I use to have a few red tail sharks but they died. And i never got another fish.Then I went to my Aunt, CapeKate, she had fish and then she gave me a fish tank and all the stuff. So when i go home from my vacation i will be getting a female bettafish.i am very happy right now.  so my tank will be up and running in a few days. | |
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August 2nd, 2007
|
| | Fish Keeper
| Re: Back in the hobby
Quote: |
Originally Posted by jsalemi Hello, everyone! Happy to find this site!
I just got back into the freshwater fish hobby after not having a tank in almost 33 years. I've started with a 10 gallon kit I got at Petsmart (tank, hood, heater, and a power filter). It's been up and running for 5 weeks now, and all water parameters are looking good (pH around 7.0, 0 ammonia and nitrites, between 10-20ppm nitrates). I started it off with 3 Zebra Danios, and it's now home to 5 Zebras and 2 Spotted Corys. All seem to be doing well, the water is pretty clear, but I've got one small issue -- there seems to be a kind-of oil slick on the surface of the water. Running the air stones seems to break it up after a while (though the bubbles clump in little reefs at first). I do a 20 - 25% water change at least once a week, so it's not a problem with stale water.
From what I've read, it sounds like it's just an excess of biological crap from the fish, maybe caused by too much feeding (I'm still getting the hang of how much to give them). Throwing a teaspoon of AmQual + in also seems to clear it up, but it comes back two or so days later. It doesn't seem to bother the fish, and there's no obvious smell to the water, so I'm wondering if this is something to be concerned about or if it'll clear up as I get better at giving the fish the right amount of food?
Anyway, glad to be here -- I look forward to learning a lot! The hobby sure has changed since my last tank (a 20 gallon). Now I just have to wait for the wife to get used to having a tank in the house before I start plotting out getting a bigger one. : |
I had the same problem with my 10 gallon tank. I found that if you put a little less water in it, then the "splash" from the power filter breaks it up. I lowered my water in that tank about and inch (i had it up to the black frame before). Sometimes that extra surface agitation does wonders. | |
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August 2nd, 2007
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| | Moderator
| Re: Back in the hobby
Welcome GypsyGirl! Your aunt is a great one to listen to. I'm sure she'll help you lots
Carol | |
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August 3rd, 2007
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| | Fish Master
| Re: Back in the hobby
I love family ties on fishlore. I hope the site stays online forever and our grandkids use it too!  | |
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August 3rd, 2007
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| | Fish Helper
| Re: Back in the hobby
[quote author=Butterfly link=topic=12064.msg110686#msg110686 date=1186092623]
Welcome GypsyGirl! Your aunt is a great one to listen to. I'm sure she'll help you lots
Carol
[/quote]
Thank you for the the welcome. I think this place is a great place to get help and talk. I cant wate to get my new betta. Maybe if you want you can go to the polls and go to wat should i name a girl betta and think of a name, might use it.then put down maybe a color I might pick out.That would be great help if you that.I sure you could think of something.
GypsyGirl | |
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August 4th, 2007
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| | Fish Keeper
| Re: Back in the hobby
Welcome To Fishlore!!!!! Were Glad To Have You Here!! Miley | |
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