New _ Wanted To Say Hi

Hey everyone,

Hoping I can still do this?

Though I am not new having an aquariums, because I had some larger (45 gal and a 55) salts in the past, I consider myself still a rookie. I know most of the raw basics, cycling the tank, yet there is so much I don't know and I am humble enough to know making two tanks work in the past doesn't mean I know what I am doing. I survived mostly on pet store advice and reading the back of boxes of fish chemicals. I bought quality filters stuck to the water changing schedule and didn't lose that many fish.

Back in 2013 I had a bad fall that messed up my legs and right arm. Unfortunetly it will never heal so I have a walker and a bum dominate hand with limited capacity. I gave the tanks away because water changes and care was beyond my physical abilities and I didn't want them to suffer.

Now it's four years later and I miss my little friends. I have so much spare time, can't do much at all and was thinking a really small tank might be manageable. My wife brought me to the pet store and I bought a 5 gallon glowfish tank setup. It had kind of a crappy hang on the back filter that worried me.

I bought one $6 glow fish to turn the tank and keep me amused.

It was a day before I was underwhelmed. It was hard to see the fish because of tank height. I couldn't see through the top because of the lid so I had to crough over to peek in. Though I did like the glow effect.

I returned to the pet store and eyed a 25 gallon tall setup, I was very tempted, but I wasn't sure If I could manage that big of a tank. I thought the ten too small as well and the pet store guy in a large chain store told me there was no tanks between 10 and 20 gallons. So I would have to start with a 20 long. I thought I was stuck. I really didn't want a twenty long.

Having the same height issue I thought of maybe a taller stand. They had some ugly ones and they were expensive.

Then I came accross a very odd tank a few asles over. It was 13 gallons but narrow but it had my needed height. 24 inches long but only 8 or so inches deep, yet it was twice the height of my little 5 gallon. I knew the surface area on top was limiting so I would need a strong filter or limit my fish, So I bought a 30 gallon fluval filter would be a nice match and I would toss the no-name one that was in the kit. I bought a 24 inch led bubble wand and a descent airpuump thinking a wider water flow would help the odd shape than for bubbles in the water. Though it is fun to look at. I needed the tank to move about without dead spots.

I went back to the pet store guy and he showed him my find in our cart. He shook his head saying anything but a long short tank is useless. All my fish will die of suffication.
I mentioned I only wanted a small comunity tank, tiny fish, guppies and neons or maybe a fist ful of glowfish in there. He said with my condition I might struggle and he recomended a betta fish in a small bowl. bah

Despite his advice I bought the 13 gallon wide screen. I knew I was taking a chance and thought he most likely knew a lot more than me, but I also knew I would enjoy the tall tank immensly. I wanted to buy 3 more glow fish and he fought me at first. The tank needs to sit a month before you add a fish. That was just too long and I was frustrated and made him give me three glowfish because you got the third free. I know kind of foolish with a brand new tank.

I did buy API quick start and stress coat. I read you can turn and add fish right away. Sounds like a gimmick but it did get good reviews and wanted something to look at, been feeling blue latey and didn't want to stare at water with one fish. I dare not get more than four though until I knew the tank could handle the load.

I bought flake and then frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. I like to mix up their meals though I am careful not to overfeed. I also bought a bunch of test strips, I can't manage the tube kits with a bad paw.

I went home, put the fish bages in my five gallon (temp home until I could set up the 13. I wanted the tank to rest a bit before adding the four fish.

I was disapointed the fish tank only had white light leds and crazy bright. I had liked the blue of the 5 had and the glow effect. So to amazon I went and bout a nicecrew 24 inch led tank light setp with rgb color. Looked fun. I bought some silicone glow plants too that looked like coral.

After a few days I had it all together. ( I have a well, so I don't get city water but it is filted so no harsh metals. ) It looks amazing. I have it on a half way between the kitchen and the livingroom so you get to see the tank from both sides. You can see all the fish easly and the colors really pop with the new multicolor light, glow fish and glow silicone plants. It has a blinking setting that allows the colors to change but it was too much. I figured if it was giving me a headache it must be stressing the fish too. Yet I do enjoy having a red tank one day and a green the next. I have multiple colors to choose from.

I went through all this because You know my choices and the whys so you might point out flaws that might get me in trouble,

Right now the fish swim all over the tank and seem happy. The heater is keeping me in the green for water temp. Everything seems okay and my test strips are not showing much.


Am I a hobbist, not sure. One thirteen gallon tank is most likely childs play to most of you. If you think I am on the wrong forum I will not be offended, I was nervous that I might seem silly with my little tank.

If you are a patient reader I am in your debt. Curious your thoughts.

TanksQ

 

I think you fit in here, I have 8 tanks but that`s because I have a very strong addiction that can`t be cured lol! But everyone on the forum is really excepting and also only have 1 or 2 tanks! Welcome to the forum by the way! c:

 

Hello and welcome!
I hope you find your new tank easy to manage and enjoyable. Be sure to monitor your water parameters closely since it sounds like you are in a fish-in cycle which take more effort than fishless cycles to complete safely.
I don't think you're silly for having a smaller tank, many people on this forum have exclusively small tanks, I personally have 7 Betta tanks, 1 ten gallon, and I'm currently cycling a 29 gallon. I'd like to see some pictures of your tank, but don't feel obligated to post any lol.

 

Welcome to fishlore! This is a great place to hang out with fish people!

I hope you have success with your tank! Many people here have small tanks, including myself. I have for 5 gallon betta tanks scattered around!

If I can give you any advice, it would be to use Seachem Prime as a water conditioner. It will be especially helpful since you are cycling your tank with fish. If you would like info on how to use it to keep your fish safe please ask! I don't want to just start throwing directions at you.

What kind of glowfish did you get? They have 3 varieties so I'm curious. I've had one of each, and with them being schooling fish that didn't last long . That was before I knew anything about fish keeping.

Everyone here is great and can help you with any questions you might have. There are lots of very knowledgeable people too.

Would love to see a photo of your tank!

And again, welcome!!!

Edit: and by the way the 13 gallon is not a terrible choice! Since it's shallow and long, it gives your fish room to swim side to side and plenty of surface area means they won't suffocate!

 

Welcome! I wanted to ask if you were using Seachem Prime? It will protect the fish during cycling as it makes the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate harmless for 24 to 48 hours. It is also a dechlorinator. As I typed I see that AngelTheGypsy said the same thing, and is very helpful. She just helped me this past week divert a complete disaster.

Everyone is very helpful.

 

Don't throw that small filter away! You could use it as a back-up or in a hospital tank if necessary. I'm glad you got what you wanted. I'm sure you will be able to maintain it. Our fish bring us many things...a sense of purpose, a sense of calm, companionship, and plenty of smiles. I think you have some very lucky fish!

 

Hey everyone,

Hoping I can still do this?

Though I am not new having an aquariums, because I had some larger (45 gal and a 55) salts in the past, I consider myself still a rookie. I know most of the raw basics, cycling the tank, yet there is so much I don't know and I am humble enough to know making two tanks work in the past doesn't mean I know what I am doing. I survived mostly on pet store advice and reading the back of boxes of fish chemicals. I bought quality filters stuck to the water changing schedule and didn't lose that many fish.

Back in 2013 I had a bad fall that messed up my legs and right arm. Unfortunetly it will never heal so I have a walker and a bum dominate hand with limited capacity. I gave the tanks away because water changes and care was beyond my physical abilities and I didn't want them to suffer.

Now it's four years later and I miss my little friends. I have so much spare time, can't do much at all and was thinking a really small tank might be manageable. My wife brought me to the pet store and I bought a 5 gallon glowfish tank setup. It had kind of a crappy hang on the back filter that worried me.

I bought one $6 glow fish to turn the tank and keep me amused.

It was a day before I was underwhelmed. It was hard to see the fish because of tank height. I couldn't see through the top because of the lid so I had to crough over to peek in. Though I did like the glow effect.

I returned to the pet store and eyed a 25 gallon tall setup, I was very tempted, but I wasn't sure If I could manage that big of a tank. I thought the ten too small as well and the pet store guy in a large chain store told me there was no tanks between 10 and 20 gallons. So I would have to start with a 20 long. I thought I was stuck. I really didn't want a twenty long.

Having the same height issue I thought of maybe a taller stand. They had some ugly ones and they were expensive.

Then I came accross a very odd tank a few asles over. It was 13 gallons but narrow but it had my needed height. 24 inches long but only 8 or so inches deep, yet it was twice the height of my little 5 gallon. I knew the surface area on top was limiting so I would need a strong filter or limit my fish, So I bought a 30 gallon fluval filter would be a nice match and I would toss the no-name one that was in the kit. I bought a 24 inch led bubble wand and a descent airpuump thinking a wider water flow would help the odd shape than for bubbles in the water. Though it is fun to look at. I needed the tank to move about without dead spots.

I went back to the pet store guy and he showed him my find in our cart. He shook his head saying anything but a long short tank is useless. All my fish will die of suffication.
I mentioned I only wanted a small comunity tank, tiny fish, guppies and neons or maybe a fist ful of glowfish in there. He said with my condition I might struggle and he recomended a betta fish in a small bowl. bah

Despite his advice I bought the 13 gallon wide screen. I knew I was taking a chance and thought he most likely knew a lot more than me, but I also knew I would enjoy the tall tank immensly. I wanted to buy 3 more glow fish and he fought me at first. The tank needs to sit a month before you add a fish. That was just too long and I was frustrated and made him give me three glowfish because you got the third free. I know kind of foolish with a brand new tank.

I did buy API quick start and stress coat. I read you can turn and add fish right away. Sounds like a gimmick but it did get good reviews and wanted something to look at, been feeling blue latey and didn't want to stare at water with one fish. I dare not get more than four though until I knew the tank could handle the load.

I bought flake and then frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. I like to mix up their meals though I am careful not to overfeed. I also bought a bunch of test strips, I can't manage the tube kits with a bad paw.

I went home, put the fish bages in my five gallon (temp home until I could set up the 13. I wanted the tank to rest a bit before adding the four fish.

I was disapointed the fish tank only had white light leds and crazy bright. I had liked the blue of the 5 had and the glow effect. So to amazon I went and bout a nicecrew 24 inch led tank light setp with rgb color. Looked fun. I bought some silicone glow plants too that looked like coral.

After a few days I had it all together. ( I have a well, so I don't get city water but it is filted so no harsh metals. ) It looks amazing. I have it on a half way between the kitchen and the livingroom so you get to see the tank from both sides. You can see all the fish easly and the colors really pop with the new multicolor light, glow fish and glow silicone plants. It has a blinking setting that allows the colors to change but it was too much. I figured if it was giving me a headache it must be stressing the fish too. Yet I do enjoy having a red tank one day and a green the next. I have multiple colors to choose from.

I went through all this because You know my choices and the whys so you might point out flaws that might get me in trouble,

Right now the fish swim all over the tank and seem happy. The heater is keeping me in the green for water temp. Everything seems okay and my test strips are not showing much.


Am I a hobbist, not sure. One thirteen gallon tank is most likely childs play to most of you. If you think I am on the wrong forum I will not be offended, I was nervous that I might seem silly with my little tank.

If you are a patient reader I am in your debt. Curious your thoughts.

TanksQ

Welcome! I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone at being disabled with a tank. I know there are a couple of us. I have rheumatoid arthritis and have been disabled since 2011. I currently have a 10 gallon community tank and a 5 gallon betta tank I also have a 30 gallon tank sitting in my garage full of water at the moment. It was used so I am doing a leak test on it for the next few days. I am going to get rid of the 5 gallon (well actually I will use it for my quarantine tank) and divide the 10 gallon for 2 bettas once I get the 30 gallon community tank set up.

I just bought the python water changer. I have heard it is so much easier to use for water changes. My first attempt was an utter failure. I am not very good with written directions and wasn't feeling good. So will be trying it again tomorrow with emptying the 30g. I watched several YouTube videos and feel like I have a better handle on it. It can be a little pricey, but it may help you with the water changes, since I find those are the most difficult with the bucket lifting and dumping.

Good luck!

 

There are tanks with filling/draining systems that are as easy to use as just turning a valve.

 

There are tanks with filling/draining systems that are as easy to use as just turning a valve.

But do they drain into a sink (or some outside drainage) or do you have to still use a bucket?

 

They drain wherever you connect the PVC to.
The king of DIY has that system in the tank that is framed into the wall. He shows it in the video where he gets the goldfish out.
I guess you can also probably install a filling system. PVC is easy to use, my dad made me do some irrigation systems with PVC and I wouldn't consider myself the brightest when it comes to crafting stuff yet they all worked without problems.
I am young and don't have any physical problems but I think that our minds are the key to being free, there are always ways to work around problems.

 

The python hooks to your kitchen faucet and uses water pressure to create suction to drain the tank and then you switch a valve and it fills your tank. No buckets! The hardest part(for me because of my kitchen faucet) is figuring out how to connect it. Once you have the correct fittings it is very easy. I got mine on amazon for $40.

 

Welcome to FishLore !!
You can always come here to ask questions about your fish!! Everyone here would love helping you!!

 

Thanks Everyone,

Well that was cheering. I do not know what Sachem prime is, but I am going to look into it.

It is nice to know that I am not the only one with limitations making a tank work.

Hmmm tanks with taps built in, how would you fnd something like that? It sounds like a Godsend.

The Python sounds promising but I have one of those Hybrid kitchen sinks with a faucet with a snake like hose that pulls out with a showerhead like end, Its all one enclosure, I am thinking there isn't an adapter. I am not giving up yet, I still have the sink in the bathroom.

Looking forward to learning here, thanks for the warm welcome.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

The python hooks to your kitchen faucet and uses water pressure to create suction to drain the tank and then you switch a valve and it fills your tank. No buckets! The hardest part(for me because of my kitchen faucet) is figuring out how to connect it. Once you have the correct fittings it is very easy. I got mine on amazon for $40.

When/how do you add the water conditioner?

 

I think the tanks with taps build them in it are simple.
You drill a hole in the back of the tank and make the PVC connections accordingly. As for the filling, I would guess you just make something similar, get a water source, put a valve on it and then connect the PVC until it reaches the tank.
English is not my first langauge and I have never talked about PVC stuff in English before so pardon my caveman english lol.

As far as I know most people with the Python just take out the water they want to take, throw in the dechlorinator and then add the water back.