New to hobby - 26 gallon bow front

Ok, I am going to start this out saying that I STARTED at another forum, however, I found the info to be rather lacking over there, and not much activity, so I have picked up and moved on. I like what I see so far here, so I am going to give it a try. This is a copy and past of my only posts at the other forum about the tank my family has set up.

Hello all, new member here. I have had several tanks back while I lived with my parents, but never anything over 5 gallons. They were all just really small tanks, and didn't usually last more than a year or so. I have been getting interested in aquariums again, and have been trying to do lots of reading over the past few years, but haven't taken the leap yet. The biggest thing was we were trying to sell our house, and I didn't want to have to deal with the moving a tank. House has sold, and we are renting for now getting a nice down payment saved up.

My wife found a used "30 gallon" (We later found out it is most likely a 26 gallon, doesn't matter) bow front aquarium. We went and picked it up back last Sunday, July 14th, got it cleaned out and had water in it that same evening. It came with matching stand, a pair of hang on back filters, as well as some plastic plants and tank decor. We washed all of the things with a combo of water and white vinegar and rinsed really well.

We picked up a new canister filter, a Penn Plax Cascade 500. So far, it has been working BEAUTIFULLY, and is dead quiet. Of course, there were a few user errors when starting, beginning with forgetting to open the valves when starting it. That lasted all of 3 seconds. Then there was an issue with air trapped in the top of the intake. Got that sorted in another couple seconds, and all was good.


Everything was really good off the get go, except the water was starting to get cloudy. After talking with someone from the LFS while getting 5 platys, he suggested it was algae building up, and keeping the light off for about 3 days, then running it 4-6 hours a day. Keeping it off for 3 days REALLY cleared it up. Now we keep it on for only about 5 hours max a day, and it is still good. We lost 1 platy in the first 24 hours, but think there was an issue with the fish, because the remaining 4 have had ZERO issues, and seem to be doing beautifully.

As for future stocking, I have NO IDEA what else would be good in this tank, but I know we would LOVE to have freshwater angels in the tank. Fingers crossed that they will work out too. Well, that won't be for at LEAST another 6-7 weeks, so we will have PLENTY of time to read up on it.

Our initial setup had 2 AirStones, one in each corner, with the far corner having a 'T' going to the treasure chest in the middle. We LOVED the lid opening and the bubbles. I am not sure what caused it, but when the treasure chest was connected the AirStone wasn't bubbling, but I think that was a pneumatic matter, with the chest being path of least resistance. However, the novelty quickly wore off, and the large bubbles were making the food sink rather quickly, and the fish did NOT seem to like it. I removed the chest from the 'T', and replaced the 'T' with.... I have NO IDEA what the part is called, but it LOOKS like a T, except the other part is a screw that is some kind of vent or something. Anyway, the AirStone now works, but the T part is bubbling too, but it bubbles through a smaller chest.

We are really LOVING the tank. Everyday before we eat dinner, we get a chair right in front of the tank, and my 2 year old daughter feeds the fish. She loves to watch them swim around and eat.

So far we have:

Mickey
Minnie - R.I.P.
Pluto
Goofy
Daisy

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that when we made a trip to Walmart the same evening that we set up the tank, the 14th, we bought some plants for the tank. 1 box of "Lilly bulbs" with 2 bulbs in it. So far they are still at the bottom, and no growth, but I am patiently waiting, no rush. We also got 2 boxes of "Hardy Aponogeton Bulbs", each with 5 bulbs. We planted half of the tank with 1 box, and went with plastic plants on the other half. If the live plants work well, we may remove the plastic plants and put the remaining 5 bulbs on the other half of the tank.

Set up phots, July 14th:

Cloudy water after a few days, July 16th:

Water cleared up after reduced light use, July 19th:

 

And here is the second post I posted over a week ago and never got any responses at the other place...


Life has been crazy busy, so nothing really has been done at all to the tank. We did lose another platy about 3 weeks ago. Not sure what happened, but it wasn't eating well then disappeared for 2 days. I found it floating in the cave, and got rid of it. Also, not surprisingly, the "live plants" have done nothing but sit there, no growth. I need to take them out, just haven't yet.

At this point, the water level has dropped about 2", so I need to get it topped off, and I also need to do a water change. To do this, I am thinking about getting a 10 gallon tank, and a 2nd heater. That way I can get about 8 gallons ready to go, and have the temps match the tank water so it doesn't shock the fish. Is that necessary though?

Also, for the canister filter, how often does the media need to be replaced? The manual which came with it simply states it will need to be replaced, but it doesn't say how often. Also, when replacing the filter media, does the new one have to be in the filter with the old to get all of the good bacteria, or can it simply be placed into the aquarium? Currently, it is running:

2x Floss Pads - CCF131
1x Carbon Mesh Bag - CCF233
1x Coarse Sponge - CCF129

Here is the list of available parts (page 4), I'm not sure if just using the exact replacements would be best, or if some of the other things they have might be better.

 

Hello and Welcome to Fish Lore!

It looks like you have a very nice set up! As a beginner to the hobby, I would suggest that you have a test kit so that you can test for everything mentioned in the Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle <---link (and link below):
Nitrogen cycle - a newbies friendly guide.

Thank you for completing your Aquarium Profile Information. It states that you are aware of the Nitrogen Cycle, having a test kit is crucial. I would recommend the API (liquid) Master Test Kit.

Knowing your readings for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH is highly recommended especially being new to the hobby. After a while, you will not need to test as often as you should be testing now.

Is your aquarium cycled?

Ken

 

Welcome.

You will find this forum to be very active and plenty of people with enough knowledge to get you on the right track fast.

Read the links Ken suggested, and once you get your tank completely cycled, take a peak at the aquarium stocking section. Loads of info in there.

Go slowly. Everyone here loves getting new fish, but if you do it too quickly, you'll only end up starting at the beginning again.

Ask plenty of questions, and take advantage of the search button. There is so much good info on this site.

 

As the other replies asked, did you cycle the tank? Also, by looking at your setup, I would say that you can lose at least half of the gravel you have in there. That's way too much.

 

Welcome to the forums..

I'm not understanding, the tank water level has dropped 2" and you haven't done a water change yet? How often are you doing a Water change? Maybe I'm reading it wrong but to me it seems you haven't done a WC in a while. if so I can see this being a cause of the fish passing. In most cases a WC is needed at least a 10% every week. In some cases 2 weeks if you have a well planted (live plants) tank, And the tank is looking great! Keep up the good work. I'm think you have ALOT of gravel for that tank . May be just me.

 

Welcome to FishLore!

At this point, the water level has dropped about 2", so I need to get it topped off, and I also need to do a water change. To do this, I am thinking about getting a 10 gallon tank, and a 2nd heater. That way I can get about 8 gallons ready to go, and have the temps match the tank water so it doesn't shock the fish. Is that necessary though?

It is preferable to have the new water's temperature as close to the tank water's temperature as possible. I just use a mixture of hot and cold from the faucett to match the tank water's temperature.

Also, for the canister filter, how often does the media need to be replaced? The manual which came with it simply states it will need to be replaced, but it doesn't say how often. Also, when replacing the filter media, does the new one have to be in the filter with the old to get all of the good bacteria, or can it simply be placed into the aquarium? Currently, it is running:

2x Floss Pads - CCF131
1x Carbon Mesh Bag - CCF233
1x Coarse Sponge - CCF129

I'm not familiar with your filter, but your carbon should be changed every 3-4 weeks, since it will become saturated with impurities and stop working. Generally floss needs to be replaced once it get dirty, but the sponge should last forever Just give it a squeeze in some dirty tank water (I do mine once a month in my canister) to get it cleaned out.

.

 

If your bow front measures 24 inches wide, 20 3/4 inches tall then it should be a 26 gallon tank. These are the measurements of mine. I did not try to figure out the front to back measurement.

I also feel that you have to much garvel in your tank even for a live planted tank.

I do like your stand over mine.

On your plant bulbs, Walmart is know for having dead bulbs, and/or sick plants. I would look for a local mom/pop fish store and buy from them after you see what his setup looks like. My LFS is actually cheaper than the big chain stores.

 

Thank you for all of the responses!!

With the gravel, we really weren't sure how much to put in there. If we take some out, is there anything I can do with it to store it, or should it just be thrown out? Not too familiar with substrate yet, need to do some more reading on that subject.

As for the bulbs, they were ALL dead. I removed the 2 large ones that sat at the surface, but there are still a few of a different variety that are under some of the gravel. I should probably try to find and remove some of those as well. Might do that if I get rid of some of the gravel.

With the water level, it is ALL due to evaporation at this point. We have NOT yet done a water change, but we are going to be filling it tomorrow. The LFS that I went to (the walmart plant purchase was an impulse buy) said that we should leave it for 4-8 weeks WITHOUT doing a change since this is a fresh tank. I know, it has been far longer than that, we have just been so incredibly busy lately. No excuse though.

Today I had the time to head out to a pet store to get supplies for water changes. I got a 5 gallon bucket and lid which is DEDICATED to ONLY the fish, a thermometer, and also a heater rated for 2-10 gallon setups. The bucket was filled earlier today, and heater is plugged in. My plan is to fill the tank tomorrow evening after giving the bucket water 24 hours, with the assumption that the temps match. The water was treated with API Tap Water Conditioner. I also picked up an API Freshwater testing kit.

Depending on free time tomorrow, we MIGHT be able to stop at the LFS and get a few more platys, but we will see.

 

With the gravel, we really weren't sure how much to put in there. If we take some out, is there anything I can do with it to store it, or should it just be thrown out? Not too familiar with substrate yet, need to do some more reading on that subject.

About 2 inches depth is all that is needed. The extra I would wash really good and lay out to dry in the sun shine. Then store in a 5 gallon bucket with lid or something similar. When you go to use it later then rewash it before adding to the next tank.

 

Depending on free time tomorrow, we MIGHT be able to stop at the LFS and get a few more platys, but we will see.

First you should test the water, then you'll know if you need to do a water change or make any adjustments. The advice at chain stores (and some/most local stores) needs to be a taken with a large grain of salt.

 

Welcome!! do you have a gravel vacuume? They are also pretty much essential to doing a wc. I don't think its very neccecary to put the heater in the bucket as the fish shouldnt mind a couple degree difference in temperature. I usually vacuum the substrate and once my tanks about 1/2- 2/3 full I use a bucket and fill it from faucet, feeling the water with my hand(or using thermometer) until it feels right, then I add a few drops of prime and slowly pour water in

I would also hold off a little bit on adding more platys, this way you can figure out your stock and get a good wc schedule down. For plants you could try wisteria, hornwort, anarcharis, java fern, anubias, swords or crypts. They're all pretty easy beginner plants

I'm unfamiliar with the bowfront 26 gal, so can't tell you if it is good for angels, but if it is you would only be able to fit one angelfish and then some other smaller fish. I. Would suggest cories as they are very active. You could add more livebearers(like platys, male guppies, swordtails, mollies, endlers) or tetra/schooling fish. Just know that livebearers will breed and you'll end up with a lot of baby fish/fry that will need a home. This can be prevented by getting all male livebearers. hope this helps!! Good luck! Also, could you post tanks perimeters/ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels? They would help us all know how to help you more

 

Ok, I finished reading through the API test booklet, and performed all of the water tests.... Best I can tell, these are what the levels are at.....

pH - 7.6 maybe... should I use the high pH test kit?
Amonia - 0-0.25 ppm, closer to 0.25 ppm I think
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 0-5 ppm, closer to 5 I think

Tank temp - 76* F
Water change bucket - 76* F

Since the bucket is same temp as tank, and water has been sitting for roughly 7 hours now, think it is ok to fill the tank?

Yes, I do have a gravel vac, haven't tried it yet though. haven't used one for years and years. When I do use it, I am going to have the 5 gallon bucket sitting inside a Rubbermaid 30 or 40 gallon tote, don't need to overflow the bucket all over the carpet.

 

Nice set up! that's a whole heap gravel!! love the colour though!

imo those tests look ok,apart from the ph, a lot darker but your nitrite seems to be good, nitrate can vary anyway as long as its not excessive which I don't believe yours is.



.

 

I did the high pH test this morning. I figure, 7.6-7.8 for pH I guess.

Also, got the tan filler up, no more waterfall from the filter return... about time. Gotta quit being lazy in the evenings.

 

Looks good to me. I would remove some gravel, do a little water change (10%), vacuum a little and go about stocking your tank (slowly).

 

Welcome! I'm new here as well and have found this to be a very helpful community.

First, regarding the advise of the store employee, there is a major difference between a fishless cycle and a fish-in cycle. When doing a fishless cycle (cycling your aquarium without fish) you dose with ammonia to grow and feed the beneficial bacteria in your filter media, in this case you do not do water-changes (or they are very infrequent.) When you are cycling your tank with fish, you do not have the luxury of letting ammonia build up, the cycle process is lot slower, and you must do frequent water changes to remove excess ammonia. There's plenty of info on cycling, as you indicate in your profile that you are aware of this, but I think that's what the person may have been referring to when he said not to change your water.

Regarding your filter media, you do need to change the carbon every month IF you choose to keep active carbon in your filter. Carbon is there to remove chemicals, but unless you are medicating or adding anything other than water conditioner I feel that it is unnecessary. I have never used carbon in my tanks unless I had to medicate, then I only put it in after medicating to remove the chemicals when it was no longer needed. Also, as mentioned earlier, never change your bio media. I would also recommend trading out the "sponges" (not the hard matter sponge that's likely toward the bottom of the canister, but whatever you have at the top) for something like Fluval Biomax, which are like little ceramic cylinders. Never rinse these in tap water, always use tank water when you are doing a water change to rinse them off, but you don't need to do this very often at all.

 

I would also recommend trading out the "sponges" (not the hard matter sponge that's likely toward the bottom of the canister, but whatever you have at the top) for something like Fluval Biomax, which are like little ceramic cylinders. Never rinse these in tap water, always use tank water when you are doing a water change to rinse them off, but you don't need to do this very often at all.

Maybe don't completely replace what you have with new media, because it sounds like you are already cycled (or almost cycled because you said ammonia might be .25) and then you'd be starting all over again. I've just never been a fan of the sponge type bio media because in my experience they tend to break down over time (at least the one's I have had) and ceramic type bio media will never break down and never need replaced.

 

We took a trip to the LFS today and got some more stock for the tank.

1 - silver angelfish
1 - black angelfish
3 - zebra snails
8-10 ghost shrimp

The snails and shrimp have been very active the past few hours. Also, fed the fish and they are all eating very well. Won't be looking to do any further stocking on this until at LEAST past new years. Possibly around spring if I get MY way, lol.

 

It looks great! Much better with less gravel. Your angels are lovely. Good luck with them.

 

I agree with TexasFishNut that a 10 or 15 percent water change weekly is a great thing to do. I would also recommend Seachem Prime as a water condiotioner and Seachem Stability to cycle the tank if fish are already in the tank. I have cycled 5 Aquariums using Seachem Stability and never lost a fish.

 

Just did a 20% water change today, and the clarity of the water is much better already. I have the next 5 gallon bucket sitting and ready to go, will likely do another 5 gal change on Saturday evening.

So far so good, everything is doing GREAT in the tank. Although, I would like to redo the aquascape, to allow more hiding places for the fish.


Also, I am going to be doing some research on what is needed to keep live plants in the tank, as far as if the filter is up to the task, and if it will harm the fish, or fish harming the plants, if the lighting is adequate, substrate, etc. etc. etc.

I haven't YET pulled any of the gravel out, but will likely be doing this when I redo the aquascape.

 

Hi, and I think that you'll like it here, some very good information, and likewise the people are great, very supportive and anxious to help.
You have already met the most important requirement in keeping fish; not only does your spouse support your hobby, she finds a tank for you! must have a word with my wife about that--very well done.
In case you are wondering about all the comments on gravel depth, the deeper the gravel (unless you have an undergravel filter, which most don't, these days), the less circulation of water through the gravel, the less gas exchange, and dead spots begin, where anaerobic (non oxygen loving) bacteria thrive. These bacteria produce, among other things, sulfur dioxide, which you will be familiar with if you have ever had an old dog with a taste for rich food, or stepped in a swamp. It is toxic to fish, and therefore to be avoided.
The water siphon referred to is sold most often under the brand name Python, although there are others on the market. The idea is that by attaching one end to a faucet, and running water through it, you create a slight vacuum, which allows you to easily drain water and clean gravel using the other end, which is simply a cylinder of about ten inches length, about 2.5" wide--it will pick up gravel for about 3-4 inches, but will eventually release the gravel due to the gravel's weight, minus what left over food, fish waste, etc might have been in the gravel--you then simply make a minor adjustment at the faucet end to reverse the flow, and add water either to your aquarium or to a container--either way the water must be treated to remove chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, etc. IMO, whoever invented the Python should win a Nobel Peace Prize, it really does makes water changes that much less of a task.
You might wish to download the Freshwater E-book found on the home page, and go over it carefully.
You might also check with your water utility to get the values for pH, hardness, nitrate and nitrite in your tap water, which will give you known values to test your test kit against.
Angels are great fish; they will, however, eat any fish small enough to eat, such as neons, and as they often spawn in a community tank, be aware that they will become a little territorial and aggressive just before, during and after the spawn; their aggression is quite minimal, though, All the best to you, and have fun.---rick

 

Also, I am going to be doing some research on what is needed to keep live plants in the tank, as far as if the filter is up to the task, and if it will harm the fish, or fish harming the plants, if the lighting is adequate, substrate, etc. etc. etc.

I haven't YET pulled any of the gravel out, but will likely be doing this when I redo the aquascape.

Glad to hear everything is going well! Your filter will not be affected by the plants, in fact quite the opposite, live plants will help absorb ammonia and will in no way harm your fish as long as you are sure to get aquatic plants from an LFS. I'm not sure if angels will uproot plants (I've never had angels), but I have a feeling they might. You snails will love the algae that will grow on the plants and will help keep the leaves nice and clean, and if you get common hardy aquarium plants there shouldn't be any specific substrate requirements. Lighting is, of course, very important, so do your research there and make sure you are getting all plants that are low, mid, or high light required and not mixing them, and check the specs on the light itself to make sure it can accommodate the types of plants you want.

You can also get into Co2 and other such advanced plant-keeping topics, but I won't get into that (mostly because I have no experience with it)

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!!


Some updates on the tank.... All of the fish are doing GREAT! We did have one snail die about a month back, I'm not sure if it was a fish, a shrimp, or me. I leave the snails alone unless they climb OUT of the water in the tank. When they do that, I gently pull them off and drop them back to the bottom of the tank. I'm not sure if it was me, because after pulling it off one day, it never moved, and the shell was then empty.

We went on vacation at the beginning of November, and I goofed on the auto feeder. It fed ENTIRELY too much!! We got home and it looked like it was SNOWING in the tank with all the food in there. We were only gone from Friday afternoon until Monday evening. The water had a nice strong green tint to it.

Later that week, I removed about 15-20 pounds of the rocks from the left hand side, removed some of the smaller ornaments, and put in a BIG rock formation that we got with the tank but didn't initially use. I also did about a 30% water change that day, and another 30% a few days later.

Now, after the water changes, and aquascape change, I am not sure if we have ANY shrimp yet. I KNOW there were at LEAST a half dozen of the BEFORE the water change and aquascape, because I took my time to find them, and MOVE them to the right side of the tank to avoid getting sucked up the vac, or getting scooped out with the gravel, or buried in gravel. I don't know if they are gone or eaten, or if they just have really good hiding places now.


I also tested the water today, found the pH to still be about 7.6, Ammonia to be 0, Nitrite to be 0, but Nitrate is VERY high. I tested the water source, and it is reading 0. The tank isn't even CLOSE to being over stocked, 3 platys, and 2 angels, 2 zebra snails, and 0-11 ghost shrimp. I will have to try feeding less to see if it improves.

 

Glad its all going well!! I would do 50% water changes until nitrates go down. Also, 2 angels for a 26 gal is a lot. Angels need 20 gal each territory wise. I would rehome one of the angels and replace it with a small school of fish such as 6 rasboras or rummy ose tetras.

 

I'm not sure if it indicates anything, but these 2 angels seem to school together. Once in a while they are in different parts of the tank, but they typically swim together like they are schooling. I will keep an eye on them, but they have been doing great, no aggression in any of the fish. We don't plan on doing any further stocking at this time, but I might pick up another few snails after the holidays. We will see.