Optimizing An Existing Aquarium

My aquarium was started by my parents, a long time ago so I have no idea of many details (tank size, filter, heater, etc.), but after researching a bit, it's clear to me that they don't really know or understand a lot of details, such as overcrowding, the aquarium cycle, and I barely got them to understand that fish need hiding places. ****, I only learned of these things fairly recently.

So, what should I do to try to fix the many problems (listed below) on a budget, and how should I go about informing my parents in a way that makes them care as much as I do?

Fish (Tank Size: Maybe 60-70 Gallons? + 2nd Tank Size: 10-15 Gallons?)
2x Eclipse Catfish [Estimated 6-8 inches]
2x Australian Rainbowfish [Estimated 4-5 inches]
1x Giant Danio [Estimated 4-5 inches]
1x Gold Gourami [Estimated 5-6 inches]
2x Red Dwarf Gourami/Reddish-Orange Gourami? [Estimated 3-4 inches]
2x Veiled Angelfish [Estimated 2-3 inches]
1x Albino Rainbowshark [Estimated 2-3 inches]
1x Gold Pleco (Estimated 4-5 inches]

Problem #1) [Cycling] Seeing as I didn't even know this existed until recently, I'm going to assume that I need to do something about this, but the question is what? I've made the (probable) mistake of using some chemicals, so is there a way to remedy this?

Problem #2) [Feeding] I've just been going off instinct for feeding them, usually once per day with mostly flakes and some wafers for the catfish, but I'm pretty sure I'm overfeeding them even still. How should I change this, and should I add anything to the diet?

Problem #3) [Green Stuff; Algae?] There is a lot of algae (I'm assuming) covering most of the decor, even the walls of the aquarium. I haven't done anything about it yet, other than wiping it off with a sponge, but should I do anything about it, and if so, what?

Problem #4) [Chemicals] I've made the mistake of listening to my local pet store employees without doing research, but nothing I'm reading seems to be consistent. What should I be using, when should I be using it, and how should I use it?

Problem #5) [Filter] My dad bought this white cheap filter that I'm pretty sure was built for smaller aquariums, but he's the type of person who cheapskates on these sort of things. I barely understand how the filter works, much less how to maintain it or what else, so can someone help me understand what "bio-balls", filter pads, and I think carbon do and how should I use/maintain it?

That's all of the problems I can think off top my head, and I'm still learning and researching now, so any shortcuts to helpful advice/articles would just as appreciated as explanations and other things. If you need any more information, I'll try my best to give it.

Thank you for reading through all of this, and hopefully providing some assistance!

 

Problem #1) Since your tank was setup a long time ago, there's a good chance that a cycle was established. Get a test kit like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit to verify it. You Should have 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and somewhere around 2-40ppm of Nitrate. If you have 0 Nitrate, then you aren't cycled. If you have over 80ppm of Nitrate, do a water change.

Problem #2) Feed as much as your fish can consume in a couple of minutes. What you're doing seems to be okay. Maybe space out how many times you feed the catfish wafers to every other day or so.

Problem #3) Check your lighting. Shorten the amount of time the light in on. Make sure that direct sunlight isn't hitting the aquarium. I personally like green algae on my decor. Makes it seem more natural.

Problem #4) What chemicals did you buy?

Problem #5) Could you get a picture of the filter, or get the Model? I might be able to identify it and explain it.

Bio-balls are plastic balls made for biological filtration. Basically where the good bacteria that keeps the cycle live.
Filter Pads are mechanical filtration. They clean the water by filtering out anything floating in the water
Carbon is chemical filtration. It takes out the impurities in the water, but you'll have to replace it every month. Most people here don't run carbon as it isn't necessary. Those who do often replace it with a different chemical filtration product, Seachem Purigen. Its benefit is that it can be recharged after being used, and is overall, better than carbon

Something else to note, You have a stocking problem in your tank. Danios and Rainbowfish do best in schools of 6 fish or more. You only have 2 Rainbowfish and 1 Giant danio. I recommend getting more Australian Rainbowfish and Giant Danios. However, before you do that. Could you list the stock in each tank separately? That way, we can determine if the tanks are overstocked or not.

PS: You can get the capacity of the aquarium by measuring the outside dimensions and inputting it into an online calculator (like this: Calculating Aquarium Volume How Can I Figure Out How Much Water My Fish Tank Holds?) It would help

 

My aquarium was started by my parents, a long time ago so I have no idea of many details (tank size, filter, heater, etc.), but after researching a bit, it's clear to me that they don't really know or understand a lot of details, such as overcrowding, the aquarium cycle, and I barely got them to understand that fish need hiding places. , I only learned of these things fairly recently.

So, what should I do to try to fix the many problems (listed below) on a budget, and how should I go about informing my parents in a way that makes them care as much as I do?

Fish (Tank Size: Maybe 60-70 Gallons? + 2nd Tank Size: 10-15 Gallons?)
2x Eclipse Catfish [Estimated 6-8 inches]
2x Australian Rainbowfish [Estimated 4-5 inches]
1x Giant Danio [Estimated 4-5 inches]
1x Gold Gourami [Estimated 5-6 inches]
2x Red Dwarf Gourami/Reddish-Orange Gourami? [Estimated 3-4 inches]
2x Veiled Angelfish [Estimated 2-3 inches]
1x Albino Rainbowshark [Estimated 2-3 inches]
1x Gold Pleco (Estimated 4-5 inches]

Problem #1) [Cycling] Seeing as I didn't even know this existed until recently, I'm going to assume that I need to do something about this, but the question is what? I've made the (probable) mistake of using some chemicals, so is there a way to remedy this?

Problem #2) [Feeding] I've just been going off instinct for feeding them, usually once per day with mostly flakes and some wafers for the catfish, but I'm pretty sure I'm overfeeding them even still. How should I change this, and should I add anything to the diet?

Problem #3) [Green Stuff; Algae?] There is a lot of algae (I'm assuming) covering most of the decor, even the walls of the aquarium. I haven't done anything about it yet, other than wiping it off with a sponge, but should I do anything about it, and if so, what?

Problem #4) [Chemicals] I've made the mistake of listening to my local pet store employees without doing research, but nothing I'm reading seems to be consistent. What should I be using, when should I be using it, and how should I use it?

Problem #5) [Filter] My dad bought this white cheap filter that I'm pretty sure was built for smaller aquariums, but he's the type of person who cheapskates on these sort of things. I barely understand how the filter works, much less how to maintain it or what else, so can someone help me understand what "bio-balls", filter pads, and I think carbon do and how should I use/maintain it?

That's all of the problems I can think off top my head, and I'm still learning and researching now, so any shortcuts to helpful advice/articles would just as appreciated as explanations and other things. If you need any more information, I'll try my best to give it.

Thank you for reading through all of this, and hopefully providing some assistance!

From a few quick google searches and a while of studying before, I can help on the stocking front. The Danio need a school of 6 or more and so do rainbowfish, the eclipse catfish can grow to 18" but they almost always grow to 10". I know the gold pleco would be alright in a bare minimum of 55 gallons, so I'm kinda sure he'll do well in the bigger tank. I don't know about the gourami, angels, or shark.
I'm not sure on how much you should feed, but I suggest that you feed twice a day. make the feedings 12 hrs apart, for example, 7 am and 7 pm, 6 am and 6 pm, etc.

can you give us the dimensions of both tanks and which fish live in them? that would help everyone in giving you better advice.

 

I think its more appropriate to focus on the questions - which are a lot more important IMO - rather than stocking...

 

I think that I misspoke about the tank; the small one is currently empty and dry (probably dirty too) and we have it for a hospital/isolation tank. All the fish listed is in the big tank.

The size that I calculated was smaller that what I expected and hoped - about 55 gallons.

Problem #1) Working on it; update when I can get results because my parents don't want to spend money on a testing kit and I have to get it done at a PetSmart.

Problem #2) Starting to feed small amounts twice a day; should I be worried about getting more types of food?

Problem #3) I checked that it's not in direct sunlight, although I will start keeping the light off more; I was just concerned if the algae had a negative effect on the aquarium.

Problem #4) API StressCoat and StressZyme; I used them as directed, but should I be using them at all? Reviews that I've read seem mixed on the topic.

Problem #5) I've posted the pictures of it, though now I've realized that the model is labeled SunSun HW-303B; After some more Googling, it doesn't seem bad, but my dad refuses to get more filter pads and reuses both the carbon and dirty filter pads after washing them out. Is that extremely bad? Is there anything I can do?

Also, I'm planning on cleaning my tank relatively soon because there is a ton of sludge on the gravel; any tips? I just have a vacuum that looks like this.


Also, for the stocking problem; My parents think that the Australian Rainbowfish/Giant Danios "look boring", and they don't want to get anymore. Besides, I'm pretty sure that the tank is now super overcrowded, but is there anything that I should be doing to fix this?

Sorry if it seems like I'm whining about my parents , but I'll do whatever I can to improve the situation. Thank you for your help!

 

Also, pictures are attached here.

 

Definitely a 55. Try to get rid of the eclipse cats, because they are literally smaller yellow red tail catfish. They can grow up to 18 inches. You most likely have a fine cycle, and mainly you need to up the schools, or get rid of some schooling fish. If you can't get rid of fish, you should up the filter. Cotton cloth, sponges, and sponges work as diy media. Can you get another filter? The filter is only 265 gph. I recommend an aquaclear 50-70. They are pricey tho, so a penguin marineland 350 is REALLY cheap. It goes for 22-25 bucks.