Received A Fish As A Gift.

Welcome. Great job on trying to do the right thing with your fish! I have no other advice to add but it seems others have great ideas for you! And what an awesome mom you have to help out, remember her birthday!! Good luck.

 

It's ok I completely understand. Thank you again. Said a prayer for your sister. I'm sister to hear that.

 

It's ok I completely understand. Thank you again. Said a prayer for your sister. I'm sister to hear that.

Thanks, she is gonna be ok, post surgical infection. So how are the finny friends today?

 

Thanks, she is gonna be ok, post surgical infection. So how are the finny friends today?

They are all doing swimmingly. Everyone is ecstatic. I won't be home until late tonight. Hopefully in the morning before work I can get the tank running adding the prime and after it's been 24 hours I can start to add the fish.

 

you don't have to wait 24 hours to add the fish in. the 24 hr deal is if you use something like tetra safe start.

 

I've read about an easy diy filter you can make- just take a plastic bottle, drill holes in it for tubing, fill it with crushed lava rocks or ceramic filter media, and attach an air pump and the airline tubing to it.

 

Oh well maybe I can get them put in even sooner. Is letting them sit in a bag for 15 minutes enough to keep them from getting into shock from temperature chnage?

 

Acclimation is for 2 things, water temp and water pH. I assume you have been using the same water source for all the water changing so pH won't be different. As for water temp, get it as close as you can and then 15 mins should be long enough to match the temp between the bag and the tank.

 

That 10 gallon was a good choice I think you should be good with it. Just do weekly water changes and you should be OK because the shrimp will act as a clean up crew.

 

Thank you, I got them all set up Friday morning and they have been loving it! I got my PH test kit in last night and can finally start testing the water today. I have just been doing 50 percent water changes because I wasn't sure what the levels were.

 

Great to hear!! Keep up on the water changes, that way your fish are protected while you get a cycle established.
Keep us updated on how it is going.

 

You got it buddy. I'm glad the tank is working out so well. My Betta Squidward was not doing well Thursday morning and I finally got all the supplies and the tank set up Thursday night. He is now swimming and looking the best I've ever seen him. I feel awful that bowl must of been torture for him and the others.

 

Great to hear!! Keep up on the water changes, that way your fish are protected while you get a cycle established.
Keep us updated on how it is going.

Update: the fish are doing wonderful and I have been doing the water changes, but I seemed to of forgot about cleaning the gravel. I just got paid and was going to order a gravel cleaner on Amazon I was wondering if you had any recommendations? Also how often should I clean the gravel? Once a week?

 

Gravel vac every week or two. Depends how strict you are with feeding. If you over feed than every week.

 

If you are handy at all you can go to a hardware store and get clear vinyl for much cheaper than a python. I have only used a python because I got it as a gift, and the part that holds the big tube on busted fairly quickly. I only use the hose part now lol. You sort of wave the end of the tubing vigorously over the bottom to stir up the gunk and let it siphon away.

Since I use it to drain water for water changes, I generally do the wave and siphon bit every time I change the water. About once every month or six weeks, I'll use a smaller tube and really get into the gravel for a bit, doing a bit larger water change.

Something like the python is good if you have a physical disability because it will drain and refill, as long as you have a sink within reach. But I'd look around for ideas, there are so many money saving alternatives out there to what the "aquarium" business sells.

 

If you are handy at all you can go to a hardware store and get clear vinyl for much cheaper than a python. I have only used a python because I got it as a gift, and the part that holds the big tube on busted fairly quickly. I only use the hose part now lol. You sort of wave the end of the tubing vigorously over the bottom to stir up the gunk and let it siphon away.

Since I use it to drain water for water changes, I generally do the wave and siphon bit every time I change the water. About once every month or six weeks, I'll use a smaller tube and really get into the gravel for a bit, doing a bit larger water change.

Something like the python is good if you have a physical disability because it will drain and refill, as long as you have a sink within reach. But I'd look around for ideas, there are so many money saving alternatives out there to what the "aquarium" business sells.

I ordered a gravel cleaner on Amazon for 7 dollars not too bad. I have been feeding the fish sparingly every other day, or so. I assume this will help the tank accumulate less dirty gravel correct?

 

I bought the aquion version of the python. I got it out of the box and looked at it. Lol. That's as far as I made it with mine.

 

I ordered a gravel cleaner on Amazon for 7 dollars not too bad. I have been feeding the fish sparingly every other day, or so. I assume this will help the tank accumulate less dirty gravel correct?

It will, but you have to be careful not to UNDERfeed. That way leads to as many illnesses and vulnerabilities as OVERfeeding.

If you are feeding flakes, put in a pinch, wait til they chow, then another pinch. If you can count them a few times, then it will be easy when you are busy.

 

Update: the fish are doing wonderful and I have been doing the water changes, but I seemed to of forgot about cleaning the gravel. I just got paid and was going to order a gravel cleaner on Amazon I was wondering if you had any recommendations? Also how often should I clean the gravel? Once a week?

Don't clean too much gravel.