Fishy Help

[rhineholt]

So I just got some fish for my dorm room like, 3 days ago and already the waters looking murky.
I have this fishtank.
[url="http://www.shopwiki.com/_Kollercraft+Aqua+View+360+Aquarium+Kit?o=1033963763&s=3885&"]http://www.shopwiki.com/_Kollercraft+Aqua+View+360+Aquarium+Kit?o=1033963763&s=3885&[/url]
It's 2 gallons and it's not too bad.
Now, how would I go about cleaning it?
I know that I shouldn't completely empty the water out because something about bacteria, but how would i get at the rocks?
I would prefer not to buy one of those gravel hoses, like, I won't do it... hah.

Another thing, what do I do about the water situation?
I was just going fill up a gallon or 2 with water and put those pills that dechlorinate the water in there, then let it sit so it becomes room temp.
Sounds good?

[johnicd]

[quote name='rhineholt' date='05 February 2010 - 10:08 AM' timestamp='1265389698' post='449905']
So I just got some fish for my dorm room like, 3 days ago and already the waters looking murky.
I have this fishtank.
[url="http://www.shopwiki.com/_Kollercraft+Aqua+View+360+Aquarium+Kit?o=1033963763&s=3885&"]http://www.shopwiki....3963763&s=3885&[/url]
It's 2 gallons and it's not too bad.
Now, how would I go about cleaning it?
I know that I shouldn't completely empty the water out because something about bacteria, but how would i get at the rocks?
I would prefer not to buy one of those gravel hoses, like, I won't do it... hah.

Another thing, what do I do about the water situation?
I was just going fill up a gallon or 2 with water and put those pills that dechlorinate the water in there, then let it sit so it becomes room temp.
Sounds good?
[/quote]


Every tank needs to acclimate first. Meaning that there needs to be a build up bacteria present before adding fish or live animals. Best way to do this is to fill the tank with water. dechlorinate it with a product called Prime. Then add a some fish food or frozen krill. Let that sit in the tank for a few days. Then change a 1/4 of the water every 3 days for two weeks. After that, SLOWLY start adding fish. In a 2 gallon tank, you would be limited to 2 or 3 small fish. So add one, then a week later add another. If there is no filtration, you need to manually change half the water each week. If there is some sort of filtration, change 1/4 of the water every week. Remember that the smaller the tank, the harder it is going to be to keep the water clean.

For water changes, let it sit till it gets room temp. Dechlorinate the water then very slowly add it to the existing water in the tank. PM me if you need further information about keeping the water clean or fish selection. Happy fish keeping and happy smoking!

[Arcane]

i think K1024 is a big fish person....i'll PM him and direct him to this thread...

[K1024]

[quote name='johnicd' date='05 February 2010 - 12:25 PM' timestamp='1265401509' post='449938']
[quote name='rhineholt' date='05 February 2010 - 10:08 AM' timestamp='1265389698' post='449905']
So I just got some fish for my dorm room like, 3 days ago and already the waters looking murky.
I have this fishtank.
[url="http://www.shopwiki.com/_Kollercraft+Aqua+View+360+Aquarium+Kit?o=1033963763&s=3885&"]http://www.shopwiki....3963763&s=3885&[/url]
It's 2 gallons and it's not too bad.
Now, how would I go about cleaning it?
I know that I shouldn't completely empty the water out because something about bacteria, but how would i get at the rocks?
I would prefer not to buy one of those gravel hoses, like, I won't do it... hah.

Another thing, what do I do about the water situation?
I was just going fill up a gallon or 2 with water and put those pills that dechlorinate the water in there, then let it sit so it becomes room temp.
Sounds good?
[/quote]


Every tank needs to acclimate first. Meaning that there needs to be a build up bacteria present before adding fish or live animals. Best way to do this is to fill the tank with water. dechlorinate it with a product called Prime. Then add a some fish food or frozen krill. Let that sit in the tank for a few days. Then change a 1/4 of the water every 3 days for two weeks. After that, SLOWLY start adding fish. In a 2 gallon tank, you would be limited to 2 or 3 small fish. So add one, then a week later add another. If there is no filtration, you need to manually change half the water each week. If there is some sort of filtration, change 1/4 of the water every week. Remember that the smaller the tank, the harder it is going to be to keep the water clean.

For water changes, let it sit till it gets room temp. Dechlorinate the water then very slowly add it to the existing water in the tank. PM me if you need further information about keeping the water clean or fish selection. Happy fish keeping and happy smoking!
[/quote]

thats a fishless cycle. im going to guess that you already have fish in there. if so you can do a fish-in cycle, but it could get messy (somethings probably going to die). i had a lot of stuff written up, and then i accidentaly closed the tab so i lost it all. instead of typing it up here im going to just ask some questions and then work from there.

1.) have you put fish in there yet, how many and what kind.
2.) does the "filter" actually circulate water? i read a couple of customer comments about that tank and it doesnt seem like it does..
3.) your going to need a gravel cleaner, whether or not you go to lowes and build one for 2$ or go to the fish store and get one is up to you. the only way to clean the gravel otherwise would be to scoop it out, then use tank water to rinse it clean. you couldnt use tap water to do this without killing off the helpful bacteria.

on a 2 gallon tank its going to get dirty fast, expect to need to do water changes every 1-2 weeks at least. if the filter isnt circulating the water in any way youll need to do water changes every week for sure.

good luck with the fish keeping, and welcome to an awesome hobby.

[johnicd]

Hey k1024, I think just using a piece of tubing gravity fed to clean the rock bed with would be better for that small of a tank. Know what I mean, a under gravel filtration system might be a tad overkill for what he has. For my breeder tanks which were your standard 2 1/2 gallon tanks I just used a small filter and cleaned the sand bed on them once a week while doing water changes. Worked out perfect for me and I was able to grow many baby african cichlids as well as feeder guppies for my bigger fish.

Mind posting what you have as far as tanks? I use to be big into fish but have recently taken mine down due to moving to an apartment. When I took them down, I had my 55 gallon with african cichlids, my 75 with saltwater predators, and my 125 as my reef.

[Arcane]

i had a betta...in a fishbowl....with glass stones on the bottom...

he ate dried shrimp...

[Travis]

[quote name='Arcane' date='05 February 2010 - 08:19 PM' timestamp='1265422775' post='449993']
i had a betta...in a fishbowl....with glass stones on the bottom...

he ate dried shrimp...


[/quote]

Complicated!

[rhineholt]

[size=2]Okay, first off, Jay thanks for showing him this post.[/size]
[size=2]
[/size]
[size=2]Now onto K1024's questions.[/size]
[size=2]Yes, I have put fish in there. I had 3 different types, but one of them died within the first 24hrs. Unfortunately, I don't know entirely know what kind they are... They were on sale. I know for sure one is a Zebra Danio, but that's the one that died... So it doesn't help much. I wanna say another one is a[/size][size=2] [/size][size=2]Serpae Tetra. The last one I can't remember what it was for the life of me.[/size]
[size=2]
[/size]
[size=2]Onto the filter, it more so just... makes bubbles in the middle. Like, there's a little tube that goes into the bottom of the tank and the "filter" thing just goes in that and blows bubbles. It doesn't really do much.[/size]
[size=2]
[/size]
[size=2]A gravel cleaner... Okay, if I build one, what would i need? And what would the process be like?[/size]
[size=2]
[/size]
[size=2]I'm actually getting into this. It's weird. I never thought I would but I'm kinda having fun just doing this. Now, I just hope my room mate doesn't kill them over the weekend... [size=3][img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/girl_prepare_fish.gif[/img][size=2]Maybe I could start fresh though? Haha... [/size][/size][/size]
[size=2][size=3][size=2]
[/size][/size][/size]
[size=2][size=3][size=2]Thank you K1024.[/size][/size][/size]

[indian_villager]

If your zebra danio was the one that died you might be in trouble because those are really hardy fish. That is what I used to acclimate my tank. But then again I am running a 30 gal. I think you might need a better filter as well. Look into this one. http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3523858&lmdn=Brand

And k1204 seems to have covered the most of it.

[johnicd]

The "filter" that you have currently in the tank is just a bubbler. Basically all it does is introduce air into the tank and does not have any filtering properties what so ever. Look into a small filter at petsmart and call it good my friend.

[rhineholt]

How about Petco?
Is there any good filters there?
That's the only one near me.. Links would be greatly appreciated!=)

[rhineholt]

Ahhhh, my tank is starting to smell bad! What do i do?! haha

[johnicd]

You can do something like this filter.

[url="http://www.petco.com/product/102601/Aqueon-Aquarium-Power-Filters.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Filters"]http://www.petco.com/product/102601/Aqueon-Aquarium-Power-Filters.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Filters[/url]

[rhineholt]

[quote name='johnicd' date='07 February 2010 - 09:50 PM' timestamp='1265601037' post='450253']
You can do something like this filter.

[url="http://www.petco.com/product/102601/Aqueon-Aquarium-Power-Filters.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Filters"]http://www.petco.com...=FishFC_Filters[/url]
[/quote]

Would that work in my tank?

[johnicd]

whoops! Forgot that your tank was round in shape so that filter I posted wont work. You will need to find an internal filter with a suction cups. I havent been to petco in ages so I am not positive on what they have there but something like this should work. Go to your petco and ask for an internal filter for a small tank. They should point you in the right direction.

[url="http://www.petco.com/product/5409/Aquarium-Systems-Duetto-Multi-Function-Internal-Filters.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Filters"]http://www.petco.com/product/5409/Aquarium-Systems-Duetto-Multi-Function-Internal-Filters.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Filters[/url]

[rhineholt]

[quote name='johnicd' date='08 February 2010 - 03:30 PM' timestamp='1265664659' post='450444']
whoops! Forgot that your tank was round in shape so that filter I posted wont work. You will need to find an internal filter with a suction cups. I havent been to petco in ages so I am not positive on what they have there but something like this should work. Go to your petco and ask for an internal filter for a small tank. They should point you in the right direction.

[url="http://www.petco.com/product/5409/Aquarium-Systems-Duetto-Multi-Function-Internal-Filters.aspx?CoreCat=FishFC_Filters"]http://www.petco.com...=FishFC_Filters[/url]
[/quote]

That's honestly what I just got, except a little bigger.
One thing though... It seems like it's too strong.. Hahah. My fishies seem to be gettinga workout! which could be good... i guess

[johnicd]

If it seems like they are being tossed around to the point they cant swim freely, then its too much flow. If they are just sitting in the flow swimming against it then they are just having fun. As long as they have a place to get out of the flow and swim then you should be alright. If not, put some plants or something in front of the nozzle of the filter to block the flow and break it up a bit.

[rhineholt]

Okay. Now should the smell go away or should it stay?
Orrr should I just clean it?

[johnicd]

If its a pretty overpowering smell, just do a small water change like I described in the private message. Make sure to turn off any filters, heaters, bubblers, or anything that is in the tank before you do your water change. Those products are designed to run under water and its not safe to have them above water for long periods of time. Also remember to get the water dechlorinated and set to room temperature(or as close to the temp of the water currently in the tank)

[rhineholt]

[quote name='johnicd' date='08 February 2010 - 05:44 PM' timestamp='1265672644' post='450465']
If its a pretty overpowering smell, just do a small water change like I described in the private message. Make sure to turn off any filters, heaters, bubblers, or anything that is in the tank before you do your water change. Those products are designed to run under water and its not safe to have them above water for long periods of time. Also remember to get the water dechlorinated and set to room temperature(or as close to the temp of the water currently in the tank)
[/quote]
Okay, I'm planning on doing a partial water change of 1 gallon outta 2 of the gallons. Is that cool?

How would I go about cleaning the rocks or do i not need to?

[johnicd]

If you are meaning the rocks that you are using as substrate, just use your hose from your bubbler and gravity syphon all the poop and left over food.

[rhineholt]

[quote name='johnicd' date='08 February 2010 - 06:27 PM' timestamp='1265675236' post='450475']
If you are meaning the rocks that you are using as substrate, just use your hose from your bubbler and gravity syphon all the poop and left over food.
[/quote]

Yeah, that's what I was talking about.
And thank you. I'll let you know if I have any problems!

[johnicd]

Sounds good man.

[indian_villager]

[quote name='rhineholt' date='07 February 2010 - 09:03 PM' timestamp='1265594580' post='450243']
Ahhhh, my tank is starting to smell bad! What do i do?! haha
[/quote]

Ok you said that you picked up a filter that was too strong right? Well I have a used one that I'd be willing to send you but you need to find an air pump to drive it.
It is this one http://www.tetra-fish.com/sites/tetrafish/catalog/productdetail.aspx?id=1276&cid=866

and as for your smell you need some activated carbon in there to adsorb the stinkiness.

[rhineholt]

[quote name='indian_villager' date='09 February 2010 - 01:31 PM' timestamp='1265743917' post='450596']
[quote name='rhineholt' date='07 February 2010 - 09:03 PM' timestamp='1265594580' post='450243']
Ahhhh, my tank is starting to smell bad! What do i do?! haha
[/quote]

Ok you said that you picked up a filter that was too strong right? Well I have a used one that I'd be willing to send you but you need to find an air pump to drive it.
It is this one [url="http://www.tetra-fish.com/sites/tetrafish/catalog/productdetail.aspx?id=1276&cid=866"]http://www.tetra-fis...id=1276&cid=866[/url]

and as for your smell you need some activated carbon in there to adsorb the stinkiness.
[/quote]

Hey, thanks man. But I figured out a way to decrease the water flow. I also just turned the position of the filter so it's not blowing all around the tank.
Thanks again though. Maybe I'll still get it. I'll let ya know.