Fish Questions

Kelly68 · 09-16-2007, 10:40 AM

Hi All. I have been a member for a long time but always had issues posting in the forums. Seems I can now.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I run a Fish Rescue and breed freshwater angelfish. I have had pond fish all the way to saltwater fish. So if at any point you are having trouble with your tank or just need a fish question answered.....please feel free to ask away.

There is lots to know when setting up new tanks that petstores don't tell you. I am more than willing to help out in any way that I can. No question is a stupid question. That is how we learn. I have been in the business and hobby for over 19 years. I currently have about 80 fish tanks that total about 3500 gallons. I do not know it all, but if I can't answer your question, I will find someone who can. After all...FISH ARE PETS TOO!!!!

Kelly

**Mike** · 09-16-2007, 11:46 AM

Awesome, and glad you can post now!

**LinksToThePast** · 09-16-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly68

I am more than willing to help out in any way that I can. No question is a stupid question. That is how we learn. I have been in the business and hobby for over 19 years. I currently have about 80 fish tanks that total about 3500 gallons. I do not know it all, but if I can't answer your question, I will find someone who can.

Kelly thank you very much for your offer. Maybe you can help me.
I have a 55 gallon take that has two fish in it. One relatively large TBarb and a large Plecostomus (hope I spelled that right).

I would like to add more fish to the tank, but just can't decide what kind.The Pleco I know is pretty harmless, but I am afraid the TBarb is going to be too aggressive. I like danios and tetras, but I suspect those will get gulped up in one pass across the tank.

Any advice? I am thinking of something that schools and possibly add more color.

Links-

Kelly68 · 09-16-2007, 01:35 PM

Yes, I can see what you are worried about. Tiger Barbs are nasty little guys once they get bigger...especially if you have one that is large. A few rules of thumb: an inch of fish per one gallon of water when it comes to freshwater. Tiger Barbs are also a schooling fish. I have a 46 bowfront that has 4 nice size barbs in it that I rescued...but they grew up with the others that are in there too. I have scissor tails, gourami's, rasboras, tetra's all in the same tank as the tiger barbs and they stay to themselves. They say the best chance for barbs to leave everyone alone is by having them in schools of at least 10. So I would say either get yours a lot of friends or find him a new home and start fresh.

For color and schooling, I love the cardinal tetras. Almost like a neon, but neons have one half red and one half blue stripe. Cardinals have full red and blue stripes and they get bigger. Black neons are very hardy, white clouds are cheap and neat. Lemon tetras are cool.

I hope this answered your questions. If it were me, I would find your big guy a new home and start fresh. Chances are if you put barbs in last, they have a better chance of getting along with the others. One dominant one already in his home will kick butt.

Kelly

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-16-2007, 01:50 PM

Great to hear from you Kelly! I used to run several fish tanks myself. But since I moved out here I have had so many troubles with the water that I gave up.

Carol

Kelly68 · 09-16-2007, 02:04 PM

I am glad I live where I don't have to do anything to my water. Makes running 80+ tanks a little easier. I have heard a lot of nice things about you Carol, and it is nice to meet you.

Kelly

**LinksToThePast** · 09-16-2007, 02:05 PM

I don't think he/she is a tiger barb. Those have more tiger stripes on them. This one when showing all the colors has a big T on its side. It is about 8-9 inches long.
I may get it a new home, if I can figure out a place to put a new tank.

I have raised fish since I was a youngun'. I didn't have any fish for a long time after I moved into this house, except for a few guppies that my daughter adopted...then a gold fish which is still happy in his tank on her desk.

These barbs are a rescue so the species is new to me. The guy who had the 4 was moving to Florida and didn't want to risk losing the fish on the drive. Glad he didn't! I have enjoyed the fish all these years since....too bad the others passed.

Are salt water tanks hard to take care of?
I have been afraid to start one all these years because I have heard the upkeep is a lot of work.

Links-

Kelly68 · 09-16-2007, 02:16 PM

Yes, saltwater tanks really aren't "hard" to do...but they sure are ALOT of work. They need perfect water quality or algae will grow like mad. They are beautiful no doubt and can be done if you have the time and patience to tend to them almost on a daily basis.

Not sure what kind of fish you are talking about. Will have to look into that. Now I am interested to see what you mean.

**LinksToThePast** · 09-16-2007, 02:50 PM

I did a google search and it appears to have another name.

Spanner Barb
I would take a picture but I have never had good luck taking a photo of this tank.

There is a photo on this site.
Barbs

Scroll down about 3/4 of the way just before the striped barbs.

Kelly68 · 09-16-2007, 02:54 PM

Never seen that type of barb before. They look interesting though. Still, I think if you want to keep schooling type of tetra's it may be time to move him. Still find him a playmate though so he is not lonely.

Thanks for the picture.

**LinksToThePast** · 09-16-2007, 03:56 PM

Thanks for the advise.

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-16-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly68

I am glad I live where I don't have to do anything to my water. Makes running 80+ tanks a little easier. I have heard a lot of nice things about you Carol, and it is nice to meet you.

Kelly

I had no problem running my tanks when I lived in Milwaukee. One of my favorite stores was Hoffers........I had 4 tanks running back there.

Moved all my fish out here safely. They all survived. Set up the tanks, added my fish when they were ready.....and all my fish died. I tried several times and found out it was the water.

Only thing I kept going were 5 huge gold fish someone no longer wanted. I didnt have to do a thing to the water for them. But all my fancy fish died.

Nice meeting you as well Kelly!

**LinksToThePast** · 09-17-2007, 06:22 AM

That would suck to have bad water and pretty expensive to buy bottled water, depending on the size of your tank(s). Ever consider a water filter?

Links-

**CarolsCritterCare** · 09-17-2007, 01:01 PM

The water is filtered 2 different times before coming out of the facuet Purchased an expensive water softening system to go along with it.......it's just real bad water.
Monthly I have to run CLR thru my tankless renei hot water system to clean the heating elements because they get so gunked up my hot water will shut down otherwise.

My one tank is 75 gal. My other 2 tanks are 35 gal each ~ that's a lot of bottled water.

Kelly68 · 09-17-2007, 01:19 PM

I know where my mom lives, in Weston...their water is bad too. She went out and bought distilled water from the store. She only had a 20 gallon though. It really bits if someone has a hobby of fish and can't even keep a tank.

That is why I am lucky to be able to keep so many tanks! Only bad part is I live in in the city and have to pay water and sewer to keep them all clean.