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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Made the usual newb mistake...

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22 Jul 2010 12:55 #1 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Well despite all the great advice on got on here I think I have overstocked my tank. I just can't stop myself buying something when I go to the fish shop and along with some bad advice from the staff I think I need to lose some fish. I have a 54L (15G I think roughly) and I have (please don't kill me!) 5 zebra danios, 4 bronze corys, 5 balloon mollies, 3 guppies and 2 amano shrimp. I know that it is too much, although I was only too ready to believe the guy in the fish shop when he said that the tank can handle it.

I am thinking that I will definitely have to get rid of something. 2 of the guppies seem to be nipping the fins of the mollies so they would probably be top of my list to go. How many fish do you think I should get rid of altogether? All the inhabitants seem to be fine apart from the fin nipping. The shrimp are doing well, despite being shy when I first got them they are doing great now.

I'm in work at the moment so not 100% sure what my ammonia, nitite, nitrate etc readings are but should be able to post them tonight.

Also the tank I have is one that my girlfriend bought me from Aldi. I'm guessing the filter that came with it isn't going to be that great so was thinking of buying a new one. Any suggestions as to what would be good for my size tank?

Oh and just got some java moss on some driftwood in there as well if that makes any difference to anything!

Again please be gentle!!

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22 Jul 2010 14:42 #2 by JohnH (John)
Oh dear, Bill,
Tell us, please, that you didn't put them all in at the same time?

Ideally your tank would just about sustain the stocking level if added gradually - to slowly increase the load on the filtration system...perhaps even a few more Fish, given the passage of time

Anyhow, damage is done now (if it was done at once?).

Please, some more details about how long a] the tank has been set up and b] how long have the Fish been in it?

A bit of aggressive behaviour is to be expected until the Fish find a 'pecking order' but once again the time factor is the one to consider.

Some floating plants (Water Lettuce if you can get any is excellent as would be Indian Ferm left unplanted) would help in providing 'safe havens' for the bullied Fish but even planted plants grown up to the water surface would help.

As to the filter, I'm not aware of which model came with the 54ltr tank from Aldi - perhaps you can tell us that too? I will suggest that since this was a 'set' from Germany it is likely to be either an Eheim, or Eheim derivative and these are generally excellent filters, I use them myself and swear by them. You should find it to be sufficient for the tank's needs, given its size.

Please return later with your water data and someone will be able to help you better then, once they have the right information.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


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22 Jul 2010 18:16 #3 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
No not at the same time John, one thing I did right! Started off with the danios two months or so ago. Added the corys about 2 weeks later. About 3 weeks later put the mollies and guppies in (probably not my best idea). Only have the shrimps about a week and a half ago.

Here is the filter - ch-layal.en.alibaba.com/product/20076256...rium_Water_Pump.html, not too sure its that good!

My readings are - Nitrates 5.0, nitrite 0, ammonia 2.0. I know that the ammonia is far too high, have been doing regular water changes. 50% followed by 25% a couple of days later but still struggling to get it down. Using prime to condition the water. As I said the fish don't seem to be too bad although could the fin nipping be a result of the high ammonia level? Although from what I have read about shrimp they are very sensitive to ammonia and they are moving around scavenging as normal which is strange?

Any suggestions? I know the fish are suffering with the ammonia thats why I need help! Is there a possibility that the ammonia readings could be off?

Sorry about the long posts just want to get this sorted!

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22 Jul 2010 18:53 #4 by dar (darren curry)
the ammonia could be stressing them out to the extent that they are fighting but i found guppies to be little gits for nipping. the test could be off but i doubt it check the expiry date. and i'd change around 10% daily to get it down 25% every couple of days wont help 50% would remove a lot of the friendly bacteria.

Check out the angling section, it is fantastic

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22 Jul 2010 19:12 #5 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Thanks Dar will start to do that. What do you reckon on the filter?

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22 Jul 2010 19:20 #6 by David (David)
Replied by David (David) on topic Re:Made the usual newb mistake...
Hi

Firstly in relation to the test kit you are using is a liquid one or a dip one
dip one's can be a little lest accurate that the liquid Type

in my own opinion i would have said your tank is over stocked
guide line for the amount of fish in a tank is around 4.5 liters per inch of fish

in relation to you filter i cant view this but i would imagine its being overworked due to stock levels and cant cope giving the amount of waste generated by the fish

Just my thoughts

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22 Jul 2010 19:29 #7 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Thanks for the reply David. Its the liquid API one. Yeah I was thinking it may be a bit overstocked. The filter is made by Shenzhen Layal Aquarium Co. Ltd. I don't know if this means it an Eheim derivative as suggested by John or if its just crap :(

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22 Jul 2010 19:50 #8 by tina.d (Tina Doyle)
HI, MOLLYS I HAVE FOUND ARE TERRIBLE NIPPERS THEY JUST LOVE NIPPING MA
LE GUPPIES. I HAVE FOUND EXTERNAL FILTERS ARE GREAT IF YOUR OVER STOCKED, HOWEVER WOULD ALWAYS RECOMMEND EXTERNAL FILTER, EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT. GOOD LUCK.

TINA.

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22 Jul 2010 19:50 #9 by David (David)
Replied by David (David) on topic Re:Made the usual newb mistake...
Just a thought and i am sure somone can advised better than i

Have you thought about a Filter system a bit larger than the one you already have
and see if you can use the media from your existing filter
pack the new filter with as much if not all of your existing media on top it with the new media

the larger filter should be able to cope with the bio load plus you get to keep most of your already existing bacteris

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22 Jul 2010 19:54 #10 by JohnH (John)
Bill,
I'm pleased to hear you didn't fully make the 'newbie' mistake and built up stock levels gradually.

I think the filter, from its name, sounds like an 'unheard of' one of Chinese origin so that can be no.1 on your replacement list!

To replace it? - I'm biased, go for an Eheim, but wait for other recommendations - Fluval internals are good, in fact all of the 'established' makes have their good-and not-so-good points so wait for everyone's views then decide. The Eheim wouldn't be the cheapest one around so let's throw this open to everyone's opinions.

I think Darren has a point, by changing so much water so regularly you aren't giving the poor filter time to build up a proper cycle. Consequently the ammonia is constantly being replenished and the cycling is going on, and on, ad infinitum almost.
Actually I'm a little surprised your nitrites are at zero - generally API kits are very good. Could you bring a water sample to have a 'second opinion' test somewhere?

One last question, I ask this hesitantly...are you either feeding the Fish a little too much? - Or conversely is anyone else doing a 'sly' extra feed? - It does happen, you know - and I can say this from first-hand experience!

Your observation about your filter sounds pretty accurate to me...

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


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22 Jul 2010 20:03 #11 by wolfsburg (wolfsburg)
Replied by wolfsburg (wolfsburg) on topic Re:Made the usual newb mistake...
If you are going to replace and you want a decent filter for not mad money you could go with an Eheim Pick-up 2008 or 2010. They usually work out cheaper than the equivalent Fluval. The Fluvals are good filters too though!

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22 Jul 2010 20:06 #12 by tina.d (Tina Doyle)
MORE THEN LIKELY UR FISH ARE WEAKIND BY YOUR AMOINA LEVEL. I HAVE FOUND THAT EVERY DAY SMALL WATER CHANGES WILL EVEVENTALY SORT IT. IF POSSIBLE TRY NOT TO USE TREATMENTS AS SOME CAN PLAY HAVOC WITH YOUR FILTER SYSTEM.

GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

TINA.

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22 Jul 2010 20:34 #13 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Thanks for the replies guys, I knew I'd get the answers I needed here. Didn't realise the bigger water changes could be a contributing factor. Yep think I'm going to get a new filter real soon! For my size tank would an external filter be worth it? If I'm buying one want to get the best I can (well within reason!), or would the eheim 2010 as suggested be sufficient? Are externals a lot better than the internals or is there much difference? Have no idea about filters to be honest! ;)

Oh and I might bring a sample to the LFS for a second opinion as well John

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22 Jul 2010 20:39 #14 by JohnH (John)
An external would, in your tank, be a bit of 'overkill', but having said that, I have externals running in two 60ltr tanks!
Remember you would have to 'modify' your hood too.
I think the 2010 suggested by Wolfsberg will be fine as long as it isn't higher than the internal depth of your tank (with substrate) if it is go for the 2008 - it's more or less the same filter but with one less module on it, making it less deep. Sounds like a bit of measuring to be done.
John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


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22 Jul 2010 20:40 #15 by wolfsburg (wolfsburg)
Replied by wolfsburg (wolfsburg) on topic Re:Made the usual newb mistake...
Externals are better for 3 main reasons:
They take reduce the amount of "ugly" equipment inside the tank.
They have more media in them for better biological and mechanical filtration.
They have more space in them to allow for chemical filtration such as adding activated carbon.

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22 Jul 2010 21:00 - 22 Jul 2010 21:01 #16 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
As far as I can see the 2010 filter dimensions 218 x 75 x 96 mm and the tank is a 60 x 30 x 30cm so even with substrate I should have room. Is there much hood alteration involved with the externals? They sound great (you can start to see why I bought all the fish! I hear about something new and have to have it!! Lol) even though it might be a bit of overkill!

Not dismissing your advice by the way John, just trying to explore all the avenues! I really appreciate all the advice from everyone
Last edit: 22 Jul 2010 21:01 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe).

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22 Jul 2010 21:03 #17 by wolfsburg (wolfsburg)
Replied by wolfsburg (wolfsburg) on topic Re:Made the usual newb mistake...
There shouldn't be any alterations to be done for an external, something like a Fluval 105 might be good for the size.

Just remember to leave the old filter running for a week or 2 when you introduce the new one to avoid a bacterial "crash"!!!

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23 Jul 2010 11:46 #18 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Thanks for the reply wolf. Was having a look at the Fluval 105 and it seems very good, and has gotten good reviews. I was looking at a video on youtube on how to set it up. The had the intake and outlet pipe at either side on the back of the tank. Does it have to be set up like this or can they be close together? Its just that I have only one hole on the back of my tank for equipment to go in. Now I have no problem altering the hood (or should I say getting my brother to alter the hood - he's the handyman of the family) but just don't want to do it if it unnessacary.

I know it is probably more than enough for my tank but I am thinking if I ever want to upgrade my tank can use this filter on the bigger tank.

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23 Jul 2010 11:54 #19 by dar (darren curry)
my personal opinion steer clear of that brand to many people have problems with them including me, mine (the 405) lost over half its power in just two years.

Check out the angling section, it is fantastic

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23 Jul 2010 11:59 #20 by dyco619 (steve carmody)
its fine to have the intake and outlet pipes going in beside each other. the intake will be close to the bottom and the outlet near the top.
i seen a smaller external filter, but i cant remember the name of it, suitable for 80ltr tanks i will try and find out the name later,, tho the 105 is fine.

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23 Jul 2010 20:01 #21 by wolfsburg (wolfsburg)
Replied by wolfsburg (wolfsburg) on topic Re:Made the usual newb mistake...
No hassle Bill! I had the 105 on a 70L tank for a couple of years, a couple of years ago and I found it fine... There are better and worse filters out there.
You are on the right track anyway. Keep an eye on the "for sale" section here, you might pick up a good second hand filter for good money!

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03 Aug 2010 12:00 #22 by PompeyBill (Killian Walshe)
Well I lost one of my Cory's over the weekend. I was away for the long weekend but had been doing the 10% daily changes up to that, but when I came back he was dead on his side at the bottom of the tank. I ordered the Fluval 105 last week so am hoping this helps get that ammonia down to 0 once it is delivered. After a good start to fishkeeping this is my first rocky patch but determined to get through it.

A quick question re the filter - will I need to cover the intake some how to protect my 2 amano shrimp? Don't want them being sucked up. Also there are ammonia remover media that you can get for this filter. Would they be worth throwing it in initially to get the ammonia down or just let the bacteria mature naturally to get rid of the ammonia?

On the positive side myself and the missus were up in Pet Store in Carrickmines and she was not totally against getting a bigger tank once she saw them (she has got the bug as well, happy days!! :) ). They also had some fish in up there, not too many because I think its only open though, in case anyone is close. (Mods please delete this if not appropriate, just thought I would let people know if they lived close but definitely don't want to be taking any business away from our great sponsors)

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