freshwater

[ophiura]

There are lots of different types of freshwater tanks, and freshwater fish, some of which are quite easy to kill. The mistake is that so many people assume they can all be mixed. Goldfish with angelfish, guppies with tetras, etc. But in general, each group of fish does best with certain other fish, and with certain water chems...and certain plants if you get into it. And there can be some incredibly beautiful results. I am quite interested in both fresh and saltwater tanks and both have their rewards. Besides, you can do really nice things with freshwater on a very limited budget, or even get into breeding the fish and selling them back to the LFS.

 

[cindyski]

i have had freshwater for many years (15+) always you have to be careful what you mix in fw or sw (i am just getting started in salt) you must have read by now to use tap water, yes that is what you do lake vs ocean or fresh vs salt. i always used stress coat to take out the impurities and that worked VERY well for me. my last 2 tanks were agressive, the last being CONVICTS which are of the cichlid family. now, from personal experience DO NOT get these fish UNLESS you want to have lots and lots of baby fish , they multiply like underwater rabbits!!!!! i started out with 4 and ended up with well over 100. and you cant even give them away, the lfs really are not even interested.
convict cichlids are one of the few fish that i know of that you can tell the --- of the fish. the females have a red sort of belly and when they are ready to lay eggs the get some bright blue vibrant color to them. they ARE beautiful fish, they do not eat their young so thats where you get alot of population. i had to get population control (ie jack dempsy & oscar (i had no problems but some say not to mix them)) sorry to get off the subject, but everyone has been so helpful to me here i just wanted to offer some personal experience of my own.
also there are some freshwater forums that might help you out better than here.
ps convicts are VERY hardy fish and good to cycle your tank but like i said they are agressive and you wont want to mix them with tropicals
hth

 

[the claw]

Ph is important with what kind of freshwater fish you are using. If this was already stated, I'm sorry I didn't want to read through all of the rhetoric. For instance Tetras and your amazonian type fish like acidic water,(Ph of 6.8-7.0) where as some are more alkaline like your African cichlids. You also have to worry about hardness of your water. Tetras prefer really soft water. This is like R/o dh20, where others prefer hardwater. Just like the saltwater hobby, there are alot of things to know. Don't be an idiot and throw some fish in a bowl, until you research and learn.

 

[jillian ayers]

Originally posted by beaslbob
Actually it is very easy to get snales in fw. the eggs come in on the plants you buy. Snales just start showing up. It is a built in cleaner crew
Gee i guess my 10g with 30 guppies, 2 platties is really outta line. Well over the 1"/gallon rule. Especially with no circulation and no filtration. Oh yea I do have those plants
I'm sorry, but the way you treat your fish is horrible! Some people should really not be allowed to buy fish of any kind at all.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by Jillian Ayers
I'm sorry, but the way you treat your fish is horrible! Some people should really not be allowed to buy fish of any kind at all.
Jullian: Thank God the fish didn't listen to you.
Seriously, I only bought 3 guppies and 2 platties. All of the fish have grown from those original purchases. They are breathing normally, active, having --- and making babies. The plants are green, growing, and sending out runners with new plants. Snail population has stabilized to where they are amost unnoticable.
I make no apologies for the way I treat those fish. I wish I had it so good in my own life.

 

[puffygrrl]

I really like Badman's Tropical Fish Message Board. It is a board similar to this one all about freshwater tanks. You should get some good assistance there!

 

[puffygrrl]

Originally posted by TangPrincess
Freshwater tanks are the easiest in the world
I just wanted to disagree. Many people have this opinion, but we all need to remeber everything is relative and like TangPrincess said it all depends on what type of tank you have. I have 4 aquariums, 3 salt and one freshwater (unplanted) and I spend may more time maintaining the fresh than all the salts put together!
I don't think many of us realize how much live rock and sand and plants REALLY help clean the system.
Good luck by the way!

 

[rocky bottom]

Jillian, I have never heard of the 1.gal rule, Ithink you have it turned around it's always been (1.fish per 5 gal ) minimum. my 2cents
GOOD LUCK GOOD FISHIN"

 

[jillian ayers]

Uhhh, that was beaslbob that said that. And the rule for fw is usually, 1" per gallon, whereas it is 1" per 5 gallons for sw.

 

[rocky bottom]

thank you. Iv always keep't the outher way so they can grow big,
like my irridesent sharks 12" an still growing.
"GOOD LUCK GOOD FISHIN"
P.S sorry about the flash spot"

 

[dreeves]

I have always heard of and used a generalized 1 inch per gallon rule for FW fish. And this dates back many years...
As the tank matures one gets a feel as to what their bio-load limitations are.
I kept Angels and Tetras of varying types. My Angels openly bred and the Tetras ate well..

 

[kinkfish]

why is the sky blue? If 711 is open 24hrs why is their locks on the
doors?

 

[dreeves]

I think I am missing the purpose of your post kinkfish...did some of it not come through on my browser?

 

[the claw]

It's one inch per gallon in freshwater systems. Bob, you are still killing me. I have a green water swimming pool in my back yard, do you recommend that I throw some Discus in there to cut down the threat of West Nile virus?

 

[beaslbob]

Originally posted by The Claw
It's one inch per gallon in freshwater systems. Bob, you are still killing me. I have a green water swimming pool in my back yard, do you recommend that I throw some Discus in there to cut down the threat of West Nile virus?
Actually, I am amazed at the tank myself. If you want to swim with discus that is up to you.

 

[the claw]

 

[jillian ayers]

I've got a huge Oscar in a 75 gallon, the most beautiful fish you've ever seen (IMHO).

 

[dacia]

I've always liked the ornamental fantail goldfish. Here is the one that I named Hershey:

 

[dacia]

My small black moor named Tubby: