Page 1 of 2

Fish help

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:56 pm
by ellman605
Well, you all remember my old 10 gallon fish tank i used for the turtles, right?

Well, i plan on using that for a new fish tank, and i wanna know if i should spend 10 dollars more to get a new 10 gallon tank? i wanna just clean it and use it, but i dont know if it would get rid of any turtle stuff that might be inside to harm the fish....so....can i just clean my tank (and if so, how?) and use it for fish? or forge out the $10 and get a new tank?

oh and also, i forgot to put about the filter, should i use my 5-15 filter i used to use with my turtles? or get a $4.19 undergravel filter?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:11 pm
by jenaero
I can't advise you on filters so I'll handle the tank. Give it a good cleaning with vinegar and water. Make sure you rinse well (twice for good measure). I'd also let it sit for a day or so after. Just remember, when you fill'er up, you need to let it cycle or the fish will be belly-up in no time.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:19 pm
by ellman605
Ok, so i got the vinegar, so how do i clean it, can you give me some step by step instructions please? i know i should demanding, i just love fish and wanna save some money :D

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:30 pm
by jenaero
Here's how I clean my turt tanks. I use 1 part vinegar to 5 parts warm water (some people will say use more water than that). If there are any hard water stains/mineral deposits, they can be easily (but carefully) removed with a razorblade. I just use a dishcloth to wipe away any visible grunge and then rinse and rinse and rinse.

but don't turn around and ask me how to take care of fish...I can't keep them alive no matter what I do :shock:

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:58 pm
by cam722
Well the 10 gallon tank will be fine to put fish in.. I used my old 20L for fish .. just cleaned it out well with baking soda and vinegar. The filter should be just fine, fish don't make near the waste that turtles do :) Undergravel filters can be a total pain, I'd stick with the over the side :)

So what kind of fish are you going to keep? And jen I'm with you .. I used to have a heck of a time keeping fish alive until I got my cichlids.. they are so easy to care for and very very forgiving of water quality :)

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:02 pm
by ellman605
update: tank has a crack in the back, so i'm going to have to get a new one, so luckily i dont have to worry about any nasty turtle stuff :lol:

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:07 pm
by ellman605
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... 4%3A202101

look in the bowl, why do they have 3 bettas in the same bowl? stupid people...

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:10 pm
by sonyj
Umm... those aren't bettas, I don't think. They look like fancy Goldfish to me. :)

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:16 pm
by cam722
Yep they are goldfish :) I had those long time ago for the kids. They grow rather large too, just so you know.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:40 pm
by daredevilgirl013
Yep those are goldfish, not bettas.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:59 pm
by ellman605
well, do you guys know any good tennants of a 10 gallon tank? and how many i should have?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:46 pm
by jenaero
The rule is 1 gallon per inch. I'd say, for a 10 gallon, because of decorations and such, a max of 4 medium sized goldfish. I kept 3 goldfish and a small black moore in a 10gal.

Don't forget to buy the water testing kits. Also, an air stone is really important. They need oxygen flowing thru the water.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:11 pm
by buffyfan9005
I think black moors and fancy goldfish are the best fish pets. I've got a black moor/goldfish breed named Captain Astro and a calico goldfish named Boq. They're currently in a ten gallon tank. I've had the Captain near two years and Boq around a year. They're happy. I feed them twice a day and do monthly partial water changes. They're easy to take care of.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:27 pm
by ellman605
i think what i'm going to do, since i got my $50 50 gallon aquarium on craigslist, is wait for a good deal on a 20 gallon...more space, cause i just freed up my dresser, and i have...29in wide x 15.5in deep space to fill... so yeah, gonna wait for an aquarium to fill that space...i'm sure somethign will pop up :D

PostPosted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:22 pm
by daredevilgirl013
A female betta would be good in your tank, they get along with other fish as they are not as tempermental as the males. As for other fish, a pleco is good as it will help with the alge, but I don't suggest goldfish..too messy. Unless you just got one.