crenier
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Ok so I've own Bettas most of my life but just recently aquired a 15 gal aquarium with one Fancy Goldfish that is about 4 years old. He was found by the marines that first came into the city and has had a couple homes here on base with various people. Now I have come to be Zeus' care taker (not even sure how to tell if it is a he/she). I didn't realize there was so much to know about aquariums until today when I started researching. So here are my questions:
1) How full should I fill the tank? The tank has an Emperor 400 Bio-wheel filter system. Should the water be sitting below the water runoff or should the water be running directly back into the water?
2) I had rinsed off some rocks yesterday from outside and put into aquarium but now read that I should do a vinegar test first. I've noticed today that the fish is going to the top of the water and "piping" as I've learned it to be called. Should I remove the rocks and do a test now? What other action can I take at this moment to help him get more O2 if that is the problem?
3) When I got him the tank smelled fishy and the filters were CAKED in gunk. We had to remove 75% of the water to transport him and then once we got everything put back together the tank was very clear. We use bottled water to fill his tank as there is chlorine/bleach in the water that they put into the restrooms and what not. The bottled water is stripped of everything. Now after putting rocks in it looks a lil murky again?
4) Zeus is in an office that is manned 24 hours a day, meaning the light is always on. Do I need to get a dark cover for the aquarium, like a dark sheet or blanket, to cover up for a certain amount of darkness time? My coworker said he has had aquariums and this was the case?
5) I've order a Master Liquid Test set, Underwater Bubble River Small, Whisper Air Pumps Model 20, 12 various plastic plants, new filters (both ready-to-use and the one that i have to build up using a media container), new bio-wheel, Hagen Thermometers Floating Glass w/Suction Cup, Acrylic Safe Mag-Float® Small, syphon/gravel cleaner, Brush Kit Impeller Brush. All were ordered from Dr Foster and Smith website except the plants and master test set. Is there anything else I should get?
I got all this because when I got the fish he had 4 large rocks and 2 marbles in the tank and that is it. This stuff will probably not arrive for at least a week.
Any advice and assistance would be GREATLY appreciated. Zeus has history and I'd like to be able to keep him around for awhile longer. I read that they can live up to 50 years if taken care of appropriately and he is just beautiful!
1) How full should I fill the tank? The tank has an Emperor 400 Bio-wheel filter system. Should the water be sitting below the water runoff or should the water be running directly back into the water?
2) I had rinsed off some rocks yesterday from outside and put into aquarium but now read that I should do a vinegar test first. I've noticed today that the fish is going to the top of the water and "piping" as I've learned it to be called. Should I remove the rocks and do a test now? What other action can I take at this moment to help him get more O2 if that is the problem?
3) When I got him the tank smelled fishy and the filters were CAKED in gunk. We had to remove 75% of the water to transport him and then once we got everything put back together the tank was very clear. We use bottled water to fill his tank as there is chlorine/bleach in the water that they put into the restrooms and what not. The bottled water is stripped of everything. Now after putting rocks in it looks a lil murky again?
4) Zeus is in an office that is manned 24 hours a day, meaning the light is always on. Do I need to get a dark cover for the aquarium, like a dark sheet or blanket, to cover up for a certain amount of darkness time? My coworker said he has had aquariums and this was the case?
5) I've order a Master Liquid Test set, Underwater Bubble River Small, Whisper Air Pumps Model 20, 12 various plastic plants, new filters (both ready-to-use and the one that i have to build up using a media container), new bio-wheel, Hagen Thermometers Floating Glass w/Suction Cup, Acrylic Safe Mag-Float® Small, syphon/gravel cleaner, Brush Kit Impeller Brush. All were ordered from Dr Foster and Smith website except the plants and master test set. Is there anything else I should get?
I got all this because when I got the fish he had 4 large rocks and 2 marbles in the tank and that is it. This stuff will probably not arrive for at least a week.
Any advice and assistance would be GREATLY appreciated. Zeus has history and I'd like to be able to keep him around for awhile longer. I read that they can live up to 50 years if taken care of appropriately and he is just beautiful!
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