abw0004
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Hello all,
I am brand new to this forum and having an aquarium in general. My family has had fish before but this is my first time having personal fish.
As a graduation/Christmas present I was given a Fluval Accent 25 gallon tank. I thought this would be a good starter tank to get to know the ropes before I do bigger tanks in my future. It came with 150 watt pre-set heater, LED light system, uses bio beads and filter cartridges, etc. Here is a link to look at it: Accent | Lifestyle Home Aquariums | Fluval.
I have since set up the tank and put in gravel, put in 9 live plants (excluding two moss balls), driftwood and a fake tree root thing that is hallow inside for hiding, ect. The tank has been cycling for a little over two weeks now. The water has discolored due to the driftwood but it is not terrible. I first put in 6 Neon Tetras for a couple days as test fish and one died I think due to it being sick. I also did a 50% water change to help with the discolored water and boiled the driftwood. Today the other 5 are perfectly fine.
I couple days later I added a Clown Pleco, two guppies, and two Boesemani Rainbows. I came to regret that as three days later the rainbows died one day apart. Every other day for about two weeks I have taken water samples in to make sure nothing was wrong with the water to try to curb disaster in the tank. The readings have been fine, even the days they died, with the ammonia has been present but "safe." The temperature of the water has always been fine. The store employees were confused on why they died because the readings were normal and thought maybe because the rainbows were in their tank for six months, changing them to a new tank may have been too much.
Three days ago, I went and bought 4 Boesemani Rainbows, two guppies, and two snails. I know the rainbows need at least 30 gallons I know. I just love the rainbows so much. I have been researching a lot about everything too so I can learn about everything. The tank is a long tank so they have room to swim. All of the fish are fine and swimming except for one rainbow that won't eat currently. Why won't he eat? He is also staying in one place for a good period of time. I have also been feeding them Omega One flakes.
My other question is, the Fluval tank says you only need to do 30% water changes every month along with the filter cartridges due to the great filtration system. That is what they brag about so much. With as many fish that I do have, do I need to do it every week like I see posted everywhere or should I follow what Fluval is telling me? I want to be a good parent to these fish. Thank you!
Update: I had the water tested again today and the ammonia was slightly higher but still okay so I bought "Microbe-Lift" (Special Blend?) and began adding that today. That was suggested for me to do.
I am brand new to this forum and having an aquarium in general. My family has had fish before but this is my first time having personal fish.
As a graduation/Christmas present I was given a Fluval Accent 25 gallon tank. I thought this would be a good starter tank to get to know the ropes before I do bigger tanks in my future. It came with 150 watt pre-set heater, LED light system, uses bio beads and filter cartridges, etc. Here is a link to look at it: Accent | Lifestyle Home Aquariums | Fluval.
I have since set up the tank and put in gravel, put in 9 live plants (excluding two moss balls), driftwood and a fake tree root thing that is hallow inside for hiding, ect. The tank has been cycling for a little over two weeks now. The water has discolored due to the driftwood but it is not terrible. I first put in 6 Neon Tetras for a couple days as test fish and one died I think due to it being sick. I also did a 50% water change to help with the discolored water and boiled the driftwood. Today the other 5 are perfectly fine.
I couple days later I added a Clown Pleco, two guppies, and two Boesemani Rainbows. I came to regret that as three days later the rainbows died one day apart. Every other day for about two weeks I have taken water samples in to make sure nothing was wrong with the water to try to curb disaster in the tank. The readings have been fine, even the days they died, with the ammonia has been present but "safe." The temperature of the water has always been fine. The store employees were confused on why they died because the readings were normal and thought maybe because the rainbows were in their tank for six months, changing them to a new tank may have been too much.
Three days ago, I went and bought 4 Boesemani Rainbows, two guppies, and two snails. I know the rainbows need at least 30 gallons I know. I just love the rainbows so much. I have been researching a lot about everything too so I can learn about everything. The tank is a long tank so they have room to swim. All of the fish are fine and swimming except for one rainbow that won't eat currently. Why won't he eat? He is also staying in one place for a good period of time. I have also been feeding them Omega One flakes.
My other question is, the Fluval tank says you only need to do 30% water changes every month along with the filter cartridges due to the great filtration system. That is what they brag about so much. With as many fish that I do have, do I need to do it every week like I see posted everywhere or should I follow what Fluval is telling me? I want to be a good parent to these fish. Thank you!
Update: I had the water tested again today and the ammonia was slightly higher but still okay so I bought "Microbe-Lift" (Special Blend?) and began adding that today. That was suggested for me to do.
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