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02-21-2013, 09:45 PM
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#1
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Middle Tennessee
Posts: 12
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Another New Member
Hi!
We had an aquarium for about 10 years when the kids were young. The "baby" is now 21 and at college. I was cleaning out the attic last week and came across our old aquarium and decided to set it up again. It's a 20 gallon tank in good repair. The pump, heater, and hood light were all too old to salvage, so I went last weekend to buy new and improved models. I cleaned out the tank with vinegar. Bought some new gravel and reread the fish book. The aquarium has been going for over 48 hours--water conditioned, temperature and pH good. I bought some water plants this time (before we only had plastic)--Java fern, a moss ball, needle leaf ludwigia, and water wisteria. Tonight I bought the first fish: a pleco, an algae eater, a sunburst platy, a red wag platy, a black molly, and a cremesicle lyretail molly. Everyone is fed and getting used to their new surroundings. The cat is fascinated by this new addition to his den. I imagine he and I will spend many relaxing hours watching our fishies. I would love to have a black lyretail molly, but I can't find anyone locally who sells them. (We live in Murfreesboro, TN.) I may add a swordtail or some neon tetras, but this is about it. All of the fish are small right now--even the pleco, although our last one lived for 10 years and was about a foot long. Hubby asked why no black moor or red tailed shark, so we may be setting up a second tank eventually.
Anyway, I'm a little rusty at owning fish, so I may be asking questions of the group. Glad to be here!
Lynn
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02-22-2013, 12:57 AM
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#3
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Aquarium Advice Addict
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 14,818
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Welcome to the forum
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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
"When creating an aqua scape, strive for the beauty of imperfection, as its art and there is no wrong or right, it's left open for interpretation" James Findley
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02-22-2013, 09:47 AM
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#4
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Look It Up


Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 7,053
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Hi and welcome! You may want to take a look at that link above. The tank hasn't cycled yet and theres' a good number of fish in there for an uncyled tank, which means toxins are going to rise quickly. What kind of pleco? Commons can grow to 1-2 feet. Some algae eaters grow rather large as well and can become destructive/aggressive as they mature. Ask more questions if we can help!
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02-23-2013, 07:32 AM
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#5
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Aquarium Advice Activist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Downtown Nashville, TN
Posts: 152
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Hey! Go to Aquatic Critter on Nolensville pike for EVERYTHING. But Animal CIty in the boro also has good fish (and used to even have a walaby lol). My ex just took our yellow lab cichlids there because he moved  But feel free to ask with questions--read about the cycling process--some of your fish might die and you should understand why. Aquatic Critter can also order fish if you want one you cant find.
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20 gal planted-1 Dwarf Puffer, 1 South American Puffer, 2 Red Eye Tetras, 2 Serpae Tetras, 2 Siamese Algae Eaters, and some random ghost shrimp meant as food. Have 2 ten gallons empty so help me decide (maybe Betta and ADF and a shell dwelling Cichlid tank. Open to suggestions) Visit my T-shirt store https://www.moronsarefunny.spreadshirt.com
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02-23-2013, 09:14 AM
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#6
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Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Middle Tennessee
Posts: 12
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Thanks for the Advice!
Hello and thanksa for the warm welcome!
I didn't know about cycling and the "what do I do now" article was helpful. Guess I will get a test kit and roll up my sleeves to do some water changing for the next month. So far, the 6 fish are doing fine. I know the pleco (standard pleco?) and the algae eater will get big--really big. That's why I think we will be adding a second tank eventually. (I will cycle it first!)
I love the folks at Animal City. (I remember the wallaby) and they have been helpful. I may check out Petco and Pet Smart, too. And it looks like I will try a trip to Nashville, as well. I really would like a black lyretail molly or two--they are my favorite fish. But, first things first, I need to start cycling my tank. (I guess there'll be some changes made--in more ways than one! Ha ha!)
Anyway, thanks again!
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02-25-2013, 02:53 AM
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#7
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Aquarium Advice Activist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Downtown Nashville, TN
Posts: 152
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Petco and Petsmart are ok but not really knowledgable people. Aquatic Critter has people that have worked there for 20 years. Even have aligators on the reptile side. I remember another pet store in the boro it was near panera and old navy and walmart but I forgot the name, I think it went out of business. Anyway glad to see another fish keeper in the area!! I love it.
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20 gal planted-1 Dwarf Puffer, 1 South American Puffer, 2 Red Eye Tetras, 2 Serpae Tetras, 2 Siamese Algae Eaters, and some random ghost shrimp meant as food. Have 2 ten gallons empty so help me decide (maybe Betta and ADF and a shell dwelling Cichlid tank. Open to suggestions) Visit my T-shirt store https://www.moronsarefunny.spreadshirt.com
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