MartinBlank
Aquarium Advice Freak
I am a novice at this but have done a fair bit of research.
I have a 10 gallon tank + filter + heater. Currently home to 6 white clouds. They appear to be doing well (they are eating etc) but I do have a couple (or several) questions.
1a. They recently seem to be a bit less active. They kinda hover down in the back of the tank near the bottom. When they were first introduced (3 at a time) they swam all over the place but now only occasionally do they wander around the rest of the tank. Any ideas as to why this might be? With the coming of spring it has been getting warmer in the house, and we haven't switched on the AC yet, so it is possible the water has warmed up a bit. When we first set up the tank I would say the water temp was 74 or so, and now it might be reaching 76. Could two degrees make that much difference? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? I have tested for Ammonia and Nitrates and they have consistently come back in good ranges.
1b. Also related to temperature. If you recommend I cool off the tank, I currently have a hood with fluorescent lights built in and then a small door at the front (so when it is lifted I would say about 40%-50% of the top of the tank is exposed to the air). I was thinking of leaving that door open to attempt to cool it off. Do I need to worry about jumpers (assuming they become their former more active selves of course)? I have also heard running a desk fan across the open tank top to help cool it, but would prefer to avoid a big desk fan near the tank. Are there any mini-clip on types out there?
2. Feeding. So far I have stuck completely to flakes. What would you recommend I feed the white clouds to try and really bring out their colors (and offer from variety). Dried brine shrimp I have seen mentioned. Any live items recommended?
3. Tankmates? I have searched quite a bit about possible tank mates for the white clouds. And I have seen information that seems to go all over the map. Being a small tank I realize I would be looking for a solitary fish or one that would be content in very small schools... some things I have read:
a. Single Male Betta: I have read that these will work well with a white cloud, and others that have said that they won't mix well at all. Also there is a temperature difference to be considered, since Bettas would prefer slightly warmer water right?
b. Cory Catfish: one of the most common things I have seen, but given their size I don't think getting more than 3 small cory catfish is a good idea. I read a couple places that 3 is enough, while others say at least 6. And the preferred temp ranges for the Corys I have researched seem to be much warmer than what is recommended for White Clouds.
So any advice on tankmates? Or should I stick to white clouds and maybe add 2 or 3 more? Keys here would be hardy, easy to take care of fish...
I am probably forgetting some questions...
thanks very much for your time...
I have a 10 gallon tank + filter + heater. Currently home to 6 white clouds. They appear to be doing well (they are eating etc) but I do have a couple (or several) questions.
1a. They recently seem to be a bit less active. They kinda hover down in the back of the tank near the bottom. When they were first introduced (3 at a time) they swam all over the place but now only occasionally do they wander around the rest of the tank. Any ideas as to why this might be? With the coming of spring it has been getting warmer in the house, and we haven't switched on the AC yet, so it is possible the water has warmed up a bit. When we first set up the tank I would say the water temp was 74 or so, and now it might be reaching 76. Could two degrees make that much difference? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? I have tested for Ammonia and Nitrates and they have consistently come back in good ranges.
1b. Also related to temperature. If you recommend I cool off the tank, I currently have a hood with fluorescent lights built in and then a small door at the front (so when it is lifted I would say about 40%-50% of the top of the tank is exposed to the air). I was thinking of leaving that door open to attempt to cool it off. Do I need to worry about jumpers (assuming they become their former more active selves of course)? I have also heard running a desk fan across the open tank top to help cool it, but would prefer to avoid a big desk fan near the tank. Are there any mini-clip on types out there?
2. Feeding. So far I have stuck completely to flakes. What would you recommend I feed the white clouds to try and really bring out their colors (and offer from variety). Dried brine shrimp I have seen mentioned. Any live items recommended?
3. Tankmates? I have searched quite a bit about possible tank mates for the white clouds. And I have seen information that seems to go all over the map. Being a small tank I realize I would be looking for a solitary fish or one that would be content in very small schools... some things I have read:
a. Single Male Betta: I have read that these will work well with a white cloud, and others that have said that they won't mix well at all. Also there is a temperature difference to be considered, since Bettas would prefer slightly warmer water right?
b. Cory Catfish: one of the most common things I have seen, but given their size I don't think getting more than 3 small cory catfish is a good idea. I read a couple places that 3 is enough, while others say at least 6. And the preferred temp ranges for the Corys I have researched seem to be much warmer than what is recommended for White Clouds.
So any advice on tankmates? Or should I stick to white clouds and maybe add 2 or 3 more? Keys here would be hardy, easy to take care of fish...
I am probably forgetting some questions...
thanks very much for your time...