General questions from a worrywart

[bahamut89]

Hi

I've had fish for about 2 years now but I've had a couple of fishes die over the years. I'm quite disciplined with water changes, filter changes and testing with the API Masterkit etc. But I have a few questions. Some of them are pretty silly

My signature has the details on what tank I have and what fish.

- I read that we need to feed fish with a variety. So I have some tubifex works, general flakes and sinking vegetable pellets. Do i feed one type of food per day or do I mix it all together and feed the variety every day?

- My heater is set to maximum (30C/86F). I put a thermometer in the far side of the tank and its reading (22/71.5). I'm thinking this might be too cold for the fellas. Shall I get a new heater and crank it up highher so that the furthest end of the tank will be about 28C?

- If the fish seem ok, is there any reason to add tonic salt to the water? I heard that this is beneficial to fish health? I'm just a bit nervous about adding stuff to the water?

- This is a really stupid question. I have a few small figurine toys from games and science fiction. Can i put these in the tank or is that a really BAD idea lol

Thank you all

 

[Leeatl]

Sounds like your heater is too small or just junk . Get a larger heater like an Ehiem Jager and a controller if it is in the budget . Search online for heater selection charts to get the proper size .
As far as the toys , I wouldn't just because who knows what paint or whatever are on them . I have "Aquarium safe" decorations that have lost all the colors so it will come off over time .
I don't use salt because I have read more don't than do articles .
And lastly I feed something different everyday , about 3 different foods , alternating daily .

 

[bahamut89]

Thank you. Yeah the decorations are probably a bad idea. I got a better heater and it's much better now. I had a fish death a while back (a gourami). I wonder if the temperature drop killed it because I couldn't find any reason why it died. All the other fish ok and are much more active now.

Thanks for the help


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