New arrivals not doing well - assistance appreciated.
- Thread starter lilacamy931
- Start date
Hi coryloach. Can you please elaborate on his daily water change thing. I am fairly new to getting back into the hobby. I am under the impression that this frequent water change will mess up the cycle of the tank. Will this be applicable to a newer tank still trying to establish itself or is this more for a tank that is already well established.
Because beneficial bacteria live on surfaces as biofilm, frequent water changes are really not a problem, they will not be removed with them. Beneficial bacteria are "not" planktonic. In a new un-cycled tank, there will be excess of toxic ammonia even with lots of water changes.
Hi coryloach. Can you please elaborate on his daily water change thing. I am fairly new to getting back into the hobby. I am under the impression that this frequent water change will mess up the cycle of the tank. Will this be applicable to a newer tank still trying to establish itself or is this more for a tank that is already well established.
thank you duanes
Let's assume that by saying "non-established", your tank is actually not cycled. You have fish in it already, Then water changes are even more important if your intention is to keep your fish alive. Ammonia does not kill fish outright. Ammonia is a disease trigger and even if fish live through while one "cycles their tank", they can/will develop diseases in the months to come if the ammonia was let out of control. By doing those water changes you're preventing that. The cycle will not suffer. A tank never seizes to produce ammonia 24/7. Unless you're doing water changes every minute, every hour, you can't stalll a cycle.
Then again, set your priorities straight. Isn't keeping fish alive and healthy what you're trying to do? Then at times excessive/unusual measures are required to do so. Not everything is easy and straight forward when it comes to living beings.
An update to the thread overall. I am happy to say the puffs appear to be doing well.
They have eaten snails and garlic dosed prawn and have nicely rounded bellies.
They are both fanning their tails more which have always seen as a good sign in puffs, exploring their surroundings and markings are starting to come out vividly.
Tank has remained 0ppm on ammonia/nitrites and under 20ppm nitrates. I have done 30% water changes each day so far to maintain optimum especially with messy foods in water (I've been spot feeding with tongs, allowing them a window to eat and if not trying again later rather than leave the food to fester). Left them some small tadpole live snails to hunt while not there.
Puff Watch is the game for the next couple of weeks to watch for any signs of stress/deterioration etc. Thanks for the help and will keep posted if any changes
They have eaten snails and garlic dosed prawn and have nicely rounded bellies.
They are both fanning their tails more which have always seen as a good sign in puffs, exploring their surroundings and markings are starting to come out vividly.
Tank has remained 0ppm on ammonia/nitrites and under 20ppm nitrates. I have done 30% water changes each day so far to maintain optimum especially with messy foods in water (I've been spot feeding with tongs, allowing them a window to eat and if not trying again later rather than leave the food to fester). Left them some small tadpole live snails to hunt while not there.
Puff Watch is the game for the next couple of weeks to watch for any signs of stress/deterioration etc. Thanks for the help and will keep posted if any changes
Awesome. Thank you for the advice. I have been eager to do some water changes but was hesitant due to information I received from (well meaning pet store employees) others. I have only been able to find mediocre basic info on the cycle of the tank.
By the way, I am interested and wondering how the puffers are doing? Also are these puffers brackish water fish? I know most are and wondering if that was a factor in their health being unstable?
Good to hear they are doing well, what do you mean by garlic dosed? Is that a typical thing for puffers, or aquarium fish in general? I'm sorry for my ignorance, I have been out of the hobby for almost 15 years.An update to the thread overall. I am happy to say the puffs appear to be doing well.
They have eaten snails and garlic dosed prawn and have nicely rounded bellies.
They are both fanning their tails more which have always seen as a good sign in puffs, exploring their surroundings and markings are starting to come out vividly.
Tank has remained 0ppm on ammonia/nitrites and under 20ppm nitrates. I have done 30% water changes each day so far to maintain optimum especially with messy foods in water (I've been spot feeding with tongs, allowing them a window to eat and if not trying again later rather than leave the food to fester). Left them some small tadpole live snails to hunt while not there.
Puff Watch is the game for the next couple of weeks to watch for any signs of stress/deterioration etc. Thanks for the help and will keep posted if any changes
Matteus
- they seem to be doing well! Once we get through the first week, I will be much more hopefull Glad this thread has helped on cycling, as whilst I understood it, some elements still find really confusing. You'll actually find there are far more freshwater puffs then brackish, these little ones are freshwater.Ah garlic dosing - I've had pure garlic juice to float the prawn and any frozen/dead foods in. It helps boost their immune system but also in case of finnicky eaters can make the food a bit more irresistible to them. Generally not had too much issue with puffs eating but the garlic has definitely brought the stubborn puff around. I've only ever used it on puffs not heard or tried for tropical fish in general. Good for meaty eaters.
