A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS

[triflinmoe]

1 What can I use to remove calcium deposits from my tank?


2 I've been feeding my fish bloodworms and feeders their entire life...what other foods can I implement in their diet?....I've tried pellets but they wont eat them...any suggestions?


3 Whats with the digging?....why do the chilids do that?....do they need to dig?....I just purchased a 90 gal. and I get tired of rearranging the gravel....can I put larger rocks in the tank so they cant dig?

thanks in advance...............

 

[Dominuslive]

Let your fish go hungry a few days, then add a couple pellets, if they eat them good, if not, wait till the next day, do this for up to one week, possibly 2 depending on the fish. It also helps to turn up the temperature to create a better food drive. 82-84 should work.

They dig for territory, food, spawning sites. Depends on species, Severums don't dig, neither do Discus, Angels, or Festivums. Mostly substrate spawning species do. Whoever has the best depression gets the best mate.

White vinegar is good at removing hardwater deposits, just keep it out of the tank, if you drop a couple drips into the tank it would be a ok, but try to keep it out.

 

[triflinmoe]

I appreciate the response............BUT, The deposits are on the INSIDE of the tank....how can i not get vinegar in the tank, if im cleaning the INSIDE of the glass?(not trying to be a
smart ass)....maybe clean the spots, and do the best i can to get all the vinegar out?

 

[carpediem]

I appreciate the response............BUT, The deposits are on the INSIDE of the tank....how can i not get vinegar in the tank, if im cleaning the INSIDE of the glass?(not trying to be a
smart ass)....maybe clean the spots, and do the best i can to get all the vinegar out?

You don't mention what kind of fish you're trying to feed the pellets to. If they're a species that normally takes to pellet food then be patient. They'll eat it once they get hungry enough.

You could try a razor blade on the inside of the tank to remove the deposits. I wouldn't do this with an acrylic tank but I've done it many times with glass tanks. You just have to be careful not to scratch the glass.

Many species dig for the reasons Dominuslive mentioned. It's natural behavior. Try setting up the tank to accomodate the digging. Put lots of rock work in the tank and partially bury big rocks and pots so they have something to dig around. It makes it look more natural when they move the material around. Experiment a little...

 

[Gourami Swami]

They dig for territory, food, spawning sites. Depends on species, Severums don't dig.

Actually, yes they do. But thats besides the point.

There are many reasons they dig, but i think that above all of them is that its fun. My cichlids seem o enjoy doing it. I had a 7" red severum thal piled up ALL of the gravel on the left side of the tank, and it looked real ugly, but everytime I put it back he got mad wouldnt eat, spending all his time rearranging the gravel to his liking. So it stayed on the left

Dont worry about the digging, im pretty sure they are just eeping themselves occupied. As for the food, like the others have said, no food for a couple days at least, I would do three, then drop in some good quality pellets. keep this up untill they eat, though I wouldnt do it for more than a couple weeks.