So my 16" rtc is in my 125 gallon tank, he is the only fish in there besides a Pleco. Lately he has been thrashing around the tank, moving rocks from one side of the tank to the other, and I mean huge rocks, there are no plastic plants, he knocked the heater off the tank and melted the clip, did not eat the suction cups (THANK GOD) he has been just thrashing around and destroying the tank. What is going on? He has light for 8-10 hours a day then it's off. He gets fed all sorts of things, he had 3 large comet goldfish7 days ago and that is the first time in probably 8 months that he has had a live fish. He just ate 3 chicken livers 2 days ago, tank is on 82-84, water is CRYSTAL CLEAR looks like the tank is empty it's so clear. Why does he keep doing this? My heater cord is also melted he tangled it all up do bad. I have it out of the tank and will not be putting it back in. Is he lonely? What is the deal? I love him too much to get rid of him...
All you rtc experts, HELP.....
- Thread starter Hansonc
- Start date
Ok we have many issues going on in this tank.
1. You have a 16" fish in a 18" deep tank.
2. His current diet is not ideal
3. Temps are too high that will make him more active.
4. Heater is unsafe
Solutions:
Get a bigger tank, keep up on bi weekly water changes, since he's big you can feed him 1-2x per week, my recommendation would be pellets and or talapia and shrimp, turn the temp down to 76-78, and lastly you need a new heater, I suggest making a DIY heater guard out of pvc tubing.
More space, better diet and clean water will benefit this situation greatly!
Also what do you have for filtration? Pics?
Hope this helps.
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1. You have a 16" fish in a 18" deep tank.
2. His current diet is not ideal
3. Temps are too high that will make him more active.
4. Heater is unsafe
Solutions:
Get a bigger tank, keep up on bi weekly water changes, since he's big you can feed him 1-2x per week, my recommendation would be pellets and or talapia and shrimp, turn the temp down to 76-78, and lastly you need a new heater, I suggest making a DIY heater guard out of pvc tubing.
More space, better diet and clean water will benefit this situation greatly!
Also what do you have for filtration? Pics?
Hope this helps.
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--3 MORE RACES LEFT! LET'S MAKE IT 5 BACK TO BACK WINS & 3 WDC!* :beer:
Your rtc won't fit in the 125 for much longer. You will have to upgrade or get rid of him. It's simple as that. If you love him then upgrade.
The rtc is probably going crazy because he is cramped. He wants to swim about...not swim 2 feet then stop or barely be able to turn around. They get huge.
The rtc is probably going crazy because he is cramped. He wants to swim about...not swim 2 feet then stop or barely be able to turn around. They get huge.
I'm aware of how large they get, his staple diet is market shrimp, tilapia and smelt. But I just give him something different every now and then to just keep him interested in things. I've been through ll the feeding things with thebiggerthebetter. I have plans for a 12x4-6x4 tank. But I need at least 6 months till I can start the build because I want to be in the house that I will be in for years so I don't have the move and rebuild and stuff to deal with. I don't know much about DIY heaters, I'm a little Leary because I don't want to mess it up and end up harming the rtc. He eats twice a week. So I guess when I get a new one I should keep it on 78? 76-78?
When I turn the lights off he gets more rambunctious. Like a damn 2 year old... But it has been on 84 for about 2 weeks now. It used to be on 80-82, but with the cold snap we had and leaving windows and doors on I turned it up to 84 just to on the safe side.
I really don't want to get rid of him, I have a feeling that may be the best thing for him though... I have 2- 5" rtcs and 1 5" hybrid in a 20g long, I have been looking at a 55g just to get them a little bigger to go in the 125. But, I may find someone with a pond for my rtc, move the little ones to my 125 and be done. Till they get big.... Lol
Lower temps will make him less active. 75 is fine.
Also look into a kiddie pool or something you can set up temporarily! A trip to the lhs may be a good idea! Even a pond liner and a quick DIY wood frame lined with plywood, throw the liner in it and your good.
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--2 MORE RACES LEFT! SEE YOU IN TEXAS BOYS! LET'S MAKE IT 3 BACK TO BACK WDC!* :beer:
Also look into a kiddie pool or something you can set up temporarily! A trip to the lhs may be a good idea! Even a pond liner and a quick DIY wood frame lined with plywood, throw the liner in it and your good.
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--2 MORE RACES LEFT! SEE YOU IN TEXAS BOYS! LET'S MAKE IT 3 BACK TO BACK WDC!* :beer: