Help? New tank, new fish, bleh..

[ChefKitty]

I've never done this before, so pleeease bear with me.
I know I have a ways to go before my tank is established as far as pH, temp, etc. I already know I rushed into this, but I would like some help.
For now, I have a 5.5 gal tank, with a small-ish filter (the actual filter thing is about 2" x 4").
The water conditioner I am using is Nutrafin Aqua Plus tap water conditioner. I've got gravel on the bottom of the tank, and a live plant and a fake plant.
I already know I'll need to get a couple hiding spots, as well as a heater.
What I'd like to know:
1) What heater should I get?
2) Should I get an air bubbler thing?
3) What would an appropriate filter be?
4) I have an albino chocolate pleco, from petsmart, what would the L number be for that? And what is its diet?
5) The other one is a rubber nose (or rubber mouth?) pleco, also from petsmart, does it have the same diet?
6) I have a common pleco, he has been laying on his side today, and his back, and normal face down, but floating on the surface, but he also will swim around and toss around in the current from the filter- but he seems unable to hold himself at the bottom or suck onto anything. Is he dying?

 

[abarilot]

Is it a 5.5 gallon or a 55 gallon? Cuz if it is a 5.5g tank you are not going to be be able to keep those plecos in that tank. I'm assuming it is 55g though to answer your questions:

1. Jager heater
2. You shouldnt need one of those
3. Depends on your budget. I use ehiem filters but I know fluval and others are good as well
4-5. here is site for all the L#s and info for plecos you should need http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/numbers.php?mode=l&thumbs=16
For feeding I'd would recommend algae waffers and cut zucchine. There is also a sticky above with feeding recommedations
6. Sadly I do believe he is dying. In the future I'd try to find a lfs (local fish store) instead of petsmart cuz the employees should be more knowledgeable.

In the future do try and research your fish you get. It'll make you more knowledgeable about the fish and they'll have a better chance of surviving!

 

[ChefKitty]

One thing in particular that confuses me is the tank size--
What is the disadvantage of a 5.5 gallon tank? I wonder because this is about the size I see them keeping the fish in at petsmart/petco.

 

[wingate2581]

One thing in particular that confuses me is the tank size--
What is the disadvantage of a 5.5 gallon tank? I wonder because this is about the size I see them keeping the fish in at petsmart/petco.

Petsmart is only housing juvenile fish long enough for you to buy them. You are keeping the fish for it's whole life. For example, your common pleco should grow well over 18" in the proper environment. a 55 is even too small for all of your plecos in the long run(or even a single adult common for that matter). Plecos are also massive waste producers and you wont be able to keep the water quality up in a small tank.

 

[abarilot]

Since you do have a 5.5g tank I would take back all three plecos cuz they'll all die if you keep them in there. Once you return them look for some fish that can actually live in the tank for life. Here is brief list of the top of my head of fish that can: Bettas, guppys, some species of tetras, and maybe even a drawf gourami or something. But for your fishes sake please research before you buy! Good luck!

 

[TheRealMacDaddy]

Since you do have a 5.5g tank I would take back all three plecos cuz they'll all die if you keep them in there. Once you return them look for some fish that can actually live in the tank for life. Here is brief list of the top of my head of fish that can: Bettas, guppys, some species of tetras, and maybe even a drawf gourami or something. But for your fishes sake please research before you buy! Good luck!

I concur fully!

 

[D-WALT]

plz take them back or get a larger tank. dont torture them!

 

[ChefKitty]

Okay so update:
I got test strips, and various things to help pH etc.
Got a new filter
Got a heater

And now there are only two plecos (the albino chocolate and rubber lip) and one tetra.
They still have a live plant and a fake plant, and I got them a piece of driftwood that should easily accomodate both of them for the time being. Driftwood is soaking now..
Does someone want to tell me how long I should be soaking the wood?
And is it bad if the rubber lip is hanging out right next to the heater? The heater is like a black rubber rectangular flap lookin' thing.. and he keeps wedging himself between the heater and the glass.

 

[wingate2581]

Okay so update:
I got test strips, and various things to help pH etc.
Got a new filter
Got a heater

And now there are only two plecos (the albino chocolate and rubber lip) and one tetra.
They still have a live plant and a fake plant, and I got them a piece of driftwood that should easily accomodate both of them for the time being. Driftwood is soaking now..
Does someone want to tell me how long I should be soaking the wood?
And is it bad if the rubber lip is hanging out right next to the heater? The heater is like a black rubber rectangular flap lookin' thing.. and he keeps wedging himself between the heater and the glass.

I still suggest taking back at least the albino chocolate pleco for now. The waste will lead to disaster very quickly in that small of a tank. To be perfectly honest, by all rights the rubberlip will be too much for that tank also just by himself due to the bio load. If the wood will fit into a 5.5 gal tank I would boil it a few times and call it good. He is wedging himself in any hiding spot he can find. Also the lack of space does'nt give them room to get away from eachother easily and could be adding stress to the fish. Fish can be burned by heaters. Do you have tests for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates? If the tank was'nt cycled properly before the additions of the plecos I would highly recommend taking them back to avoid huge ammonia spikes and fish deaths until the tank is cycled.

 

[sal123]

the plecos should not be in a 5.5 gallon tank way way way way to small for them.. take them back