"Jack" - The JD Growth Progress Thread

[JessAlba452]

Ohh okay, I will change from water changes every 2-weeks to one every week. Should this include gravel cleaning? Or just removing water and a refill?

mark377 - As for the 50% water change per week, is it due to having fresh clean water or that JD makes a lot of waste?

I've read that the fresher the water, the faster they can grow. Is there such thing as too frequent water changes?

As of now I have the medium sized Hikari pellets which came in a large green bag from the LFS I purchased him from.

The reason why I switch from pellets to flakes is that he seems to love the flakes, and the pellet particles get moldy after a few days sitting in the tank. He's such a messy eater lol.

I will look into some frozen brine shrimp. I heard that they also will eat bugs if you put them in there?

 

[JessAlba452]

when are you planning on getting the 55 ?

I plan on the 55Gal within a month or 2 months from now. I will have to look up on how to cycle the new tank before placing him into his new home.

 

[Gruff Master]

Water changes should always include gravel cleaning. If you don't clean the gravel as you change the water, the newly-added fresh water will just stir up all of that uneaten food and waste and ruin the clean water. I believe that the vast majority of people on this forum, including myself, do weekly water changes of 50% or more. It's one of the best ways to maintain a clean and healthy tank and promote growth in cichlids.

 

[JessAlba452]

Great reply! Thank you very much Gruff Master. I was afraid that if I changed it too frequently or too much at a time that it may be harmful to the fish.

In my introduction thread I was informed that sometimes while doing water changes that if the pH drops or rises suddenly that could be bad for the fish. This was something I didn't really know much about prior

I was recommended instead of using the API pH7.0 to instead use, Prime by Seachem. Hopefully this will help in keeping him healthy!

Here is a video taken of his first month...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2FhmAb_7fg

Sometimes he can be creepy lol he loves to stare at you and he is a constant eater. He always swims at the corner of the tank to be fed and I am afraid of over feeding him.

As of now I do 2 pinches of large flakes and then feed him pellets about 4-6 pieces once to twice a day. Yet he's still hungry or at least acts that way. I just don't want to over feed him as I've read it can lead to dropsy/swim bladder infections.

How much does everyone feed their cichlids?

 

[Sab_Fan]

hi again . . . keep in mind, if there are pellets getting moldy on the bottom of the tank, that means two things:

1) you do need to vaccuum the gravel every water change
2) you are probably feeding him too much

I agree that regular water changes are a great way to promote growth - - it also helps encourage pairs to breed - - but whether to do 30%, 50% or more is really up to you . . . as long as you keep the water clean and conditions are stable, you are doing fine

if you want to continue feeding flakes and pellets, I just suggest you split the feedings, i.e., feed him pellets in the morning and flakes in the evening

one potential problem with flakes is that since they float on the surface, he is possibly ingesting some air along with the flakes, which is not good . . . and maybe only do one pinch, as he is only one fish

I also want to commend you for not only asking good questions, but actually listening to the advice . . . you'd be amazed how many noobs just continue doing what they were doing, no matter what suggestions are made

 

[pcfriedrich]

yeah. you are probably feeding him too much. feed only the ammount he will eat in a minute or two, and remove any food he doesn't eat in that time.

Welcome to MFK!

 

[Michiba54]

I plan on the 55Gal within a month or 2 months from now. I will have to look up on how to cycle the new tank before placing him into his new home.

Petco is having a $1 gallon sale, again, so for $55 plus tax you can get a 55g tank an spend the extra money on a better filter like an AC110. Donno if there is a petco by you or if they are doing the sale, but figured i'd tell you.

Good luck!

 

[JessAlba452]

Thank you I'll feed him less and definitely look into some brine shrimp or bloodworms to keep his diet interesting.

I'll have to check out the local Petco and see if they still have the deal going on or any more 55Gal's left!