My Issue falls into many categories... Summary = UNBALANCED TANK! - Need help...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Yes... the Bala shark that I lost was close to 12"... sigh... My 3 sharks now are between 8-10" and they don't have an issue w/ this tank... just my Gar does moving around cause he's long & skinny... so a definite upgrade to a WIDER tank is necessary...

More on my filtration...
Right now I have my 5 yr old Whisper 60 (which is on it's last leg...) and a newer Whisper 70 on the other end... it's got the biomedia filters along w/ carbon cartridges in em. I've also started the recommended dose of Seachem's "STABILITY" in the tank... the rest of the fish seem fine...

I've been told my numerous people that the "rule of thumb" is an inch of fish per gallon... in that case, now that I've already lost 1 Gar... I'm down to 48" of fish in a 55 gal...

I've also invested in a LIQUID testing kit for all areas.... Not sure what else to do at this point since I don't have the finances to invest in a larger tank or a high end filtering system... I was considering buying another Whisper 70 to replace my 5 yr old Whisper 60 but theirs already bacteria and biomedia that has established on this filtering system that I don't have yet w/ my newly installed Whisper 70 on the other end, as that filter is only a few weeks old...
 
CrystaliZed;4433888; said:
Yes... the Bala shark that I lost was close to 12"... sigh... My 3 sharks now are between 8-10" and they don't have an issue w/ this tank... just my Gar does moving around cause he's long & skinny... so a definite upgrade to a WIDER tank is necessary...

More on my filtration...
Right now I have my 5 yr old Whisper 60 (which is on it's last leg...) and a newer Whisper 70 on the other end... it's got the biomedia filters along w/ carbon cartridges in em. I've also started the recommended dose of Seachem's "STABILITY" in the tank... the rest of the fish seem fine...

I've been told my numerous people that the "rule of thumb" is an inch of fish per gallon... in that case, now that I've already lost 1 Gar... I'm down to 48" of fish in a 55 gal...

I've also invested in a LIQUID testing kit for all areas.... Not sure what else to do at this point since I don't have the finances to invest in a larger tank or a high end filtering system... I was considering buying another Whisper 70 to replace my 5 yr old Whisper 60 but theirs already bacteria and biomedia that has established on this filtering system that I don't have yet w/ my newly installed Whisper 70 on the other end, as that filter is only a few weeks old...
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Out of curiosity, where do you get your equipment? You can get filters pretty cheap off craigslist depending where you live or ordering them online.
 
I buy my equipment locally thru a couple of pet stores... some of it is reasonably priced, other stuff is way too expensive... I guess other than the filters I use... everyone has their own opinion and I'm really unsure as to what to what else to use for a filter set up. A lot of this is beyond my knowledge... :(
 
THD;4433905; said:
Check it out:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88431

Wish I read this about a decade ago...
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You beat me to it, i just went to get that link.

Personally, i'd throw that rule out, i don't use it at all. Just think about it, you had a 12 inch long fish in a tank that's 12.5 inches? I guess the fish could only look left and right in your tank and that's ok? I'm aware that fish like arowana and sharks don't use their full body length to turn around but just think about it for a sec
 
CrystaliZed;4433914; said:
I buy my equipment locally thru a couple of pet stores... some of it is reasonably priced, other stuff is way too expensive... I guess other than the filters I use... everyone has their own opinion and I'm really unsure as to what to what else to use for a filter set up. A lot of this is beyond my knowledge... :(
Click to expand...


do you know what the filter you're talking about will cost you at your LFS? I can help you find cheaper options
 
Yes... I read that post about the "1 inch per gallon" rule - makes sense now... it was never explained to me like that and now I see how my large bala sharks & my gar are having issues... :(

I am also unsure of recommended "online" sites to buy equipment from, let alone things I will specifically need for filtration, etc... whenever it is that I can change over to something better... I really don't know what to go over to for complete filtration or how to set up anything else... I've already learned so much today about all this...

Now I feel like this:
IMGP1245.jpg


SERIOUSLY IN OVER MY HEAD!! LOL!!! I won't even be able to HAVE Bala Sharks if ^^^ happens!!
 
ballinouttacntrol;4433925; said:
You beat me to it, i just went to get that link.

Personally, i'd throw that rule out, i don't use it at all.
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Ha! To quick for ya : )

I agree with you about that rule, but it does shed a little light for the OP, on a highly debated, almost always misunderstood rule "of thumb".
 
We can help you, there's alot of people on here that can share their experience and a specific site's reputation. I would never suggest something to someone i wouldn't do myself. I just want to help you see all your options, for your fish's sake
 
CrystaliZed;4433914; said:
I buy my equipment locally thru a couple of pet stores... some of it is reasonably priced, other stuff is way too expensive... I guess other than the filters I use... everyone has their own opinion and I'm really unsure as to what to what else to use for a filter set up. A lot of this is beyond my knowledge... :(
Click to expand...

Dont worry, you will work your way through it. All part of the learning curve. The most important thing you can do at this point is put in a few hours of quality research on tank maintenance. You are already off to a great start. I really love to read up on this stuff (spend a little too much time on it really). Take a look into the following topics:

1) Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

2) Aquarium Filter Types

3) Each fish you own, have owned and have interest in owning

Google, YouTube, Wikipedia, this forum, other forums, drsfostersmith.com , bigalsonline.com and after you beef up your BS detector you will be able to find the truly knowledgeable employees at your LFS.

Good luck,

Matt

Edit: planetcatfish.com , cichlidae.com
 
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