my minnows tank and a few other questions

[dandaman352]

Hey guys, I've been buying minnows at my LFS and have been having trouble keeping the minnows alive once I get them home. Everyday about 10 die. Its about a 15 gallon tank and I have a whisper filter made for 30 gallon tanks on it as well as an airstone in it. Its barebottom and I will say that I do neglect to do some water changes but even after I do, do it it dosen't seem to help.

I'm going on vacation in a week for ten days and need to buy 100 to store and let my little brother or sister feed my fish but neither would go to the store so hopefully theres some sort of solution to this. Also assuming I feed them before I leave how often should I feed the fish that only eat other fish (my shovelnosed cat, datnoid, gar)

Thanks in advance

 

[2004exrider]

Is your tank cycled? Im leaning toward it not being and also more than likely overstocked and ammonia is killing them.

Jimmy

 

[Will Hayward]

You should buy at least a 40 gallon rubbermade tub at walmart to store that many of them in. Or they have some that are meant to slide under beds that are 2 feet wide, 4 feet long and 10" high that would work. This would give a lot of surface area which will help. Better borrow another established filter, and move and sponges and gravel into it.

 

[Dr Joe]

, revise your tank thinking. The filter may be made for a 30g tank but not for an extremely overstocked tank (@100 minnows). A turnover rate of 6x to 8x in the 15g with a filter that has a massive amount of bio-material will keep them going once established. Just not going to happen in a week even with some established media without losses.

The fish will be ok for a couple of days before they start picking on each other.

You could do something dumb like putting 20 feeders in the main tank (since you don't quarantine anyway) ever other day to try and build up a resident stock for the time you'll be gone, then bro/sis can just add a few extra to keep things going and the 15g won't be overloaded.

Dr Joe

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[red_wall]

My expert analysis(/sacrasm) is that your tank isn't cycled. I agree with the adding established material and the rubbermaid tub.

For established material, just go to your LFS/pet store w/ fish in it and ask for a tiny clipping of the sponge material. I'd strongly recommend throwing a few bio-balls from their tanks in there if they have them, It cycled my tank VERY quickly

 

[dandaman352]

I took media from an established tank (mine), and water from my actual tank to fill it up with. I guess some gravel will help as the cycling bacteria can reside there. I don't really have the space for a tub, but with that 15G and the filter, with gravel and airstone (once its better cyclced) how many minnows can I keep in there at once.

I've tried the resident stock thing before I had that minnow tank when I went away. I dropped like 30 in there and everyone went crazy and they finished about 20 before I actually left (within about 10 min) and the other 10 within an hour or so of me leaving. (tank is stocked with a datnoid, gar, shovelnose, arowana, firemouth, and 2 rope fish) My fish can be quite the glutons.

 

[Will Hayward]

I don't really have the space for a tub

That's ridiculous... It doesn't have to be long term, and since you wont be home during that time, I'm sure you can spare some floor space temporarily. Heck, just fill up your bathtub, and use a canister filter with established media, put your gravel into a bucket submerged into the tub, and have the return line of the filter pumping water into the bottom of the gravel.

 

[dandaman352]

Heck, just fill up your bathtub, and use a canister filter with established media, put your gravel into a bucket submerged into the tub, and have the return line of the filter pumping water into the bottom of the gravel.

I live in a basement man, I don't even have a tub. Just a shower.

 

[Will Hayward]

Yeah, I live in a basement too... I'm just saying, if you cant find room for something larger than a 15 gallon, to setup temporarily... ahh why do I bother.

You come asking for aid, but when we give you the truth, you shoot down the answers. No 15 gallon tank, can properly support 100 minnows, without serious investment in equipment. Now, lets here what you intend to do, because the easy and evident solution is something you claim you can't do.

You're not even going to be home, flip your bed on its side and put a tub there...

 

[Hdeuce]

you could get about ten five gallon buckets and put ten minnows a piece in them just make sure you treat the water with beneficial bacteria and let it sit for a couple days before you get the minnows , you will be gone for only ten days with the size of minnows you shouldnt even need to filter the buckets , just be prepared for it to stink a little when you get home before you clean it up.