NEWBIE IN Distress
- Thread starter nana07202
- Start date
You should have waited to have an established 55 gal before getting a single of those fish, let alone the 3 of them.
They will most likely die during the upgrade. If so, make sure you don't buy another Green Terror... try to get a group of baby Dempseys and raise them until they form a pair.
They will most likely die during the upgrade. If so, make sure you don't buy another Green Terror... try to get a group of baby Dempseys and raise them until they form a pair.
You can grow them out for a while in the 55, but you will need something bigger down the line, especially if your JDs form a breeding pair. The breeding pair will be rough on the GT in that size tank. Save your money while they grow out in the 55 so you can get a bigger tank later. Check Craigslist, you can find great deals. My buddy just called me about a local listing on Craigslist for a 150 gallon full set up, wet dry included, for $350! There's no need for you to go that big though. I was just giving an example. Best of luck to you!
For sure you would need bigger than a 55 for those three, but to say they will most likely die during the upgrade seems silly. if they are healthy they should be fine during the upgrade, just make sure you plan on something bigger if you plan on keeping all three or be ready for some brawling as they get biggercacichlids;4973111; said:
I wuz taking the pet stores word for it didnt kno it wuz such a problem during a transfer i will try my best though to keep them alive and happy.and i would like to kno y would a transfer be so hard if i make sure i do every thing rite.either way thanx for ur input
JeffLeMay;4973178; said:
What I meant is during the cycling process since he apparently is a first time owner and doesn't have the 55 gal yet. They might not die, but they do more often than not. Even for experienced aquarists it's hard to set up/cycle a tank with no losses, that's why it's recommended that you do not start off with the fish you want to keep, some might even survive but are permanently damaged due to being exposed to high ammonia, nitrites, chemicals, ph/water hardness/temperature swings, stress, and countless other things.
I'm just being realistic
55 won't be enough. But it is really hard to say what tank you will need because some Dempseys are pretty nasty while others are very peaceful. Same goes for GT's. I would say 100-125 gallon though.
Once you get ready to move them to the 55, get a bottle of that Tetra Safe Start, and add the whole bottle to the tank. That stuff really does help. I would also recommend picking up a bottle of Stress-Ease at Wal-Mart, and pour some on the fish once they're in the bags that you'll be floating in the 55 gallon. That will help keep them calm and happy. I also recommend setting up that 55 as quickly as possible, and worry about separating/bigger tanks afterwards.