Fishkeeping - Upside-down Ryukin?

On Wed, 09 May 2007 12:23:28 GMT, wrote:

Dana Taramina wrote:

Might he just have been referring to ammonia or
pH when he said "the water's normal"?

..... yup, always good to get your own kits

ok, I'll do that.

Do I have too many fish? I knew it was close, but I could send a
couple to Big Al's.
........ IIRC, you have 45 gallon tank and 1 filter. 3 large fish, 4 smaller fish,
OR, increase water changes to keep nitrates at or below 20 ppm.

ok. I have 2 large-ish fish and 3 small-ish ones. Filter is an
Aqua-Clear 70. I'll do more water changed. (Once a week, perhaps?)
Have to go to Big Al's soon anyway, I'll pick up a water test kit
then.

I do have gravel, but keep it very clean.
............... you would be surprised how much organics are caught in the gravel.
reach down and grab a handful of gravel all the way to the glass like you are going
to take it out of the tank and pick it up and see how much "stuff" swirls up into the
water. however, do not actually decide to remove all the gravel with the fish in
the tank, they must be moved out temporarily to a bucket with airstones.

ok, will do. I'll check out how clean my gravel is (or is not) today.

ok, but I thought GF were cold water fish?
.......... no, they arent. their ideal temp for metabolism is closer to 75. they
can "exist" at lower temps, but it isnt ideal

huh. I always thought 68 - 70 was good temp for them. Well, the heater
is in and the water is now at 76. Fish look happy.

ok. Would it be better to feed them tiny amounts several times a day?
I have some, but had kind of been using it for "treats".
....... yes, tiny amounts more X per day.

ok again. Thanks for all of your help. I'm *going* to get this tank
straightened out!

Dana