Dreaded Newbie questions...

Steve,

Thanks for taking a look - I tried to design the tank so it would look
nice to me and be a good home for the fishies... I think I'll reduce
the lighting in the tank (or keep it off if there's no easy way to
reduce it) and observe for a few days to see how the fish behave, then
decide what to do long term.

I also appreciate your advice about the water changes and cycling...
Unfortunately, my research wasn't enough in the beginning, and I lost 3
of 6 neons (I think because I put them in too soon - I thought the tank
was cycled, (via 3 rasboras and a starter bacteria product (both
recommended by the LFS) - had no ammonia, trace nitrite** and little
nitrate). ** The page (came with the test kit, I think) for recording
readings indicated 0 to .25 was acceptable for nitrite - my research
since indicates it's just 0, so that's what I'm working on now.

Anywho, I think the 6 neons overloaded the bio filter (which was strong
enough for 3 rasboras, but not more) and that's how I lost the three.
I'm keeping a close eye on the readings (testing daily) and doing water
changes if the ammonia gets to 1. (I feel kinda bad for putting the
fishies through a trial by fire due to my ignorance, but I'm learning.)

The rasboras are little troopers and have been doing well since they
were added, the three remaining neons seem well too as far as I can
tell - hopefully I'll be able to take proper care of them while the
tank finishes cycling.

Which brings up another question - does a fish's mouth open and close
when they breath or is that strictly eating or...? I've noticed
sometimes that the fishes will be opening and closing their mouths, but
there's no food in the water that I can see, and it's been long enough
since I fed them that I don't think there's really anything there to
eat... Could this be a symptom of a problem or is it normal or....?

Thanks,

Liz

"Liz" wrote in message
ups.com...
Steve,

Thanks for taking a look - I tried to design the tank so it would look
nice to me and be a good home for the fishies... I think I'll reduce
the lighting in the tank (or keep it off if there's no easy way to
reduce it) and observe for a few days to see how the fish behave, then
decide what to do long term.

I also appreciate your advice about the water changes and cycling...
Unfortunately, my research wasn't enough in the beginning, and I lost 3
of 6 neons (I think because I put them in too soon - I thought the tank
was cycled, (via 3 rasboras and a starter bacteria product (both
recommended by the LFS) - had no ammonia, trace nitrite** and little
nitrate). ** The page (came with the test kit, I think) for recording
readings indicated 0 to .25 was acceptable for nitrite - my research
since indicates it's just 0, so that's what I'm working on now.

Anywho, I think the 6 neons overloaded the bio filter (which was strong
enough for 3 rasboras, but not more) and that's how I lost the three.
I'm keeping a close eye on the readings (testing daily) and doing water
changes if the ammonia gets to 1. (I feel kinda bad for putting the
fishies through a trial by fire due to my ignorance, but I'm learning.)

The rasboras are little troopers and have been doing well since they
were added, the three remaining neons seem well too as far as I can
tell - hopefully I'll be able to take proper care of them while the
tank finishes cycling.

Which brings up another question - does a fish's mouth open and close
when they breath or is that strictly eating or...? I've noticed
sometimes that the fishes will be opening and closing their mouths, but
there's no food in the water that I can see, and it's been long enough
since I fed them that I don't think there's really anything there to
eat... Could this be a symptom of a problem or is it normal or....?

Thanks,

Liz


It is usually a sign of increased breathing in small fish like neons,
especially as neons can't cycle tanks and don't do very well with even the
lowest levels of ammonia/nitrite. This happens if their gills are irritated.
Mary

Mary,

Thank you for catching this question. I was afraid of this. I'll
continue to do my best to keep the levels as low as possible - have
been doing frequent small water changes and increased aeration.

Thanks,

Liz

Liz wrote:
Steve,

Thanks for taking a look - I tried to design the tank so it would look
nice to me and be a good home for the fishies... I think I'll reduce
the lighting in the tank (or keep it off if there's no easy way to
reduce it) and observe for a few days to see how the fish behave, then
decide what to do long term.

I also appreciate your advice about the water changes and cycling...
Unfortunately, my research wasn't enough in the beginning, and I lost 3
of 6 neons (I think because I put them in too soon - I thought the tank
was cycled, (via 3 rasboras and a starter bacteria product (both
recommended by the LFS) - had no ammonia, trace nitrite** and little
nitrate). ** The page (came with the test kit, I think) for recording
readings indicated 0 to .25 was acceptable for nitrite - my research
since indicates it's just 0, so that's what I'm working on now.

Anywho, I think the 6 neons overloaded the bio filter (which was strong
enough for 3 rasboras, but not more) and that's how I lost the three.
I'm keeping a close eye on the readings (testing daily) and doing water
changes if the ammonia gets to 1. (I feel kinda bad for putting the
fishies through a trial by fire due to my ignorance, but I'm learning.)

The rasboras are little troopers and have been doing well since they
were added, the three remaining neons seem well too as far as I can
tell - hopefully I'll be able to take proper care of them while the
tank finishes cycling.

Which brings up another question - does a fish's mouth open and close
when they breath or is that strictly eating or...? I've noticed
sometimes that the fishes will be opening and closing their mouths, but
there's no food in the water that I can see, and it's been long enough
since I fed them that I don't think there's really anything there to
eat... Could this be a symptom of a problem or is it normal or....?

Thanks,

Liz


My rainbowfishes' mouths open and close in a barely noticeable manner,
and my goldfishes' mouths open and close very noticeably. I'm not sure
whether the goldfish are breathing, or gulping in tiny food from the
water surface or the bottom. They're likely doing both. I looked this
up in a book (Aquariology master volume by J.B. Gratzek 1992, Tetra
Press, ISBN 1-56465-105-3). On page 176 under "The Respiratory Pump",
the book says "the water flows in through the open mouth... By timing
this with the closing of the mouth... water is pumped over the gill..."

I'm sorry about your early fish losses due to inadequate cycle. I've had
similar problems in the past, especially before learning about
bacteriological filtration and aquarium cycling.

In any case, please keep enjoying the hobby!

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to do some research for me. As mentioned to
Mary, I'm doing my best to keep the levels as low as possible without
drastic 100% water changes.

Despite the early losses, I do plan to keep up the hobby - it's very
relaxing to sit and watch the fishies. :-) I plan to do some
experimenting with the hospital tank in an effort to master the
"fishless cycle" so that if / when I upgrade to a larger tank I can do
it right (and so that the hospital tank is ready to go, if needed).

Thanks,

Liz

Liz wrote:
Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to do some research for me. As mentioned to
Mary, I'm doing my best to keep the levels as low as possible without
drastic 100% water changes.

Despite the early losses, I do plan to keep up the hobby - it's very
relaxing to sit and watch the fishies. :-) I plan to do some
experimenting with the hospital tank in an effort to master the
"fishless cycle" so that if / when I upgrade to a larger tank I can do
it right (and so that the hospital tank is ready to go, if needed).

Thanks,

Liz


For any new aquariums, you can transfer filter media, plants, gravel etc
from your established aquarium to the new tank. In this way, you'll
establish the new aquarium without a serious cycle.
Steve

Steve wrote:
Liz wrote:

Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to do some research for me. As mentioned to
Mary, I'm doing my best to keep the levels as low as possible without
drastic 100% water changes.

Despite the early losses, I do plan to keep up the hobby - it's very
relaxing to sit and watch the fishies. :-) I plan to do some
experimenting with the hospital tank in an effort to master the
"fishless cycle" so that if / when I upgrade to a larger tank I can do
it right (and so that the hospital tank is ready to go, if needed).

Thanks,

Liz


For any new aquariums, you can transfer filter media, plants, gravel etc
from your established aquarium to the new tank. In this way, you'll
establish the new aquarium without a serious cycle.
Steve
Well when I got my 2nd tank I took some gravel and plant from old tank
not the filter media though and it still had a normalish cycle just the
redding were a little lower than a normal cycle an about a week less
time. So in my opinion(I could be wrong still new) the filter media has
more of an affect then the others.

Steve,

Yes, of course, I realized that shortly after I posted.... Silly me.
I'm thinking though that it may be good to do the hospital tank from
scratch instead of bringing over the water (or is that not a concern?).

Thanks,

Liz