Nitrates?

"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
I don't know how the experts feel about the system I'm
about to recommend, but I found this really useful
in figuring out how many fish I could reasonably have:
http://www.tropicalresources.net/web..._guide_fw.html
I'm still overstocked a bit in several of my tanks but
since all my fish are small tropicals I don't worry too much.

Rats- the site seems to be down right now. I would be very interested in
seeing yet another idea. My reference to pushing the limits (overstocked)
are based on the simple 1"/gallon rule. But like you most of my FW pets are
around 2 inches. I think I am correct in assuming that a 2" gourami is
going to produce more waste than a 2" narrow body tetra just because they
have more girth to support. I have also seen some reference to some fish
just apparently not producing as much waste per inch - platys are the only
one I have seen specifically mentioned. I have always figured that's one of
the reasons that fancy GF are considered so much more 'dirtier' - because
there is much more fish to support.

It is worth converting to
flourescent lights, even the mini compacts Wal-Mart
now sells are worth a try. (They'll work in an
incandescent hood - trust me, I've done it.)

All of my tanks have single florescent bulbs, 2 have the more expensive
'grow lights'. But they still are very minimal compared to the 2-5 watts
per gallon I often see recommended. The artificial plants in the 3rd tank
with regular florescent lighting seem to be doing fine

Thanxx
Bill

"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
...

"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
I don't know how the experts feel about the system I'm
about to recommend, but I found this really useful
in figuring out how many fish I could reasonably have:
http://www.tropicalresources.net/web..._guide_fw.html
I'm still overstocked a bit in several of my tanks but
since all my fish are small tropicals I don't worry too much.

Rats- the site seems to be down right now. I would be very interested
in seeing yet another idea. My reference to pushing the limits
(overstocked) are based on the simple 1"/gallon rule.

For your reading interests then : )
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/basics/st...stocking.shtml
--
www.NetMax.tk

snip
Thanxx
Bill

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .
snip
For your reading interests then : )
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/basics/st...stocking.shtml
snip

I have read through this page and it is very informative. It does give me a
little better sense of where I am heading.
Couple more questions please. 1) Could you suggest a site(s) which might
give me a better idea of their tank swimming and activity levels? 2) I'm
sure you talk about it elsewhere but how concerned should you be with fish
suggested pH, gH, temp etc? My tap is normally around 7.5 pH and 150 gH.
3)What's the difference between schooling and shoaling fish?

Thanxx
Bill

schooling fish stay in a tight "military" style precise formation. There
are no "schooling" fish in the aquarium hobby that I know of. Things like
tetras that are called "schooling" are actually in a shoal. A shoal is a
social formation of fish also, but it is looser. Some fish may be facing
left, some right. Some looking down. In schools, all fish face the same
direction and move in precise unison, as if they are just one big fish.

and with your ph, you should be able to keep just about any fish you want
with no problems.

--

Margolis
http://web.archive.org/web/200302152...qs/AGQ2FAQ.htm
http://www.unrealtower.org/faq

Margolis wrote:
schooling fish stay in a tight "military" style precise formation. There
are no "schooling" fish in the aquarium hobby that I know of. Things like
tetras that are called "schooling" are actually in a shoal. A shoal is a
social formation of fish also, but it is looser. Some fish may be facing
left, some right. Some looking down. In schools, all fish face the same
direction and move in precise unison, as if they are just one big fish.

and with your ph, you should be able to keep just about any fish you want
with no problems.

I did have a group of 4 harlequin rasboras once that showed the true
schooling behavior you're describing a lot of the time. I don't know
whether this is unusual for harlequins, but it sure was cool to watch.

--
__ Elaine T __
__' http://eethomp.com/fish.html '__

"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
om...

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .
snip
For your reading interests then : )
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/basics/st...stocking.shtml
snip

I have read through this page and it is very informative. It does give
me a little better sense of where I am heading.
Couple more questions please. 1) Could you suggest a site(s) which
might give me a better idea of their tank swimming and activity levels?

In a single site, not really, and it might take you a lot if mining. On
my links page, under ID, you will see a lot of the main sites.
Fortunately, general fish behaviour is by family (or genus), with nuances
by genus or species. You can learn a lot by their mouth. Gourami &
tetra mouths open pointing upwards (they feed from the surface, so they
spend lots of time in the top half of the tank) and Oto and cory mouths
point downwards, and these fish are heavier than water (so they are
bottom-feeders which stay on or near the bottom of the tank). Then there
are exceptions, such as Pygmy corys who like to swim in the water and
park in leaves, and some Betta (same family as gouramis) can spend lots
of time hunting along the bottom of a tank, so individual personalities
will factor in too.

2) I'm sure you talk about it elsewhere but how concerned should you
be with fish suggested pH, gH, temp etc? My tap is normally around 7.5
pH and 150 gH.

As I recall, gouramis, tetras, panda corys and otos. I also don't see
any problems with your water. You want to avoid the extremes when the
fish originate from the other extreme. You are more interested in pH, gH
temp etc, when looking for spawning triggers. More problems originate
from messing with the water, than from keeping it where it is and nice
and clean.

3)What's the difference between schooling and shoaling fish?

Already explained by others. Shoaling is to generally behave as a group.

Thanxx
Bill

pleasure : )
--
www.NetMax.tk

In article ,
says...
Couple more questions please. 1) Could you suggest a site(s) which
might give me a better idea of their tank swimming and activity levels?

In a single site, not really, and it might take you a lot if mining. On
my links page, under ID, you will see a lot of the main sites.

I had the luck to pick up a copy of Baensch's (sp?) Aquarium Atlas at a
used book sale. It gives that info (and a lot more) for each fish
listed. Copies should be findable on ABE.

--
Homo sapiens is a goal, not a description