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It is like someone (John Stone, I believe) explained on your rummynose thread. Drip acclimation (where water from your tank slowly drips from a bit of tubing into the bag w/ fish) is the best way to acclimate sensitive fish.

My tankmates are pretty similar to some of the fish in your tank: I've got the ram, 5 Corydoras septentrionalis, 6 Corydoras habrosus, 7 lemon tetras, 6 cardinal tetras, and one bristlenose catfish. They are all peaceful tankmates, and all like the same kind of water (soft and acidic) as the ram. My tank is a 29 gallon, by the way.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Should I keep the tank a bit acidic?
Tahnks for replying so quickly!

How long should you drip water in the bag with the fish in it for? Shoudl I do htis when adding to the quarantine tank and when I add it to the main tank?

Thankyou so much!

Labrakitty

To be honest, I wouldn't mess with the pH in that tank. All of the fish on your list will probably be fine in a tank with basic water. My South American fish tank (the one I described) has a pH of around 8.0. Altering the pH would do more harm than good. As long as it is stable, your fish should be okay.

The amount of time you acclimate your fish will depend on the species. For the German ram and rummies, give them at least, say, two hours. It sounds like a long time, but your fish will be better off that way. I'm not really 100% sure on this acclimating thing though, so you should check with another member first.

If the water in your quarantine tank and the main tank is the same, then they shouldn't need any more acclimation. Still though, it is best to double-check.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

thanks so much for the tips! I really appreciate it!

Labrakitty

I think I will go with:
2 lace gouramis
1 bolivian ram
1 german ram
6 panda corys
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy-nose tetras

thanks for all your ideas and help. If you still have ant comments, feel free to post them.

Labrakitty

Sirbooks, what is the GH in your south american tank? What should the GH in my tank be? Thankyou for all your help!

Labrakitty

To be honest, I really don't know. A few months back, I made the mistake of buying test strips instead of a test kit. The strips aren't very accurate at all, so I can only guess.

Either way though, your fish will appreciate soft water, with a GH of about 12 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know if you should bother changing it though, like with the pH. Your fish should be happy in a moderate level GH, as long as it remains stable.

I really wish someone else would reply to this thread and back up or correct whatever I've said. Labrakitty, you really should get a second opinion.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

-jumps in-
Leave the PH alone whatever it is. unless its really high like 8.0+ there is no reason to alter it. i have 7.6 PH in my south american tank. GH is a different story kinda. Egg layers ( like blue rams ) require softer water because the egg "shell" for lack of a better word, hardens to fast to be furtilised in harder water. ( lets say some egg layers im not sure about all ) this only matters if your trying to breed them and get good results. aside from that try to stick to fish within reason of your natural tap range. if you got 5.0ph coming out your tap and stable in a tank dont go get a fish they wants 8.5ph and think hes gona be happy. you can go outside the boundries just keep it within reason. GH/KH is mostly for the eggs, most juvie fish will acclimate to it for the most part as logn as you keep it within reason like i said.

I have HARD water ehre in San Diego, and yet my cardinals have spawned on at least two separate occassions, producing viable fry. You should have no problem.

I don't know what hardness my tap water is because I add something to harden it. They are like blue tiny crystals. In my Live Bearer tank the GH is normally about 12-13 but it use to be about8-9 all the time. I made it harder for the guppies. I think it will be 8-9. I am not intending to get more than 1 geramn ram and only 1 bolivian too. So then I will not have breeding. Will 8-9 dGH be ok?

Thanks so much!

Labrakitty

ya that would be fine, no reason to mess with water chemistry. some people do it because they have an itch to scratch. its really not a must. best to keep it as simple as possible so its not a chore later. much easier to feed the fish and water change once a week then it is to deal with this chemicle this parameter. leaves more time to sit back and enjoy it.

Yeah. . .

tahnks very much!
So it is gonna be:
2 lace gouramis
1 bolivian ram
1 german ram
6 panda corys
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras
Ph: about 7.0
GH: about 8
temp:about 26

thankyou for all your help.

Labrakitty

I went to another aquarium today and the guy said I could have 2 pairs of cichlids and bump the corys number up to 8. He said the corys don't mind what type of cory and they will school together. Adn he also said the cichlids wo't annoy the corys and if htey do the corys wiht flair their armor at them.
So I am going with:
2 lace gouramis
2 bolivian rams
2 african butterfly cichlids
4 panda corydoras
4 julii corysdoras
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras
Thsi is my final choice!

Thankyou for all your wonderful help!

Labrakitty

Not again! I never trust what someone from a fish store says, until I get a second opinion that confirms it. They will often say anything they can just to sell fish, and that is probably what this guy is trying to do with you. Look at it this way: If you go with what he says, that is two more cichlids, and two more cories that he sells. Unfortunately for you (and the fish), what he said is wrong. At least, I disagree with the guy. Adding more cichlids would overstock your tank, and I stand firm in saying that cories will only shoal w/ different species if they are stressed or not kept in large enough groups. Four of each is not a large enough group. I still say that six panda cories would be best.

Also, I've never heard of a Corydoras catfish "flaring" its armor at another fish. Cories are non-confrontational (most kinds), and do not participate in fights or skirmishes. Plus, cories can't flare anything. Their armor and spines help protect them from attacks, but they can't fight back.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

He wasn't trying to sell me stuff, he didn't even stock Julii corys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So why would he tell me that?????????? I could tell he wasn't lying. My LFS are nice, they don't lie to help sell MORE FISH!!!!!!!! THEY TRY TO HELP ME!!!!!and anyway, that is your opinion, how do I know you are right??? This guy that I spoke to has bred nearly every type of fihs! He bred peppermint catfish! I think he has more experience than you. and he only sells top quality fish. He said it would be fine and not overstocked. If the cichlids pick at the corys they will flair their armor out and the cihclids won't go near them again. AND HE ALSO SAID THE FIHS DON'T NEED SPECIAL ACCLIMATIZING! It is acclimatization not acclimation.

It is my tank, I appreciate your help, but I am allowed to get other opinions too. Remember, I am in Australia and you are in America. Different countries have different opinions. You should respect other countries opinions not just say 'they are trying to sell you more'

Hope you take this seriously.

Labrakitty

I'm not at all trying to boss you around. Like you said, I'm just giving my opinion. Several other times in this thread, I have recommended that you get a second opinion from someone else, have I not? If I have doubts about whether what I've said is correct, I usually let people know. Either way, you absolutely don't know if I'm right or not. You don't know if I'm giving you correct info. I could be maliciously lying to you, so that your fish all die. You don't know me, so you can't tell if I'm lying or not. I'm glad that you realize that.

As for fish stores, what I said is (sadly) often true. Store workers are either trying to sell more fish, unknowlegeable, or really learned and nice. Unfortunately, the latter kinds of workers are hard to find. It's great if your local fish store(s) are super smart when it comes to fish. Really though, I've never been to a super good lfs. For example, a worker at the store which sold me my longnosed cories told me that they reach six inches. In reality, they only get to two, maybe two and a half. See?

I really don't think you should drag nationality into this, though. If you take away borders, flags, cultures, and religion, people all over the world are pretty much the same. I'd appreciate it if you didn't accuse me (pretty much) of not respecting the opinions of Australians.

I stand by what I said about the fish, though. I am just trying to help.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

AND HE ALSO SAID THE FIHS DON'T NEED SPECIAL ACCLIMATIZING!

bingo!! "special" acclimatzation as you were saying is the best way to acclimate fish. LImites the stress of changes in water parameters to almost o imo the only stress in when you have to scoop em up in a net. Espacially for sensative or expensive fish. You dont just want to chuck your 3000$$ arowana in your tank. The drip method is the safest and best way after qting to help fish with acclimating. And frankly i dont care if you "pet store employe" cories heck i dont care if he can breed anything it doesnt mean crap. A good employe would have told you about the drip methold and believe me there hard to come by. And he probably doesnt know as much as books.

And i will garentee he hasnt breed even close to every type of fish. Ask him if hes breed stingray fw stingray! If he has then mabe im wrong highly doubt he has though

He only breeds tropical fish! He doesn't sell marine fish, because he thinks it is cruel. DO YOU KNOW HOW THEY CATCH MARINE FISH? They go out on a boat and spray some chemical into the ocean with make s all the fihs and live rock and coral float a the top so they can catch them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW CRUEL IS THAT??????????

First, marines can be tropical - "tropical" just means "warm water." Secondly, FW stingrays are just that - FW, freshwater.

Plus, cyanide is only one way marines are caught, and it's usually pretty localized (ie spray it right at the fish, or into crevices). It's not a great idea certainly but there's no need to boycott all SW fish because of it - there are fish certified as cyanide-free and of course caprive-bred fish. If he doesn't know about those I'd question his knowledge on other fishy subjects.

-Molly
Visit shelldwellers.com!

While that method of catching marine fish is widespread, it isn't the only one used. There are an increasing number of collectors who use responsible and fish-safe methods such as regular old catching-fish-with-a-net. They are being trained and encouraged in this direction by knowlegeable fish experts. Not all marine fish are caught using the cruel method mentioned in the above post.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

He only breeds tropical fish! He doesn't sell marine fish, because he thinks it is cruel

First off there are tank breed clowns tangs etc etc. Second i said fw stingray. I didnt saw squat about marine stingray or marine anything so i dont know who brought that up. There are species off fw stingrays you know. Teacups etc etc. Very hard to breed and extremely expensive. ANd i agree tropical is a general term. i would use fw(freshwater) for future reference.


fish1

My final decision is:
2 lace gouramis
2 bolivian ram
6 panda corys
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras

Labrakitty

And by the way, my tank is 28 UK gallons, 126 litres, about 34 US gallons.

Thanks for all your help.

Labrakitty

[font color="#C00000"]

Remember, I am in Australia and you are in America. Different countries have different opinions. You should respect other countries opinions not just say 'they are trying to sell you more'

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What the heck does that have to do with anything:%), you should also respect Sirbooks opinion in that case.


What books has been saying i agree with. Everything from the cory schools to LFS employees.






Last edited by PJ at 22-Dec-2004 23:14

The more fish an employee sells, the better he/she looks to their boss, and the higher chance of them (the employee) getting a raise/promotion. At least, that's the way I see things. I've been told too many incorrect things by lfs workers, so I tend not to believe what they say. It isn't a good thing, but I really don't know what I can do about it.

I'm sorry if I sounded harsh, but I'm just trying to get my message through.

EDIT: By the way, I wasn't being sarcastic or obnoxious. I know that nobody is trying to be malicious, too. I am just trying (rather firmly) to get across. At least I'm not blowing up in frustration and impatience.

Last edited by sirbooks at 23-Dec-2004 18:39

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Getting off track here guys... Lets concentrate on helping and not bickering.

Labrakitty I think your last list is fine.

2 lace gouramis
2 bolivian ram
6 panda corys
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras

I wouldnt add anymore though as it would be pushing your tank limits a little too far. Try and get a group of the same species of cory if you can. They will be much happier.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Sirbooks, no affence but the guy who told us this stuff was the owner and the boss of the shop.

Ok, I will go with:
2 lace gouramis
2 bolivian rams
6 panda corys
6 rummy nose tetras
6 cardinal tetras

Thanks for your help!

Labrakitty

The assistant manager at my store knows nothing about fish. Literally anything he touches dies, so we don't let him do things with the tanks or follow his advice or anything.

I'm not saying that the boss of your store is like that, but I'm just saying that just because somebody has authority doesn't mean they know what they are doing...

Last edited by Cory Addict at 24-Dec-2004 02:55

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Whatever. I am going with:
2 lace gouramis
2 bolivian rams
6 panda corys
6 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras

Thanks for your help.

Labrakitty

ok, sounds good.

Now that you finally have made up your choice, let us never speak of this thread again.





Last edited by PJ at 25-Dec-2004 05:23

I have changed my mind and decided not to get bolivian rams. Could I have this instead?
2 lace gouramis
10 cardinal tetras
6 rummy nose tetras
6 panda corys

that sounds fine but i think you will regret not getting the rams... they are nice, i have blue rams

I am thinking of getting:
2 lace gouramis(I have already got htem in my quaranitne tnak.
6 panda corys
7 rummy nose tetras
9 cardinal tetras
1 cockatoo dwarf cichlid.
Would that be ok? I am h\gettting a new filter for the tnak it is probobly going to be a Eheim Canister filter 2213.
Would thsi be ok?

I am getting:
2 lace gouramis
6 panda corys
7 rummy nose tetras
9 cardinal tetras
1 peppermint catfish
PH:6-7
GH:6GH
KH:2-3KH
temp: 25 degrees
Will this be ok?

Ia ctually am getting:
2 lace gouramis
6 padna corys
6 rummy nose tetras
6 cardinal tetras
4 pristella tetras
1 peppermint catfish
I have an eheim 2213 classic and an aquaclear 200.

Will labrakitty ever decide to end this post? Seems highly doubtful

truth be told, i've been following this post for quite a while. 141 posts!! sweet lordy mama!

all i can say is: Sirbooks, you have the patience of a saint. to try to pursuade the unpersuadable with such sincerity and good will - bless you, books.

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Back in the saddle!

peppermint catfish

whats that? (I searched FP but couldnt find it)

It is a type of ancistrus I think it is the ancistrus dolichopterus. Go to planet catfish and look at startlight brsitel nose catfish. Tehy are goergous!

thanx

Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today I got my first corys! I have changed the stocking again I saw some Schwartzi corys at my lfs and they were on sale for $16 or 2 for $30. I also had 3 pandas which I have reserved a while ago. Then I saw the true Julii and I had to have them too!!!!!!! The Julii are a bit more common so I decided to get: 3 panda corys and 3 schwartzi corys. I need info about the schwartzi cory please! I got tetra sinking tablets and tetra planton sinking tablets and frozen bloodworm. I have the 3 pandas in my quarantine tank and the 3 schwartzis in my 126 litre. My stocking for the 126 is now:
2 lace gouramis
4 pristella tetras
3 schwartzi corys

So all together now I am going to have:
2 lace gouramis
4 pristella tetras
8 rummy nose tetras
3 panda corys
3 schwartz corys
3 julii corys
1 peppermint catfish (ancistrus dolichopterus)
I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thread is closed.

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