FIRST EVER FISH TANK JOURNAL

hey fish tank people

DAY 1:

Im starting my first tank today bout a used 20gallon with everything but a light and a hood for $40. i brought it home and cleaned it for 2 days i took apart the filter and cleaned every single litle peice i could find in it. sadly the tank came with two fish that the owner no longer wanted anything to do with the are 1 rapheas catfish and 1 cherry barb. the cherry barb is a fish that is supposed to be kept in schools and since it has not it has become stressed over time and become very aggressive to even fish as big as angels most of the cherry barbs fins are torn and he has trouble swimming right. the catfish is hiding and will not come out until feeding time because of the cherry barb i am not too worried about this because he is still eating his food every time i feed him.

DAY 2:

I went to the pet store today and bought a glass top for the fish tank, eco complete, and fish food. i assembled the glass top for my tank and put it on straight away i think it gives it a sleek new look. The eco complete is sadly going to sit in my room for the whole summer since i am away i realized it would be better to start planting and buying fish after the summer to insure i was here to take care of them.

DAY 3:

i returned to the pet store after remembering i forgot to buy ph strips i bought the ph strips and as i was walking to the counter i saw the fish i just had to take a look it was very tempting i saw all the fish and i could resist buying some otos i bought 3 otos and each one was $3.95 i beleive i payed a good price but if you disagree leave a comment below. after i left the pet store i let them adjust to my tank and then added them to they tank they quickly found there favorite spots amongst the walls of the tank i am happy i made this decision.

DAY 4:

today was long and boring i had exams today because im 13 which was not fun. when i got home i looked in my tank and knew right away something was missing i pondered over this for 5 minutes and figure it out one of my otos disappeared. i couldn't figure out where he had gone (any suggestions of where he might of gone would be good) i also today did a 20% water change today and the fish are doing good

any suggestions on what to do with the cherry barb because since i got him alone he is very aggressive.

DAY 5;

today i went to the only other local pet store in my area they had alot more selection of fish but did not have as good conditions for the fish and the tanks had alot of algea growing everywhere i was thinking of only choosing fish in the cleaner tanks there because of the selection. my other fish store is alot cleaner and i have tlked to the manger a couple of times about differant things for my fish tank. which place do u guys think would be better for fish?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on June 10, 2012 at 11:31pm

Sounds like you're having fun. Filters are nice but don't forget to change the water. The faucet is your real filter. And throw some plants in - even if its just some duckweed. Fish and plants go together like salt and pepper. You'll need light for the plants - sunlight is best if you can get it.

Your Otto's are gonna want some algae to munch on; so let some algae grow on the sides of the aquarium.

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Permalink Reply by Croc on June 11, 2012 at 3:09pm

thanks robert for the info i left some algea on the corners when i was cleaning for the ottos cus i knew i was going to get them. they are really active and are allways chasing each other and having fun. i will get some plants after the summer because i am away all summer and the person i am using to watch my house only knows about feeeding the fish and water changes so ill wait till after the summer to add plants i wil heavily plant it

thxs for the comment i really appreciate the help any suggestions for fish would be great!

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on June 12, 2012 at 12:10am

Yeah, your otto is in one of two places - inside the tank or outside of it. Not sure if they're jumpers or not but they're very strong swimmers and certainly capable of jumping.

For the summer throw some duckweed or water cabbage in the tank - no care necessary. When it starts to cover the waters surface the caretaker can just throw some of it out with the water changes.

I could make lots of recommendations on fish but I say go with whatever is most fun. Some perennial favorites are Guppies and Angel Fish, but its YOUR fish tank. Do what moves you. It is a hobby after all. Did you see Dustin's video about getting a piranha when he was in college? Pretty funny. I kept a 2 foot snakehead in my pond when I was about the same age. I'm sure you'll do the necessary research on whatever fish you get. And as far as the barb goes... if any fish in your tank bullies its tank-mates, giving it away is your only compassionate and responsible choice. In nature fish can swim away from bullies, but in aquariums YOU are their only escape.

Test your tap water - that will be the water your fish live in. If contains chloramine you'll have to buy a conditioner. Chlorine, on the other hand, is not that bad. In fact it acts as a germicide in small amounts. Just don't change more than 25% of the water with it in a single sitting.

Sounds like you got the situation under control Smilez. Enjoy the summer.