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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 9, 2009 15:48:47 GMT -5
Hmm, well thanks for the knowledge on live aquaria. Im REALLY interested in this one type of fish they have www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+886+1053&pcatid=1053 and idk if ANYwhere else sells it. (the price yesterday was on sale for 8.99) and id assume you buy a school of like 4-5. My only worry is paying that much for fish, when in my experience with my tank, all my fish have died off. But those are my dream fish. Which part is a good idea? leaving it empty as a medical tank or putting a betta in? If i was to buy these www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+881+941&pcatid=941how many (if they got sick) could i put into my 5gal hexagon tank without over crowding it? Thanks for that tip, yeah i could see myself paying more for a high quality betta considering they live so long. Im going to PM her. And thanks for explaining why they arent eating (most likely), that really helps me understand why 2-3 bettas wouldnt eat , i got them all at petsmart (the same store).
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Post by Carl on Dec 9, 2009 16:46:57 GMT -5
The Boesmain Rainbow is really nice fish IMO, with care level a little more difficult than easy (as noted on the liveaquaria page).
A school is best, and these Rainbows need plenty of room, but your 40 gallon is a good size for them. $8.99 is a good price from what I have seen including wholesale costs
The Zebra Danio is one of the easiest fish to keep there is IMO and could be placed in a 5 gallon Hex provding good filtration and heat is provided. My only qualification would be if this tank has had any of the fish from past problems have been in this tank, it too should be bleached.
Carl
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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 9, 2009 18:27:04 GMT -5
Im glad you think so highly of the Rainbow, i think its the prettiest fish iv seen, do you think it would be good of having a 4 school of them and maybe a 9 school of danio? Im glad also at what you said about the danio, im glad its the easiest to take care of cause i plan on getting thoses, obviously assuming that they meet my tap water standard. One danio could be placed in there? or if 5-9(the whole school) was sick they could all be put in there? The hex has great heating, and im using the standard mechanical filtration that came with the tank, there isnt a lot more room left to put a sponge filter or anything, and the filtration is built into the top of the tank.
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Post by Carl on Dec 9, 2009 19:35:12 GMT -5
Kagome loves Rainbows too, she has a busy schedule right now, but might be along with further insights 5 Zebra Danios would likely be good in the 5 Hex, make sure that there is some form of bio filtrations, even if you cut a an aquarium scrubing pad as a bio filter to place in the top filter (See this article: Aquarium Answers; Filter Media Types) Carl
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 11, 2009 2:10:25 GMT -5
i believe he has the same hex tank i was using for my guppy fry. if so it has a built in undergravel system with a simple air stone snaked down the undergravel tube through the top of the hood with a small incandecent light and a mini air pump to power your small air stone?
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 11, 2009 2:16:46 GMT -5
Im glad you think so highly of the Rainbow, i think its the prettiest fish iv seen, do you think it would be good of having a 4 school of them and maybe a 9 school of danio? Im glad also at what you said about the danio, im glad its the easiest to take care of cause i plan on getting thoses, obviously assuming that they meet my tap water standard. One danio could be placed in there? or if 5-9(the whole school) was sick they could all be put in there? The hex has great heating, and im using the standard mechanical filtration that came with the tank, there isnt a lot more room left to put a sponge filter or anything, and the filtration is built into the top of the tank. Kagome loves Rainbows too, she has a busy schedule right now, but might be along with further insights 5 Zebra Danios would likely be good in the 5 Hex, make sure that there is some form of bio filtrations, even if you cut a an aquarium scrubing pad as a bio filter to place in the top filter (See this article: Aquarium Answers; Filter Media Types) Carl also carl has access to all his articles and he gave me one in one of my threads about overstocking and how frequent waterchanges and personal extra care of the tank can make it possible for a period of time but not for long lifespans. if i track that article down ill modify this post with the article attatchment added in. if not carl im sure you will read this and post in in for sure later. if your hex tank is the same then you may want to look at this video. theres a clip at the begining of my small hex tank full of male guppies definately overstocked by all means but still possible due to A. not there lifelong home. B. proper water changes and water quality. C. they only shared the tank long enough to be sold. but just a glimmer of hope for your tiny isolation tank. with the proper knowledge and water changes and water parameters you can definately isolate multiple fish in a small tank given you have the time to moniter and test and change the water frequently. Also myself and im sure alot of others on this site will not recomend trying this its just an instance i felt i could share to help you.
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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 11, 2009 4:03:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, i kinda was hoping that to be the case, that as long as its not long term, you can keep a higher than advertised amount of fish in a tank that's small like my 5 gallon. I saw your tank, no mine isnt like that. It is this: www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752369&lmdn=Brand It has the typical mechanical filtering of a tube that pulls over water, pushes it over a filter media pad thats replaced every 3-4 weeks i think, and thats it. When i used to test its levels how ever, i dont remember ever seeing any changes that didnt seem normal or drastic. So though im sure it could use a sponge filter or something , it seems pretty stable on its own. But as for what carl said if i didnt mention it, i will do that with the sponge (should i put the sponge in the place where the media pad is, or use them both?) and i will also fully bleach out my 5 gallon as well as my 40 gallon.
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 11, 2009 14:51:41 GMT -5
you just have the larger version of the same exact tank but i prefer yours over mine. i really dont think my undergravel did anything other then oxyginate the water. most of the work was in twice daily 50 percent water changes and alot of prime to isolate the amount of amonia that would affect the fish. there was lots of it in there main reason why i had to so many water changes on it. i eventually got tired of the upkeep and had to seperate all females from males and sell the males and i kept a female for along time after but i finally sold her to a 2 year old girl for a 10 cents as a first pet. [/quote]also carl has access to all his articles and he gave me one in one of my threads about overstocking and how frequent waterchanges and personal extra care of the tank can make it possible for a period of time but not for long lifespans. if i track that article down ill modify this post with the article attatchment added in. if not carl im sure you will read this and post in in for sure later.[/quote] Aquarium Answers; Determining The Maximum Aquarium Size For The Fish To Be Kept ^^ www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2008/07/aquarium-size-stunting.htmltheres article carl sent me i found it after i was fully awake this morning sorry i did not have the mentality to find it last night when i said i would.
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Post by kagome on Dec 13, 2009 0:24:22 GMT -5
I actually have three Boesemani rainbow fish as well as two emerald rainbow fish and one Australian rainbow fish. The rainbows are very active and colorful and are great to watch. They are also greedy and messy eaters so I suggest that you keep them with some sort of cleaner fish such as cory catfish to eat the food they miss.
Although they are not overly delicate fish they do need to be kept in a well maintained aquarium. They need a good heater that will keep the temp completely stable, good filtration and a lot of aeration and flow help as well. I have my rainbows in a 38g and I do a 50% water change with the gravel vacuum every other week. Also, they will have much better color if they are feed a that includes a lot of Spirulina algae. I ordered some Spirulina 20 from Carl and it has boosted their color even more and they gobble it up. Also, they do swim in and out of tall plants sometimes but the majority of a rainbow tank should be open swim space. They do not hang out in caves instead staying out in the open 99.99% of the time. They do chase each other a little bit sometimes but I would not call them aggressive at all, they're just big bluffers. They mostly ignore fish of other species. I have my rainbows in with 5 peppered cories, and two bushy nose plecos.
Overall I think these fish are really awesome and I highly recommend them to anyone who has the space. A school of 4-5 would probably be good. You will find they are very entertaining fish that you can watch for hours at a time.
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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 13, 2009 2:32:48 GMT -5
Awesome all of that is great to know, i am curious of two things, Do you feed them more than just spirulina 20 ? and what store's would you recommended trying to find them? Im kinda betting that walmart/petco/petsmart dont have them ever, but maybe im wrong. Im curious about Liveaquaria.com cause they are the only place iv ever seen them.
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 13, 2009 11:59:52 GMT -5
petsmart atleast in my area carries some rainbows. but i wouldnt trust there quality.
your best bet would be to search the internet for pet stores in your state or tri county area and just start writing down phone numbers and and make some calls ask around if anyone knows anyone that has them or if they can order them.
and always when ordering fish from a pet store weather it be credible or questionable you still need to isolate and treat the fish either in a bath or isolation tank to try and prevent spread of whatever diseases the store may have from getting into your tank.
carl has many articles on the introduction of new fish to the Aquarium and how to do a salt bath. acclimation, prevention of temperature and ph shock. also even if your not sure about your ammonia levels it wont hurt to add the recomended dosage of prime or something similar to hold those toxic ammonia to where there harmless until your biological filter can get rid of them.
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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 13, 2009 14:11:57 GMT -5
With the lack of any around besides petco, and the high price of them (30$ for 4/5) im thinking il just go with the zebra danios. But thanks for telling me about the bath / iso tank, that reminded me to look at carl's article.
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 13, 2009 14:33:15 GMT -5
im sure there is some in your area your just not looking in the right places. or there under the radar mom and pop shops that dont advertise on television or magazines or anything for that matter they just let there store and quality advertise for them.
but zebra danios are interesting little boogers. whatever you choose im sure you will enjoy. i admire the fact your not giving up and decided to start all over again. i hope this time with the right guidance and advise it may be better this time around.
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Post by Carl on Dec 13, 2009 14:56:07 GMT -5
Awesome all of that is great to know, i am curious of two things, Do you feed them more than just spirulina 20 ? and what store's would you recommended trying to find them? Im kinda betting that walmart/petco/petsmart dont have them ever, but maybe im wrong. Im curious about Liveaquaria.com cause they are the only place iv ever seen them. I know I sold them when I had my store, as well I know most FW wholesalers stock Rainbows, as their popularity is increasing. Maybe look further a field or give liveaquaria a try Carl
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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 13, 2009 16:01:51 GMT -5
Yeah, idk how popular fish are for aquariums in seattle, you would think very popular considering we are like seafood central, but idk. Yeah its possible im missing some, but if they arent on the net with a website, then i wont find them cause im not gonna drive around looking for a mom and pop store.
Yeah i might give live-aquaria a try sometime down the line, for now i think il go with the danios, they are only .99Cents each
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Post by kagome on Dec 14, 2009 0:21:45 GMT -5
I bought all of my fish at a mom and pop fish stores. Try pulling out the phone book and just calling around to some of the places and asking if they have the Boesemani. Make sure to ask for the specific species of rainbow that you want because there are quite a few on the market these days and it would not be fun to drive all the way down there only to discover that they meant they had Australians when you wanted the Boesemani. I paid $10 a piece for my Boesemani and $20 a piece for the Emeralds. Also, remember that no rainbow fish, even Boesemani are as brightly colored when they are still juveniles. But with a good diet they color up pretty quickly. I feed mine Spirulina 20, freeze dried brine shrimp, and a few times a week they get frozen bloodworms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp/spirulina mix and a couple of times a month they get cooked shelled peas. They will also eat chunks off of the algae wafers I toss in for my plecos. Now, I'm not saying that you have to feed the frozen food and the peas, they just really like it and it helps vary their diet a bit.
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 14, 2009 14:19:21 GMT -5
www.yellowpages.com/Seattle-WA/Pet-Storeswrongcrowd.com/staticpages/index.php/lfswww.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Pet+Stores/S-WA/T-Seattle/Aquarist World 9409 Delridge Way, Seattle WA 98106 (206) 767-1878 Blue Sierra Exotic Fish and Pet Supply 90 Front Street South, Issaquah WA 98027 (425) 392-5360 Conway Tropical Fish 18612 Main, Conway WA 98238 (360) 445-6003 Denny's Pet World 12534 120th Ave NE, Kirkland WA 98034 (Totem Lake Mall) (425) 821-3800 King's Discus 805 S. King Street, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 264-1666 Liem's Aquarium and Bird Shop 511A Maynard Aly S, Seattle, WA 98104 (International District (206) 624-0537 A Place For Pets 431 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166 (206) 244-3502 Sierra Fish and Pets Loehmanns Plaza 425-641-9240 sorry if im being pushy but i just dont believe in the excuse that there isnt any pet stores in my area. there always is people just get lazy sometimes or dont do there searching first before hopping in the car and driving around. Please give these links a little look and get out your phone and call and ask for some bosomoni rainbows and the price and where exactly they are located. that way you can find them very easy. i did all the searching for you. if you need more stores in the seatle area all i did was google search aquarium stores in the seatle area. and i got about 1000000 links to lists of stores in your area. just skim through and call each one up.
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 14, 2009 14:44:03 GMT -5
another quick tip before you head out to the stores to pick your fish up. ask either an employee preferably the manager of the fish department about how they filter their display tanks (the tanks that you see the fish in that they scoop em out into the bag from) if they use 1 large sump or canister filter for the whole 20-1000 tanks you see with fish in them. you may want to reconsider your purchase especially if you do a subtle walk through and see a dead fish in a tank or two. there same tank water is going to be the same tank water in the bag you pick your fish up in. its simple request to ask them and it may be the main decider on if you will b e a permanent customer in the future.
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Post by nathanp2007 on Dec 14, 2009 16:54:39 GMT -5
Thats all nice and good and thanks and all, but i dont drive so like i said, driving around, even if i know the destination, isnt gonna happen. I can get stuff from petco (the danios for 89 cents each) so the rainbows will have to wait a while, cause i cant get anywhere that has good quality rainbows.
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Post by corycatwoman on Dec 14, 2009 18:20:26 GMT -5
you dont have a transit or citylink type bussing in seatle? it usually only costs a dollar or possibly 2 dollars round trip using local bus stations. i just think it would be wise to call around rather then settling for petco.
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