just checking in to say hi

[brett_fishman]

hey all, been a month or so since i last logged in

still looking for some B. Kubotai for my 70g, the local fish shop that can order in fish cant find an importer than has kubotai in stock, they are in high demand apparently.. petsmart has some, but all the fish i bought from them died within days so i cant really trust them

anywho, the tank is fully stocked sans the botias:
2 pearl gouramis
10 harlequin rasboras
4 neon tetras
2 SAEs
1 female swordtail

im trying to get 6 kubotais, will they be fine with the SAEs or what.. i see Dutch has both species in his new tank and i didnt read anything about aggression so i'd assume they'd be fine

[plaalye]

I've also had trouble with Petsmart fish and don't buy there anymore, but I have options. If you have a Q-tank and could spend a month treating them for parasites etc. and getting them in shape it may be worth a try. they do have a 14 day money back gaurantee.

[brett_fishman]

i dont have a q-tank, im not alowed to get another tank, and the only other tank i have is the 10g with a solitary male betta in it so my options are kinda limited

a 10g would be too small to quarentine 6 kubs even if i could.. i have some rubbermaid tubs though, maybe i could use them?

my main LFS is a great shop, tons of variety, THEY DONT STOCK CLOWNS.. but the only loaches they ever have are dojos and kuhlis

the other LFS isnt so great.. they have a ton of pond supplies, but nothing for aquariums.. they have a few tanks set up and planted nice with minimal fish stock, but they can order any fish you want as long as it isnt too rare.. kubs seem to be too rare

[plaalye]

Maybe put the betta in a tub or bowl and just get 2 or 3 Kubs at a time in the 10 for quarantine, then get 2 or 3 more later if it works out.

[loachcoach]

im not alowed to get another tank(

Bummer....I'm really lucky....Hubby is very tolerant of my aquarium and motorcycle addictions.

They don't stock kubotai around here, either. My online source occasionally gets them in....I knew I should have gotten some last time they had them in stock....but I just wasn't ready. Now that I am, they don't have any

[plaalye]

Try to explain the wisdom of having a Q-tank to whoever won't let you have another. You really should quarantine fish no matter where you buy them. If you can get permission for another small tank check your local craigslist. I see 5 and 10 gallon set-ups for next to nothing here on a regular basis. Good luck!

[brett_fishman]

alrighty, i'll explain it to my parents.. all i really need is a tank, filter, heater, some gravel and a couple plants/caves

if i buy it all new at petsmart it'll be about $90.. all the used 10-15 gallon setups i see on craigslist and in the local buy/sell are usually $100 and in really bad condition so i'd need atleast new media, heater and gravel, i dont want to spend that much time on it cleaning and such

if i get another aquaclear mini for the q-tank (which i intend on), i can take the media basket out of my current 10g and put it into the Q for instant bacteria, then i can quarentine 3 kubs for 2-3 weeks before getting the other 3

[loachfan]

Hi, if you are still looking for B. kubotai there is a really good petstore in Vancouver, BC. I don't know where you are in BC but I do know that the owner of the store will ship. She shipped me B. kubotai and I live in Edmonton, Alberta.

Her website is http://www.petsbeautiful.com/ and she is also a sponsor on the fish forum BCAquaria. Good luck, my kubs are gorgeous and fun to watch!

[plaalye]

WOW Thats expensive! I've gotten a few for free and I see them for 15-30 bucks for the whole set-up pretty often. If want to choose your components like aquaclear filters it's a bit less likely.
I'd think about a month for the quarantine. I did almost 3 weeks and then had ich 2 days after I added the fish to the main tank. Since then others have suggested a month and next time I will heed the advice!

[brett_fishman]

loachfan, i was a frequent member on BCAquaria for a while, then stopped, now im only on 2 forums.. i live in parksville, just north of nanaimo on vancouver island, i'll look into ordering from her although b. kubotai isnt on her stock list

plaalye, i know i wouldnt need the aquaclear filter, but they are the only kind of filter i have ever used.. what would you recommend? an internal canister?

[starsplitter7]

For a Q-tank, I wouldn't even bother with gravel and if you use plants, use plastic ones you can boil afterwards. I break down my Q-tank when I don't need it and put the filter on my main tank. Then I have a little extra filtration and a mature filter when I need one. I use a coconut hut for shelter, and boil it between quarantines. I don't use lights in quarantine either. But I am sure others do.

For me a Q-tank cost: $10 for the 10 gallon tank, $15 for the heater, $25 for the filter, $5 fake plants and $4 for a cocout hut. $60 if I bought the pieces separately. I picked up one at Walmart for $40 and added $10 for the decor. I know prices in Canada are higher. And every penny counts.

Good luck. It's a great investment, especially when a fish gets sick and needs a little peace and quiet.

[plaalye]

I love aquaclear filers and they're all I use if I have the choice. My point was that when you buy used, and cheap, you can't always get exactly what you want. But for a Q-tank you don't need much.

[brett_fishman]

ok, so when i estimated $90 for the q-tank heres what i factored in:

$15 for tank (and screen top)
$25 filter (aquaclear mini)
$20 heater (tronic or visitherm?)
$10 for 10 lbs of gravel
$20 for plants and a cave

i'd think having gravel in the tank would aid in making the fish more comfortable, especially bottom dwellers.. it'd be easy enough to scoop it out and boil in a pot of water when it comes around to disinfecting

[starsplitter7]

You are right. There is a different between a hospital and a Q-tank. When you use it as a hospital, having no gravel keeps it cleaner. When I use mine as a Q-tank, I do throw in a little gravel, but more to help mature the tank (I use a handful from a mature tank). The fishies do okay in the Q-tank. And heaters by you are much more important than by me.

I do hope you can save up and present your case to your parents.

[brett_fishman]

thanks for the idea of using gravel from another tank, i have like 75 lbs in my 70g.. which is more than enough, so i can always take enough out to make a nice 2" layer in the 10g q-tank

good heaters are a must around here.. its canada! but seriously fish will die if the water gets too cold, which it will if you dont have a heater

i have plenty of money for this, im 18 and just got a new job at the mini golf.. ballin! what i need money for is the new dirtbike im buying next weekend