Introduce Myself and open for advice

[lordgreggreg]

Hello Everyone, My name is Greg and I am from Texas, in case you haven’t gotten a chance to read my profile. I am pretty much a novice at the aquatics scene however I am quite addicted to it and find myself getting wrapped into it. I ran across this forum a few days ago when I was sweating in a 5 hour long internet marathon, looking for information about ICH. The sticky you guys have up was extremely useful. (I didn't have a bad case o ich, like, max of 5 spots on my biggest loach, my parents lafed at me because I was so paranoid about it). Anyhow, I have a 55 gallon tank, and was at petsmart looking for the best fish my fiancée and I would like to stock it with. We both fell in love with the clown loaches there and (since I had done a bit of research before I left) bought 7 of them so they would be happy in their group. They weren’t eating much the first day, so I did a pretty extensive search online to find out their favorite food (they went nuts for bloodworms and algae wafers the next day). That’s when I realized I was in a lot of trouble. I think petsmart max size was 3-4 inches, and you have actual proof of them getting about a foot long, I was completely bewildered, but unfortunately completely in love with these little clowns. Right now they are about the only really interesting fish in there as the rest are just a couple of tetras and gold barbs I used to cycle the tank. I have decided that I can't resist getting rid of these guys, and have decided that once they seem to be begining to fit my tank, I should have the money saved up to upgrade it, or if not, find a suitable home for them. Hopefully they can last a few years till I get my house as my ultimate plan is to have a huge 500-1000 gallon tank in my living room built specifically for clown loaches enjoyment. Anyhow, I think that is just about more than enough information from me, if you have any question or advice please feel free to tear me apart and let me know what I am doing wrong. (And if you see someone telling me to do something wrong please correct them too). I have a 55 gallon tank, with 1 table spoon of salt for every 20 gallons consistently (if for nothing than magical purposes). I have a well decorated tank with plenty of hiding spots, and plenty of plastic plants. I have 7 clowns (all babies at 1.5 inches), 1 Yoyo(1.7''), 4 gold barbs, 2 red jewel tetras, 3 black skirt tetras, 2 bloodfin tetras, 1 snowball pleco(2.5'') and 1 Zebra mosaic pleco(2.7''). All the tetras are less than an inch long. I plan to remove all tetras except for the jewels eventually. Also temporally visiting are my fiancée’s two fish, her glow fish zebra danio, and the common pleco (about 1.5 inches). I have 2 bio wheels, 2 filter places for carbon filtration (removed for medication atm) and some angles hair. This is all done by a wisper filter that hangs on the side of my tank. My friend and I fashioned a fiberglass lid to cover all areas of the tank. I have 2 bubble tubes going across the back of the tank for looks. I have also just built and extensive 20 Led lighting system that through water proof hot glue and some cloudy quarts crystals I have make a beautiful red lighting scheme.

Oh yeah! Most importantly, I have been taking daily (for the most part) chemical readings and have them all recorded online from about 2 weeks after I had water in the tank. Updated every five minutes thanks to google, http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... c-669108KA

Tests are taken with Mardel 5 in one test strip of paper for Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness, Alkalinity, and ph. Ph is checked by a weird "Live ph" thing that is supposed to constantly check the water. All ph readings are over-ridden by a test of 7 drops of stuff to 5ml made by "Tetra". Ammonia is read in the same fashion by a live reading and also a bottle test by API.

I encourage you to take a brief look at that web page, and note the tabs on the bottom.

[helen nightingale]

Hi Greg, and welcome to Loaches Online. it sounds like you have got the bug these fish are so addictive.

it sounds good that you have done some research on clown loaches. it will be worthwhile saving up for a huge tank for them, as they are so intelligent and entertaining. im glad to read that you got 7 so they have company, but do you realise the yoyos would prefer more company of the yoyo kind too? and possibly reconsider the magical properties of salt too. it isnt as magical as its cracked up to be, in my opinion (except if you have fish like mollies that need a little bit of salt)

i hope your loaches give you a lot of pleasure

[lordgreggreg]

possibly reconsider the magical properties of salt too. it isnt as magical as its cracked up to be, in my opinion

I have been hearing that alot about clown loaches. The last thing I want is more stress upon them. I think I am going to seriusly debate future water changes with no salt.

The people who first advised my to put salt in where at petsco, but now that I think about i, thier loaches looked awefull. They were greyed out in a very strange way, their black stripes where pretty strong, however; the orange on them was almost non existant and they were almost completly white! (they wernt listed as albino, and as far as i know, albino loaches dont exist)

do you realise the yoyos would prefer more company of the yoyo kind too?

I do realize that, bu I am concerned about overstoking my tank, expecially because I want it to last untill I can upgrade to the permanent size. I have been watching the Yoyo, and he seems to think he is a clown. He snuggles with the clowns, eats with them, and even clown dances. I supose even then he will be lonely?

[helen nightingale]

those loaches sound very stressed! they should definately not look like that. its sad that pet stores often dont know enough about the species they sell. i would cut the salt, as in general bottiine type loaches (including clowns) come from fast flowing rivers/streams on mountains rather than rivers that are influenced by the sea - so wouldnt come across saly naturally

[lordgreggreg]

as in general bottiine type loaches (including clowns) come from fast flowing rivers/streams on mountains rather than rivers that are influenced by the sea

Thats a good point, I'll start phasing it out in 2 days with my next water change.

[Emma Turner]

Hi lordgreggreg and welcome to Loaches Online!

I'm not familiar with the filter that you are using, so hopefully someone else who lives on the other side of the pond will be able to comment. Clown Loaches appreciate a decent amount of flow and oxygenation in the aquarium, and I'm not sure what kind of flow your filter provides. It can be very worthwhile adding a powerhead (or two) to any clown loach aquarium to provide them with the fast-flowing waters that they so enjoy. They can be quite messy fish (particularly as they start putting on a bit of weight) so it is usually best to use a filter that is rated for an aquarium bigger than the tank actually is.

And as Helen has already recommended, stop using the salt. I'm afraid that shop doesn't know what they are talking about.

Good luck,

Emma

[lordgreggreg]

I'm not familiar with the filter that you are using

I am useing a puinguin 330 thingy.
It along with all the bubleators I have provide a good water flow. (When putting in the green stuff to cure ICH it took about 30 seconds for the whole tank to be a consistant blue/green)

It can be very worthwhile adding a powerhead (or two) to any clown loach aquarium to provide them with the fast-flowing waters that they so enjoy

I plan to get then once I get a bigger tank and have some more money. Do you think it would provide too much flow in a 6ft 55 gallon tank?

Also, untill I can get the money for a big filter, I plan to do a waer change every 1-2 weeks. Is that a decent substitute?

I REALLY apreciate all the help I am getting. You guys are great! Thank you so much. Hopefully eventually I will be one of the ones answering question rather than asking.

[peacefulfishie]

Greg - you have a powerhead with your Penguin. It is sufficient for your tank size. The other bubble things you have going on are great, too. I just have an Aquaclear 300, a little whisper filter and an airstone and they are quite happy with that.

If you do use salt, you need to crank up the temp to at least 82, to get rid of the ICH. When you don't see anymore spots, back off of the salt, do water changes, but leave the temp up for a couple weeks.

I have 6 clowns - 3 about an inch and 3 about 1.5 inches.

[lordgreggreg]

f you do use salt, you need to crank up the temp to at least 82, to get rid of the ICH. When you don't see anymore spots, back off of the salt, do water changes, but leave the temp up for a couple weeks.

I have the temp at a steady 85f and it has been like that seince the second day of ich. First day was a water change and then medication. I am using a think called "super ich cure" by api. It has malachite green and nitrofurazone in it. I put a half dose in 3 days ago, and again yesterday night.

The 1.5 inch clown has 3 white spots on him, 2 other of the clowns are still flashing.

I plan to do a water change tomorw with another dose of medication.

Do you think i should go 3 days after white spots are gone? or a week?

Thank you very much for your reply!

[NancyD]

I'd go for a week after you don't see any spots, there may still be some in the gills. Although I haven't used the med with nitrofurizone, malachite green is light-sensitive I believe. Good luck. BTW I change 30-40% water weekly.
Nancy

[lordgreggreg]

malachite green is light-sensitive I believe.

Light sensitive in what way? Do I want to have the florecent light bulb on more or less often? I plan to do weekly water changes as well. Mabey after a few months whn everything settles down Ill go to 2 depnding on chemical readings.
Thank you for you post!

[lordgreggreg]

Thanks to a facebook tool created by some genuius, I am able to easily upload some pics on to flikr, so here are some pics of the ligting i was tlaking about.

Also, I would like it to be noted that I dont always have theose lights on, and that a few have been removed for technical reasons. Also, i have cleaned the glass seince then, and added more gravel to the lft side of my tank.


This is my tank at night with the lights on.


Tank with ALL lights on


This is a skull with a led behind it


Another cool pic


My bigest clown


The yoyo


Happy Loaches


I don't know why he's greyed out. He is the bigest one and seems to be pretty dominant..


I don't know why they were liking the rock so much that day.


Yup, theres all 7 of em. Moving to fast to get a good picture! Cute little on bearly stiking their head above the right side of the rock.

If you look closely by the rock and the crystal you can see a ghost shrimp. I fist bought them because I was told the clowns (and ghost knife that has been returned) would like them. Well, no one ate them and now they run around my tank eatin anyhting that touches the ground. Its cute to see them pick up an alage waer and run off with it! Its more than half their size!

[peacefulfishie]

Greg,

I would still go at least 2 weeks. I personally do not like using the Formalin, but then again I don't like using chemicals at all. Here is a link for you to read

http://aquafacts.net/wiki/index.php/Ich ... hite_Green

Here is another one

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_ich2.php

You have to stay on top of it. Good luck to my fellow Texan!

[poeticpyro]

don't worry about him being grayed-out my alpha is CONSTANTLY greyed out! it's all good. just keep them dancing and happy!

[lordgreggreg]

I don't like using chemicals at all

Hmm, I don't realy like the idea of chemicals either. But then again I don't like parasite poping into my loaches and eating out their insides either. I don't have much salt in the tnak now... I could increase it. But i have already started the chemicals so perhaps i should vacume some more to make it more effective... Either way i think ill raise the temperature a little bit higher for 2 days. Man, ill be sad if that stuff kills my loaches.. How can I tll if a medication is working?