what Kind of Cichilds could go in a 20gal
- Thread starter Ghostrider172
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i would personally avoid rams, as they are not nearly as hardy as they are popular...
how about shell dwellers?
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/shelldweller_corner.php
M
how about shell dwellers?
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/shelldweller_corner.php
M
what you choose to do is fine, but that is NOT a good practice to get into.... the benefits and science behind water changes is well proven and documented, to the extent that water changes should be a common practice of all hobbyists.
this is an paragraph from Dr. Uwe Romer's cichlid atlas for south american dwarfs about the blue ram Mikrogeophagus ramirezi:
"in contrast to common belief however, M. ramirezi is by no means a fish for the beginner. exceptional water quality is demanded. nitrogenous wastes have a distinctly negative impact on the general health of this species, resulting in an abbervaited life span."
"under optimal husbandry conditions, my specimens of M. ramirezi achieved an average life span of three years. this species usually perishes after just one year if its captive enviornment varies substantially from that of its natural habitat."
this has been my experience with blue rams on several occasions. no matter HOW many water changes i performed they would never live more than a few months in my semi-hard water (ph-7.8).
what type of new world cichlids are you talking about? dumping fish into your tank that you know nothing about is a bad idea to say the least.
not doing water changes to remove nitrates is also a very bad....and ignorant idea as well.
M
this is an paragraph from Dr. Uwe Romer's cichlid atlas for south american dwarfs about the blue ram Mikrogeophagus ramirezi:
"in contrast to common belief however, M. ramirezi is by no means a fish for the beginner. exceptional water quality is demanded. nitrogenous wastes have a distinctly negative impact on the general health of this species, resulting in an abbervaited life span."
"under optimal husbandry conditions, my specimens of M. ramirezi achieved an average life span of three years. this species usually perishes after just one year if its captive enviornment varies substantially from that of its natural habitat."
this has been my experience with blue rams on several occasions. no matter HOW many water changes i performed they would never live more than a few months in my semi-hard water (ph-7.8).
what type of new world cichlids are you talking about? dumping fish into your tank that you know nothing about is a bad idea to say the least.
not doing water changes to remove nitrates is also a very bad....and ignorant idea as well.
M
once again, that is fine and you may do as you wish...
however, this site is for the ADVANCEMENT of the hobby, and i will not sit idly by and be taken back X years ago when 'old-tank water' was considered gold.
performing water changes is more than just opinion or speculation, it IS proven science and you would be hard pressed to find any advanced literature about aquarium husbandry that doesnt state it as a required practice.
read some of the literature about Jack Wattley....he changes 90% of the water daily on some of his tanks....you simply wont find any evidence contrary to this.
M
however, this site is for the ADVANCEMENT of the hobby, and i will not sit idly by and be taken back X years ago when 'old-tank water' was considered gold.
performing water changes is more than just opinion or speculation, it IS proven science and you would be hard pressed to find any advanced literature about aquarium husbandry that doesnt state it as a required practice.
read some of the literature about Jack Wattley....he changes 90% of the water daily on some of his tanks....you simply wont find any evidence contrary to this.
M
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that is like saying "i just leave toxic compounds in my tank to build up"
there is no better way to remove nitrates, phenols, hormones, colorants, phosphates, and other dissolved organic compounds than by doing a partial water change.
would you rather live in a toilet with 75% urine, or in a toilet with 25% urine after a water change?
dilution is the solution
M
there is no better way to remove nitrates, phenols, hormones, colorants, phosphates, and other dissolved organic compounds than by doing a partial water change.
would you rather live in a toilet with 75% urine, or in a toilet with 25% urine after a water change?
dilution is the solution
M
Actually, water is changed in the wild not just through evaporation, but through rivers running into the lakes, natural runoff, plants, rain, etc.
Your tank is not a natural environment, no matter how natural you try to make it, so nature will indeed take it's course and kill your fish.
I know many people have gone long periods without water changes, but we now know that water changes are essential to a fishes health.
Your tank is not a natural environment, no matter how natural you try to make it, so nature will indeed take it's course and kill your fish.
I know many people have gone long periods without water changes, but we now know that water changes are essential to a fishes health.
I used to keep a 10gal with 2 giant danios and some barbs and I never did a water change. and I only had a air stone for a filter. They lived for some time, And they seemed healthy, no decorations in the tank either.....(I was young and it was before the internet) I just kept fish how my dad always did.
But I have read and studied and I feel if you are not doing water changes and your fish are doing good it is a fluke. It might work for you.
Could be the way your water comes outta the tap... something that leads them to stay healthy. And because you cant ask the fish we will never know.
But I would recomend to anyone starting that they change there water. It wont hurt. And really can only do good. Unless your tank ph is way low because of CO2 injection and your tap water is pH 8.0 or something.
Ill say this starbury. Give the water changes a shot. I cant believe how well my tank is doing now. And how well my fish seem to be doing now. If you dont want to thats fine. But you might be surprised if you do.
This is a question to all you other people.
Could it be that the anarobic bacteria in a tank that dosent have its water changed is converting the nitrates back into NO gas. Or whatever denitrification coils do. And when you top the tanks off with water you replenish lost trace elements......
I know my 10gallons have to be topped about 2 times a week and thats with a water change.
Thats the only thing I could think of that would explain how a tank like that isnt killing fish with all those nitrates. (maybe lots of plants?)
Lev
But I have read and studied and I feel if you are not doing water changes and your fish are doing good it is a fluke. It might work for you.
Could be the way your water comes outta the tap... something that leads them to stay healthy. And because you cant ask the fish we will never know.
But I would recomend to anyone starting that they change there water. It wont hurt. And really can only do good. Unless your tank ph is way low because of CO2 injection and your tap water is pH 8.0 or something.
Ill say this starbury. Give the water changes a shot. I cant believe how well my tank is doing now. And how well my fish seem to be doing now. If you dont want to thats fine. But you might be surprised if you do.
This is a question to all you other people.
Could it be that the anarobic bacteria in a tank that dosent have its water changed is converting the nitrates back into NO gas. Or whatever denitrification coils do. And when you top the tanks off with water you replenish lost trace elements......
I know my 10gallons have to be topped about 2 times a week and thats with a water change.
Thats the only thing I could think of that would explain how a tank like that isnt killing fish with all those nitrates. (maybe lots of plants?)
Lev
It's obvious you are going to do as you please.
Water changes are important for the health of your fish, just because they are alive doesn't mean they are at thier healthiest.
My pl*co is only 3 years old and he is about 14 inches, so maybe the better water quality helped him grow faster? (of course pl*co's are extremly hardy and can withstand some nasty water conditions anyway, so I'm not surprised your's is 6 years old, but kinda surprised he is that small)
I hope your fish do well without the water changes, I just don't see why you are against what is known as good practice for the fish owner, and good for the fish?
Water changes are important for the health of your fish, just because they are alive doesn't mean they are at thier healthiest.
My pl*co is only 3 years old and he is about 14 inches, so maybe the better water quality helped him grow faster? (of course pl*co's are extremly hardy and can withstand some nasty water conditions anyway, so I'm not surprised your's is 6 years old, but kinda surprised he is that small)
I hope your fish do well without the water changes, I just don't see why you are against what is known as good practice for the fish owner, and good for the fish?
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