Fish Q&A

How to make a vegetated aquarium?

Question by : How to make a vegetated aquarium?
I’ve been fascinated by all those underwater landscapes and such that it makes me want to make something like that. What are some tips and hints? Are there any tutorials to show how to make one? Where can I get some aquarium plants to make them? I’m planning on getting a 10g+ aquarium and making it really nice for my fishes. My mom wants me to get a star fish and other sea creatures. Any tips on how to take care of salt water fishes? What items and materials do I need. What are some foods based on for them? Water temperature and such.

Best answer:

Answer by el0w
You can’t have a planted tank with salt water. It’s either a saltwater or freshwater tank. Planted tanks are freshwater. You can get many real plants at Petsmart and Petco, but those plants suck. If you like the real natural looking landscapes, then look up some ADA tanks and iwagumi. Those are the most natural looking in my opinion.

For a planted tank, regular old gravel won’t do. You have to get substrate. Eco complete is a good one that is easy to get. You can get it at Petco for a little over $ 20. ADA Aquasoil is one of the best substrates but there’s a shortage on it atm so it’s extremely hard to find. If you do find it, expect to pay a big load of $ $ for small bag. Since you’re a beginner, I wouldn’t suggest going all out iwagumi style. Those tanks require lots of maintenance and $ $ so I would suggest those tanks for more dedicated hobbyists.

Light is one of the most important things you need. Some plants require low light and some require high. Good lights for planted tanks are really expensive. I would suggest for you to go low light and buy a bunch of low light plants. Try getting a fluorescent light for your 10 gal. If I were on a low light budget, I’d prolly do an anubias tank. Anubias are very hardy and looks really nice when you have tons of it. Anubias is also pretty expensive – about 7 bucks for a regular sized piece. You would need quite a bit. After you have some, just let it grow and cut the rhizomes in half and tie on a different part of the driftwood. DO NOT BURY ANUBIAS. They will rot. The best way to grow anubias is to tie it on a piece of driftwood with some fishing line or sewing thread.

Many people will say you need fertilizers. If you’re doing low light, I wouldn’t worry too much on that. For high light planted tanks, you would need CO2 and fertilizers.

Here’s some cool anubias/low light tanks –

If you want to look at some very nice natural looking scapes, just look up iwagumi or ADA style tanks.

EDIT – Oh, I apologize. I don’t know anything about saltwater. Had no idea you could have plants in it. Explains why there are plants at the beach lol.. I’m not sure if he’s looking for a saltwater landscape though. The way he asked the question seems like he wants a natural valley type looking scape..

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Chinese Water Dragon Aquarium Tips?

Question by Shane W: Chinese Water Dragon Aquarium Tips?
I need to upgrade my CWD aquarium. I want to upgrade it to a 55 gallon. Where can I buy one? Like at a Petco or Petsmart? Also, i want to put a humidifier/ fogger in there and maybe a waterfall. I want him to enjoy it alot. Any tips? also do you have pics you can share? Thanks!
Sorry, I live in the U.S.

Best answer:

Answer by Lucia Qiu
Are you in China? And which city are you live in?
If you are in Beijing, you can go to the market in Yu Quan Road, which sells the whole things relevant to the birds, flowers and fishes. The market’s Chinese name is 玉泉路花鸟鱼虫市场. You can arrive at there by bus No. 337,452，472,473，728,736, or 941. Or you can go to 官园花鸟鱼虫市场 or 十里河天骄市场 I am so sorry that I don’t know translate their names in English, Guan Yuan Market of flowers, birds and fishes? So I think you can consult the dictionary. But I know that most Peking men buy those things in there. My grandfather bought the aquarium in the十里河天骄市场( Shi Li He Market)
Or you can send an e-mail to 1308262481@qq.com I got this information in http://www.hyszbj.com/ maybe they can give you more help and tips.

I hope this answer is useful.

BTW:
Do you want to have a Chinese Course, which can make your life in China easier and more colorful through such as improving your oral Chinese? So If you are in Beijing and want to learn Chinese in professional ways, you can go to Elite Learning. They have Chinese Course to foreigners now. Calling 010-59359595-0 or going to http://elitelearning.5d6d.com/forum-4-1.html will give you more information. Or you can leave me a message.

Good Luck : )

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Find the work needed to pump half of the water out of the aquarium.?

by Motelface

Question by : Find the work needed to pump half of the water out of the aquarium.?
An aquarium 2m long, 1m wide, and 1m deep is full of water. find the work needed to pump half of water out of the aquarium (use the fact that the density of water is 1000 kg/m^3)

Best answer:

Answer by chauncy
I assume the water is to be pumped to the height of the top of the aquarium.

The first thing to notice is that you don’t need to use calculus. We can assume the water is of constant density, so the work required will be equal to the work required to raise a point mass equal to the mass of the water to be pumped and located at its centre of gravity.

The water to be pumped has an elevation of 0.5 to 1 metre.
Thus the centre of gravity of the water to be pumped has an elevation of 0.75 metres, so the point mass has to be raised through a height of 0.25 metres.

Work done = potential energy gained = mgh

where m = mass, g = acceleration due to gravity and h = height

Mass = volume * density
Thus the mass of the water = 2 m * 1 m * 0.5 m * 1,000 kg/m^3
= 1,000 kg

g = 9.8 m/s^2

So the work required to pump half of the water out of the aquarium
= 1,000 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 0.25 m
= 2,450 Joules

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How can I rig good aquarium lighting for aquatic plants and tropical fish without spending a fortune?

by taisau

Question by : How can I rig good aquarium lighting for aquatic plants and tropical fish without spending a fortune?
I currently have a single T8 bulb and the plants are doing well. I at least want to add an additional bulb. Ideally I would like to have two T5 bulbs in a mirrored fixture, like the very expensive fixtures. My aquarium is on a strong shelf and there is another shelf one foot above the top of the aquarium.

Best answer:

Answer by Josh
DI Y is your answer. make a wooden hood, buy some lighting fixtures and ballast, buy your lights, put tin foil on the hood on the under side, fix light fixtures to the hood, turn it on

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Can a cultured marble counter top support a full 20-30 gallon aquarium?

by Loren Javier

Question by Dboy: Can a cultured marble counter top support a full 20-30 gallon aquarium?
In my bedroom I am planning to get a fish tank. I’m planning on it being to be about 20-30 gallons. So we are talking about 166.8 to 250.2 pounds in terms of water. With a high estimate of 60 pounds of other things (filter, weight of tank, rocks, filter, decorations, etc.) In total, the aquarium will be around 226.8 to 310.2 pounds. I was originally planning to set it on my counter top, which is cultured marble. The fact of the matter is that cultured marble can bend or warp with excessive weight. I’m not knowledgeable enough about cultured marble but I don’t want to set the aquarium up until I have a good enough idea that it will be ok to set it up there.

Best answer:

Answer by johnykay
What you wana do is divide the weight of the fish tank by the area of the tank bottom and that will give you lbs/sq ft.

A water bed weighs a lot but when the weight is distributed over the area of the floor its little more than the weight of a refrigerator per square foot,taking into consideration that your wood(maybee homosote)floores are reinforced every 16 inches with joists.

Read the specs on your countertop and see if it will support the weight/sq.ft-or simply re-enforce the bottom of it somehow

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What types of fish can survive in a fish bowl?

by bogdog Dan

Question by : What types of fish can survive in a fish bowl?
I know you can keep a gold fish, and beta fish in a fish bowl and it will survive in the bowl. But what other fish can survive in just a fish bowl without an airpump and heater, and everything you need for a big aquirium.

Best answer:

Answer by hendrix909817
Goldfish yes, bettas NO! most people believe they like and can live healthily in cold water, but they CANT! Betta fish (splendens) need a heater as well because they are tropical fish. What you could try if you want more than one fish is a few cloud minnows or another kind of small fish that does not require heat

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What would happen if you inflate your stomach with a aquarium pump through your behind?

by Loren Javier

Question by askalot: What would happen if you inflate your stomach with a aquarium pump through your behind?
Ok, want to know will there be any major problems if I do it. what I mean by that is not over doing it but just enough to where it will be a little bit bigger than before. also please no stupid remarks or comments, just want to know facts not stupid stuff.

Best answer:

Answer by Zephyr
That kind of stuff only happens in cartoons, kid. Seriously.

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Is there any way to get the trim on my aquarium replaced?

by Loren Javier

Question by crzycoookies: Is there any way to get the trim on my aquarium replaced?
My 55 gal. tank has black plastic trimming, and my boyfriend gets really OCD about the fact that it is melted in some places. He wants to know if it can be removed and replaced by either buying new trim from a company, or getting it done at an aquarium store.
Also, BTW, it doesn’t hold water. It’s a home for our snake. And it seems like the rim can be pulled off easily – it’s loose.

Best answer:

Answer by Jing Jing
可以啊! Take it to Pet store!

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What fish could live happily in a 10 gallon tank?

Question by Sara: What fish could live happily in a 10 gallon tank?
DON’T say goldfish…

I want freshwater fish (easier than salt water fish)
Fish that are ideal for beginners.

Be specific if you can, on what species and how many of that species in the tank.
Also, are there any links you can give me? Like, forums or just good information pages on that fish?

ALSO,
how do I cycle my tank WITHOUT fish? Be specific.

Best answer:

Answer by Brett
Goldfish!

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Will my second floor handle a 800 pound aquarium?

by The Mitzikin Revolution

Question by : Will my second floor handle a 800 pound aquarium?
It is a 70 gl aquarium, and my mom is scared it will break through the floor and ruin our house… Just need some facts to reassure her…

Best answer:

Answer by Justin S
Well it depends..is it a wood floor or a carpet floor.Carpet floors hace concrete under it so it won’t break.Wood floors have just wood.

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How do I start aquarium plants from seeds?

Question by Tory & SuzAnne S: How do I start aquarium plants from seeds?
We just bought a beta fish for our daughter. I got a package of 3 aquarium plant seeds from the store as well. However, it didn’t have any starting instructions? do I plop the seeds in the water? do I plant it in the rocks in the aquarium? do I start it in dirt? I have no idea..Our sons friends said to put the seed in the aquarium and it would sprout roots–its been a week- we are changing the water.The beta is fine the seed… not so fine.
thank you– whats a “substrate”?

Best answer:

Answer by Anthony
I would just throw them in the tank and let them soak up the water. After they sit for a while you can gently stick them into the substrate. They should sprout within a few weeks. If any do not, they’re bad so remove them and throw them away.

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Q&A: Fish varieties that can be put in a water garden?

Question by nalittlechevy98: Fish varieties that can be put in a water garden?
Someone out there has got to know and have more experience with this than I do. I’ve looked all over the net and keep coming up with the same answer. Yeah, I know, Koi. We’re kind of bored with the same old look though. We’d like to know what fish we can add to our fish/garden pond. Fish that can live outdoors and with Koi. Fish with color. Not plane old pond fish. Something with yellow would be great. Please Help!

Best answer:

Answer by stillnocouch
Goldfish and Orfe are excelent .. hearty and can take the cold nights. — DO A GOOGLE SEARCH ON ‘GOLDEN ORFE’ … I think you’ll like them.

The following is shamelessly cut-n-pasted (but it’s rather to the point and informative):
—————-
The humble Goldfish, bred by Chinese and Japanese fish-keepers from a dull brown wild species, is the most common fish kept in garden ponds. The Goldfish family now has more than 100 varieties, including the Common Goldfish, the Comet with its long tail, the multi-coloured Shubunkins, the oval bodied Fantails and the Veiltails with their flowing fins. Other species to look out for include the Oranda and the Lionhead. Not all these are hardy enough to survive harsh winter conditions, the best survivors are the Common Goldfish, the Comet and the London Shubunkin.

Other species you could consider include Tench and Golden Orfe. The former is a useful bottom feeder, scavenging food wasted by the other fish and so helping to keep the pond clean*. The Golden Orfe with its gold and black markings, is by contrast, an active surface feeder and an excellent display fish. However, it grows quite large so is not suitable for small ponds.
—————-

I hope this helps !

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What are some tips for taking aquarium pictures with a kodak 5megpixel camera?

by coconut wireless

Question by Jamie J: What are some tips for taking aquarium pictures with a kodak 5megpixel camera?
I have a 10 gallon aquairum with guppies, some are very small. I dont know how best to take the pictures flash, no flash, close far away etc.. what are your tips?

Best answer:

Answer by eyebchery
do have a tripod? you can get a table top tripod at Best Buy or any other store that sells electronics for $ 10. Or just find a way to stabalize the camera without you having to hold it.

Turn the flash OFF. If you have the flash on it will relect on the glass of the aquarium and look terrible.

You need a tripod because without the flash there will be less light. Less light means that the camera will take longer to take (properly expose) the picture. If you hold the camera yourself you are likely to get a blurry picture because it is difficult to hold the camera perfectly steady.

Take some pictures close and others far away. If you have a macro setting on your camera, use it for close shots. It might come in the form of a button that has a flower icon on it.

Take some pictures through the glass and others from up top if you think it might work this way. Getting a good variety will help increase the chances of getting a great shot.

Look for other distracting reflections that might show up on the glass of the aquarium.

Hope this helps. If you need more help, email or IM me.

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Fish recipes for someone who is picky with fish?

by kennytyy

Question by munkeroos: Fish recipes for someone who is picky with fish?
I don’t mind fish. I really like salmon baked on a cedar plank, and tuna salad – I love fish and chips.

However, I hate anything that tastes or smells fishy. I don’t know which kinds of fish are more likely to have that smell and taste – or if its a certain way of packaging/preparing before buying that makes fish more likely to taste like that.

I stay away from making fish because of it, but I would really like to eat it more and try different kinds.

Any recipes or tips on buying fish?

Best answer:

Answer by TX2step
Fish isn’t one of my favorite things, (and I HATE the smell of it cooking), but we BBQ salmon once a week, and I do like that:) I lightly coat with olive oil, and sprinkle with Creole seasoning and lots of dried dillweed; 5-8 min on each side, over mesquite chips. You’d also like swordfish and halibut, since they’re firm fish and don’t taste fishy at all. They’re good with any marinade, but teriyaki is especially good on the BBQ…..

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Q&A: FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Question by Mr. Dingo: FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?
I am thinking of buying a couple of fish, and I need different names so I can look them up online and see if they are cool enough for me. I want a red fish, a blue fish with black stripes.
The fish must be freshwater, not need alot of care (Like a goldfish) and not be expensive*

*They can’t be something that will die easily or something that is aggressive and eats other fish.

Best answer:

Answer by goober
good luck finding fish with all those traits

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When adding aquarium salt to an aquarium, is it safe just to pour the salt in?

Question by Dom: When adding aquarium salt to an aquarium, is it safe just to pour the salt in?
This probably sounds like a stupid question, but a trio of guppies just came in the mail, and I have some aquarium salt to add in to reduce stress. Do I just dump the salt in, or what? How much salt do I need? (It’s a 5 gallon breeder tank).

Finally, is it safe to use pantyhose as a means to cover the filter? I am planning on breeding these fish and I do not want the fry to get sucked up.

Best answer:

Answer by Hoddie
While I don’t think guppies generally need aquarium salt, I’ve heard it can be helpful for temporary use to treat stress or diseases.

The proper amount to add to a 5 gallon tank is 1 rounded tablespoon. Never just dump in any given amount.

On the pantyhose – not sure, sorry. Good luck!

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How to keep aquarium cool during the summer?

Question by Molly Bryant: How to keep aquarium cool during the summer?
I have a 20 gallon with 1 1″pleco, 5 platys, and 7 gold barbs in planted aquarium. I will be on vacation for 9 days and the A/C will be off. I live in San Antonio, TX, and it gets over 100 degrees here. I don’t want to buy aquarium chiller, what do i do to keep aquarium cool?

Best answer:

Answer by JB
Gotta leave the ac on low

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Perfectly healthy guppy leanings on the aquarium glass and is inactive?

Question by Katlyn: Perfectly healthy guppy leanings on the aquarium glass and is inactive?
Well, she is a female, and seems to be in the middle of her life span. She seems to be perfectly healthy, no ulcers, rotting fins/tails, no protruding scales. Except for the fact that she always leans on the aquarium glass or lies close to my filter… She isn’t pregnant to the point that she needs to find a safe place to lay her fry. But she hasn’t been eating much for the last 2 days. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with her?

Best answer:

Answer by No Name Brand
She may have the flu, or a head cold.

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I have a new aquarium got it for Christmas. its a ten gallon. Need to know facts so i can keep it clean, etc.?

by jakeline

Question by Mike C: I have a new aquarium got it for Christmas. its a ten gallon. Need to know facts so i can keep it clean, etc.?
Like I said its a ten gallon, i got a heater in it and a filter, its the one that came with the starter kit for it. I got 2 fish ( a blind cave fish and a black skirt tetra) along with a snail (which i heard is good for keep tanks clean) how often is good to clean the tank, etc… the tank is constant to like 75degrees…

Best answer:

Answer by nypokerplayer
I have a 75 gallon tank. I keep it at 80 degrees. I clean it once a month. Change the filters twice a month, every 2 cleanings. The snail is good to keep the glass on the tank clean. Im not sure what a cave fish is, but you should get a type of catfish that will clean the bottom of the tank.

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Photography tips for shooting in an aquarium?

by coconut wireless

Question by Lor: Photography tips for shooting in an aquarium?
I’ll be visiting the Monterey Aquarium soon, and i’d like some tips about how to work my SLR in the dark light. Flash or no flash? How do I avoid glare on the glass? How can I take clear pictures of say–a jellyfish? I understand the art of photography, but I don’t yet understand the science. Please let me know specifically what settings to use. Please describe what the setting would look like on my camera so I know what you’re talking about. Thanks a lot!

Best answer:

Answer by Forlorn Hope
i had a similar problem when i recently went to an aquarium… using a DSLR is easier than an SLR… and added to that, the glare on the glass, people in the way, the curve in the glass…

i managed to get some good shots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinwalker/sets/72157623643654411/

if you want to check the settings..

most aquariums will not allow a flash… so you have to set the ISO quite high, but you get a fair amount of noise… but that is the trade you have to make…

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