Keeping Guppy

[JAS21]

Guys … hopefully someone can advise. We have a tank approx 1.5M*0.45M*0.55M. Until two days ago, when there were only 90-100 guppy’s in the tank we basically were not losing any fish.

 

It was set up with only the circulating water carrying air into the tank, the tank top is open. It was designed to have eight air balls under the stones but unfortunately I bought the incorrect air pipe work and it disintegrated.

 

Yes I know that I will have to sort that, it’s a pain to do though.

 

The filter system is some sort of matting above cones, the pump is below the cones. Mrs J says that the cones should not be submerged, but just have water running down over them. Sounds strange to me but …   the pump runs twenty four hours, the LED lights go off during the night.

 

She has been changing half the water weekly, water coming only from a tank which we don’t use so there will be little or no chlorine in that water.

 

Three days ago she bought three hundred more guppies from JJ Market. She also installed the four air balls that you can see.  Since then at least fifty fish have died (mainly the new fish).

 

So, is the tank overloaded now?

Should the filter cones be covered?

 

I have suggested that she gets a water test kit … it’s fallen on deaf ears so far.

 

Any more suggestions please … sorry about the quality of the filter pic ……    thanks

 

   

[planemad]

Hi Jas21, Looks like you are new to the hobby, never mind, we all have to start somewhere. So, where to start? A few facts for you, your tank has a capacity of about 90 Imp Galls or if you prefer about 370,000 cc, either way, your wife is changing too much water every week, about 20% is all you need otherwise the change in temperature, water condition variations etc can cause shock to the fish.

 

Next, how many fish to stock? This is calculated not by total tank volume but by surface area, so, your tank has a surface area of about 1080 sq in or 8250 sq cm which will cater for about 100 inches (sorry, will stay with inches if you don't mind), of slender fish, therefore guppys being small you should be looking at about 150 fish. You say you started out with 100 fish and added another 300, too many I'm afraid. Also, you got them from JJ where I cannot comment on the quality of fish, but looking at the other livestock there, then I would have doubts unless I can find a reputable supplier.

 

Next, the tank set up, I see from your photos that you have an internal filter built into the end of the tank and I notice the plastic spiky balls in the centre gallery, they will build up the biological filter which will break down most of the impurities generated by the fish, you could also use activated carbon or similar under the balls/tubes. In addition, some coarse sponge at the very top of the filter will help and it is easier to clean than the filter floss which has to be discarded. Check out google for some better examples.

 

Aeriation, personally, I dislike the blue balls hanging in the water. Remember oxygenation takes place at the surface, so regular movement will be enough. To that end, I have made a spray bar for my tank which fits just above the surface and jets water from the built in filter across the water, it creates some turbulence and keeps the water circulating (if the sound of the water iritates you, lower the bar below the surface and aim the jets upwards). It is simple to make, just use the yellow (or grey) plastic pipes with a few angle bends and end caps and drill holes about 1 to 1.5 inches apart and 3.5 to 4 mm dia. If you still want to use your air pump, then I suggest getting maybe 2 box filters, one for either rear corner of the tank and deliver air to those, they make the tank look tidier (in my opinion) with the added bonus that they provide extra filtration (not that you really need it).

 

Finally, your tank top is open, I'm sure you will have noticed quite a water loss due to evapouration, good for your house plants (if you have any) as they will really appreciate the old aquariom water with it's higher nitrate content.

 

Anyway, I hope I have given you a few ideas, if I have confusd you in anyway, please send me a PM and I will try to clarify for you. I have been keeping tropicals for about 35 years so whilst not an expert, I have lots of practical experience.