Freshwater 15 gal

[greggreenberg]

So I got a 15 gal aquarium and looking for any advice that can be givin for this project. I currently have had 2 minnows in for 3 days and they are fine.

 

[heathlindner25]

what kind of questions do you have, I love my freshwater tank.

 

[frantz]

http://www.amazon.com/North-American-Native-Fishes-Aquarium/dp/0764103679">http://www.amazon.com/North-American-Native-Fishes-Aquarium/dp/0764103679</a>

A good book (and maybe the only on the subject?) on keeping native NA FW fish. I'll be honest, I haven't cracked my copy for years, but growing up I always had fish from the creek for pets!

 

[greggreenberg]

Well my 28 gal reef is stressing me out. So I need a non stressful tank. I have put rodi water in it. Do I need to add anything else. I have one live plant currently in it with the 2 fish. I am enjoying these freshwater fish prices much more lol. I love my reef tank and will never give up on it unfortunately (for my wallet not enjoyment) any additives need to be added. How often should I do water changes and how much should I take out n replace. How often should I replace the filter. Teach me everything lol. I know they are less maintenance then a salt water. Just need to know what I need to do to keep it thriving. What fish should I get/add. Temp ect. Last freshwater I hade was when I was 8 and mom did all the stuff so I'm kinda clueless

 

[mcphock]

If you want this to be successful and not stressful, you need to read before you do anything else. Freshwater tanks don't work any different than saltwater tanks. Figure out what can successfully live in 15 gallons (hint: not much over the long term.), then select what fish you want to keep from that list. Build the environment around the needs of those fish. Angels prefer soft, acidic water. African cichlids need hard, alkaline water. Temperature depends on species, obviously. Etc etc etc etc

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsubwebindex.htm">http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsubwebindex.htm</a>

Virtually all basic aquarium principles in salt water also apply in freshwater. You're going to need a filter. The nitrogen cycle is still present. The water will need to be changed, depending on bioload. Lights for live plants requires bulbs in a certain spectrum, just like coral.

 

[frantz]

Well while freshwater systems tend to be much more tolerant of abuse, it doesn't make it not abuse to not follow through. You won't have to worry about the chemistry as much, but you'll do well to keep with water changes. Filter changes or cleaning often to prevent collected waste from decomposing. Carbon doesn't last any longer in FW. Still there is a lot less stress in FW tanks, less to keep track of, but your basic care remains the same. Just like oceans always get new water, so do rivers and streams.

 

[laminatedgorilla]

I do 30% - 50% water changes every week, depending on which tank. You could get by with less. On a 15 gallon, you could do one 5 gallon home depot bucket a week and be fine.

For most tropical fish, I would recommend using tap water and adding dechlorinater, also add some salt(freshwater) to raise electrolytes.

Some fish, like African chiclids require higher pH levels. This can be obtained by adding some baking soda. You would also want to have a crushed coral or sand substrate to keep the pH from crashing.

You have so many filtration options when it comes to freshwater: sponge, canister, hang on the back, undergravel and they all have their pros and cons.

Lighting is nowhere near as big of an issue with freshwater, especially if you decide to use fake plants. If you want live plants you have to produce certain watt/gallon, which changes depending on the type of plant.

You have the option of warm water or cool water fish. Cool water fish being mainly bettas, goldfish, minnows, darters and most other natives. Warm water fish are basically everything else: barbs, tetras, corys, gouramis, angels and most chiclids.

If you're looking for different fish, check out Petland in Dunwoody. They stock fish you will never see in petco/petsmart.


Hope it helps answer a few questions.

Chris

 

[sewer urchin]

If you are interested in doing a fresh water planted tank, let me know. Every couple of month I cut a lot of stuff back and I'll give it to anyone who wants it- usually just "donate" to my local LFS. Also have a buch of cherry shrimp, they reproduce like cockroaches.

For design ideas google " Takashi Amano planted tanks" . For filtration, I'm only using a power head mostly so that I get some movement in the tank

 

[j_b_]

If you're looking for a simple, yet very interesting setup for your 15gal tank, look no further than a shell-dwelling cicihlid from Lake Tanganyika. All you need in the tank is some sand and shells, and they'll be happy and provide you hours of enjoyment watching them live, play and spawn in their shells. Several different species to choose from, Lamprologus similis, Lamprologus multifasciatus, or Lamprologus brevis. http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/showthread.php?6923-5-Shellies-Neolamprologus-Brevis-1-male-4-female-Lake-Tanganyika">One of the members of the freshwater club has some brevis they're looking to get rid of right now.</a>

If you prefer to go with a planted tank, you could easily do an Apistogramma species in a 15-gal, along with some other dither fish, like Endlers and some dwarf shrimp, like Urchin's Cherry Shrimp. Stick with low-light plants like Anubias species and Java Fern...they'll do well, even under a stock, 15w T8 bulb and require little to no maintenance.

I do monthly [I](when I remember)</em> 40% WCs in my freshwater tanks with dechlorinated tap water, and the only chemical I use is Prime to dechlorinate the tap water. My preference is canister filters, because they offer you plenty of options for filter media. I clean, and re-use my filter media, over and over, and over. To clean it, siphon out some tank water into a bucket and then rinse the filter media in the bucket and return it to the filter.

 

[eagle9252]

when you take the corals out of the saltwater tank i think its easier then fresh. just my opinion.

once you get through the cycle and get the tankmates in it should pretty much take care of it's self.

 

[greggreenberg]

eagle9252;820520 wrote: when you take the corals out of the saltwater tank i think its easier then fresh. just my opinion.

once you get through the cycle and get the tankmates in it should pretty much take care of it's self.

But the corals are the best part!
One of the minnows died this morning

 

[heathlindner25]

how long has this tank been set up?

 

[greggreenberg]

Bout 6 days a week.

 

[ripped tide]

Have you checked the ammonia and nitrite?

http://www.thewaterplanetcompany.com/docs/WPC_Nitrification%20&%20Denitrification%20.pdf">http://www.thewaterplanetcompany.com/docs/WPC_Nitrification%20&%20Denitrification%20.pdf</a>

Skim this article over. It isn't fish related, but the process is the same.

 

[heathlindner25]

yeah you're still cycling bro. if you can go buy a plant or 2, they should be covered in bacteria

 

[rdnelson]

Moved to Freshwater.

 

[mcphock]

laminatedgorilla;820455 wrote:
words

Cool water fish being mainly bettas, goldfish, minnows, darters and most other natives.

words

Bettas are absolutely not cool water fish!

 

[laminatedgorilla]

When I say cool water, I mean you don't need a heater.

It stays 69-72 in my house year-round, so I admit there isn't much of a difference between that and 78. And honestly, I don't know anyone that keeps there house temp much lower than that, especially anyone with fish tanks.

 

[mcphock]

The problem with that is, that is just patently wrong information. They need 82F-ish, year round. Certainly no lower than upper seventies, which requires a heater.

And there is a HUGE difference between 72 and 78. Imagine that context in a reef instead. Most reef keepers maintain their reef around 78. Do you know any that keep their tanks at 72?

 

[laminatedgorilla]

I've kept numerous bettas (splendens and wilds)in room temp and there were happy, they bred even, and my house is nowhere near 82. Do a little research on google and you will find out what conditions bettas need, of course the IBC could</em> always be wrong.

Of course I don't know anyone who keeps their reef tank at 72, but we're not talking about a reef tank here, so that comparison is irrelevant.

So to steer this back to the Orignal Posters issue, what I would recommend to the Original Poster is to look around in your local stores to get an idea what is available/what you like and then google it to see what conditions have to be met for that fish.

You can always check out the local freshwater club.
Atlanta Area Aquarium Association - http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/forum.php">http://www.atlantaaquarium.com/forum.php</a>
That forum is full of individuals who are knowledgeable on all kinds of freshwater fish and would be happy to answer your questions.

Good luck with your new freshwater tank Greg.