Clueless...

P

PamRenee

AC Members
Jul 25, 2009
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0
0
Pittsburgh, PA
Hello, all! Got a question...and a story...

Last night my son went to a carnival with my niece and spent 10 dollars trying to win a goldfish. He didn't win...so my sister-in-law told him she'd get him a goldfish from Petco...

He comes home with an Angelfish and a Rainbow Shark...along with food for them and AquaSafe, and also a little decoration for the tank.

I don't mind this at all, but I had not prepared anything for an Angelfish or a Rainbow Shark.

We have a 10 gallon tank, and had a heater here.

What else should I get for the tank? I am really completely clueless.

I also wanted to get him a few more fish, but am unsure if the ten gallon tank will be big enough for any more fish. I don't want to crowd them. Right now, they are little, probably no bigger than 1-1/2 inches long. Any idea what kinds of fish would get along with Angelfish? He saw a picture of a Cardinal Tetra and seemed to be interested in them.

I know I also need (assuming, actually) other chemicals and stuff for the water?

Thank you for any help offered!

-Pam
 
First off, welcome to AC.

Those fish alone will be crowded in your 10 gallon in time. I would recommend an absolute minimum of a 29 gallon for those fish, but bigger is always better.

Being newly set up, the tank will have to go through a cycling period to build up the beneficial bacteria needed to complete the nitrogen cycle to break down the waste from the fish. This cycling period can be pretty hard on the fish and sensitive species (like angels for example) might not make it through the cycle.

For the time being, those fish will be fine in a 10 gallon at that size. You really wont immediately need any more chemicals than a basic water conditioner to remove chlorine/chloramine from your tap water. The one thing that I would recommend getting right away is a test kit (many prefer the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals master kit-most stores carry it for around $30, it should last you at least a year). This will help you keep track of the water conditions during the cycle. I also didn't see you mention anything about a filter for the tank. If it doesn't have one, you also need to get one ASAP. The AquaClear hang-on-tank powerfilters are good for most setups. They make a 10 gallon size, but I like to go at least a size up, so I'd recommend an AC20 or AC30.

I need to go to sleep, but others will be along to explain things more completely
 
PamRenee said:
Hello, all! Got a question...and a story...

Last night my son went to a carnival with my niece and spent 10 dollars trying to win a goldfish. He didn't win...so my sister-in-law told him she'd get him a goldfish from Petco...

He comes home with an Angelfish and a Rainbow Shark...along with food for them and AquaSafe, and also a little decoration for the tank.

I don't mind this at all, but I had not prepared anything for an Angelfish or a Rainbow Shark.

We have a 10 gallon tank, and had a heater here.

What else should I get for the tank? I am really completely clueless.

I also wanted to get him a few more fish, but am unsure if the ten gallon tank will be big enough for any more fish. I don't want to crowd them. Right now, they are little, probably no bigger than 1-1/2 inches long. Any idea what kinds of fish would get along with Angelfish? He saw a picture of a Cardinal Tetra and seemed to be interested in them.

I know I also need (assuming, actually) other chemicals and stuff for the water?

Thank you for any help offered!

-Pam
Click to expand...

So, I'm a newbie myself, but I think I might be able to help.

First off, welcome! :D

I don't know much about Angelfish or Rainbow Sharks, but I do know that a 10 gallon is way too small for these fish. You could only keep them in the tank a short while. I believe a Rainbow Shark does well in a 55 gallon.

You also mentioned a tank and a heater. Do you have a filter? If you don't, I also recommend the AC20 or AC30. And you should get a filter immediately. A freshwater testing kit is highly recommended, and I personally like the liquid Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc. Master kit as well. A good Water Conditioner is also a must. A siphon is important for water changes.

Also, being a newly set up tank means it hasn't cycled. Go here to learn more: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598
I personally am a fan of fishless cycling because it can save you a lot of heartbreak. Sensitive fish could die more easily from ammonia, nitrites, etc.

In my opinion, you would have two options: The first option, and in my opinion the best option, would be to take the fish back to the store. They should be able to give you your money back. Then, I would think about what you really want to do with your 10 gallon. Plan it all out and save you, your son, and the fish a lot of stress. Cycle the tank before adding any fish, and you should be well on your way. Also, know that the smaller the tank, the more easily things like ammonia, nitrites, and temperature fluctuate. If you have the money, a larger tank is always a good investment.

Second option would be keeping the fish in your 10 gallon, and looking for a larger tank immediately. I'd have to say a 55 gallon would work. If you choose this option, you will need to be extra careful with the water. You'll need to use a freshwater test kit to check the water to make sure the ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc are all within "safe" boundaries for your fish. Water changes should be used to keep these levels down. Remember though, your fish could still die from the stress.

I hope that covers everything. I'm tired. Remember everyone, I am still new myself. One of the older members can give you a more guided answer.
 
Rainbow sharks and angelfish are not compatible. An angelfish needs a minimum of 10 gallons just for one. 20High would be a better tank for it.

The shark will get to 6" and will need a 55 gallon tank.


Tankmates for an Angelfish:
Black Skirt Tetra, Blind Cave Tetra, Chinese Algae Eater, Congo Tetra, Corydoras Catfish, Diamond Tetra, Gouramis, Kuhli Loach, Lemon Tetra, Mollies, Platies, Plecostomus, Rainbows, Serpae Tetra, Silver Dollars, Silver Tip Tetra, Swordtail

For Rainbow shark:
Barbs, Danios, Gouramis, Rainbows
 
First, welcome to AC. There's a lot of material here to help you get acquainted with this new hobby and all that goes along with it.

At their current sizes, 10 gallons should be sufficient for the angel and the RS to live together, though probably none too happily. While both can be aggressive and territorial, right now they're probably each too small to do the other any real harm (fingers crossed). But if they do injure each other, return one ASAP.

You need a filter for the tank. AquaClear makes a decent Hang On Back (HOB) filter which you can buy for about $25 (I got mine for that price in-store) and it includes everything needed to get it up and running (just make sure to open the package at the checkout in front of the cashier to make sure everything actually IS in the box -- depending on how lousy your local pet store (LPS or LFS) is -- it's no fun to go all the way back to the store for wont of a missing part).

You'll also need to buy a test kit. You'll need to test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. And a thermometer too. You can buy all those tests separately, but a kit which includes all (or most) of those is less expensive and will last longer -- the API kit I linked to is nice but my main complaint is that it doesn't include Nitrate(!). Don't buy test strips. Whatever you do, however much of a bargain they may seem like... just don't. They're inaccurate. They're imprecise. They're awful. Stay away.

Also it would be a good idea to read up on "The Nitrogen Cycle." Oh the discussions we have about water changes, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, temperature, beneficial bacteria of the biofilter...

And lest I be remiss, here's a handy-dandy guide to some of the acronyms which get used. A lot...

And finally, FWIW, Rainbow sharks are not true sharks. They are not even closely related. Rainbows, being members of the Cyprinidae family, are actually close relatives of the goldfish you were expecting your son to come home with from Petco.
 
Thanks, everyone! I do have a filter, though. I just forgot to mention it. Not sure what kind it is though. The fish seem to be getting along right now...or at least I think. What do they do when they fight? Is there anyway I can take one back and my son not realize it? I might be able to get away with taking them back to the store and cycling (is that what it is called?) the tank...he's going to NC with my parents today until next Saturday.

Thanks again!
 
Given a choice, I think I would get rid of the Rainbow "Shark," but that's just my opinion. While they are vaguely related to goldfish, please don't make the mistake of thinking that they can comfortably be kept together. I would not recommend trading in for the expected goldfish, either, which might be tempting, b/c people think of them as "beginner" fish. They require a minimum of 15 gallons. Any chance your son would be interested in schooling fish, like tetras?
 
:welcome: to AC

If you can return the fish (I would) do so. Chances are they will not survive the Cycling process. Tell your boy what you will, honesty is always the best. After the tank cycles (6 - 8 weeks) you can get new fish, & by then you'll have a better idea of what you want and what will work in your tank. The only DUMB question around here, is the one that doesn't get asked. So feel free, if there is somethig you don't understand FULLY, ask!

Again :welcome: to AC
 
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