Mcheuk's Tank And Filtration Setup, Experience/comments on use of pebbles Options

[MCheuk]

Dear veterans,

Originally I had pebbles & plants in my tank for visual appeasement (see attached picture). However, after two months, I found that the pebbles retained a lot of poop and debris. I also discovered baby snails developing (which could be a good / bad sign, depending on the person).

I made 20% water changes per week, but noted some of my ranchus developing red sores on the bodies and blood veins in their fins recently (Water temp was 26C. The tank was running a week before any fish were added) Therefore, I assumed the water quality was inferior. I decided to revamp the tank and it is now a bare tank. The pebbles and plants made the tank look nice, but it created water issues.

Have many of you experienced this?
For goldfish/ranchus - is the best suggestion to have a bare tank?

Thank you.



This post has been edited by CP: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 4:26 pm
Reason: Topic moved & renamed

[The Matrix]

bare tank remove all these problems. but 20% water change is way too little. How abt checking yr water parameters ? yr nitrates should be sky high.

pebbles is okay for visual purpose but maintaining it will be a headache. U got to do gravel cleaning (suction) during weekly water change. Can go to your local fish shop to look for those meant for such purpose. Or u can custom make one with those 500ml plastic soft drink bottle. Got $$$ can buy those electric powered gravel cleaner.

snails usually from the plants u put into the tank. In future, try to keep the plants in another small tank for a month or so before placing into the main tank. Once u detect snails or other pests, u can still clean the plants and kill the snails or pests relatively easy. Right now, u got to dose the tanks with anti-snail copper solution which might destroy the entire tank system.

As long as u can control the pest problem, having a gravel and decorated tank will beautify the fish greatly.

[MCheuk]

bare tank remove all these problems. but 20% water change is way too little. How abt checking yr water parameters ? yr nitrates should be sky high.

pebbles is okay for visual purpose but maintaining it will be a headache. U got to do gravel cleaning (suction) during weekly water change. Can go to your local fish shop to look for those meant for such purpose. Or u can custom make one with those 500ml plastic soft drink bottle. Got $$$ can buy those electric powered gravel cleaner.

snails usually from the plants u put into the tank. In future, try to keep the plants in another small tank for a month or so before placing into the main tank. Once u detect snails or other pests, u can still clean the plants and kill the snails or pests relatively easy. Right now, u got to dose the tanks with anti-snail copper solution which might destroy the entire tank system.

As long as u can control the pest problem, having a gravel and decorated tank will beautify the fish greatly.

Thanks for the advice. I did check the water weekly and the indicator didn't say off the charts with the nitrate. Anywars, with the bare tank now, let's hope this problem is easier handled.

I was informed that gravel cleaning may release pockets of toxic water so it would be best to remove the water from the top. Please let me know if I am misinformed as I would like to place the gravel back in! btw - I feed my ranchus sinking pellets (saki hikari). The key problem was that these pellets would get caught in places where the ranchus cannot reach, and since these pellets are small, I couldn't always find them. As result I think this contributed to the water being more contaminated.

(My ranchus love the saki hikari. I have noted the pooped is more impact.)

Thanks for the wisdom on the plants. Even though the ranchus like to nibble on the leaves, I think I'll stay away from plants because rotten leaves contribute to the contanimation of water. I did try the anti-snail solution but think that hastened the water problem (even though I changed a 30% of the water after each application).

The tank is bare now, but with the experience, I may reconsider using gravel again. It really makes the bank aesthetically better!