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

[CP]

Pretty nice setup you have there, and pretty nice ranchus too.

Here in RG we always recommend bare tanks, cos its much easier to maintain.Of course, it is not aesthetically as pleasing.

As mentioned by Matrix, 20% weekly change is too little.Pls check your nitrate levels.The stocking level now looks OK, but that is the max. number of fishes of this size that you can keep.

[MCheuk]

Pretty nice setup you have there, and pretty nice ranchus too.

Here in RG we always recommend bare tanks, cos its much easier to maintain.Of course, it is not aesthetically as pleasing.

As mentioned by Matrix, 20% weekly change is too little.Pls check your nitrate levels.The stocking level now looks OK, but that is the max. number of fishes of this size that you can keep.

CP - thanks. I really enjoyed watching the tanks in the evenings. It's rather different now that it's bare!

I had the dealer/sales guy search for specific ranchus for me (from China). I wanted AA and below SVR (specific colors too). He was able to locate quite a few and then I selected these ones. Wierd thing is the black ranchu eventually started going orange! Initially I fed them a feed which promoted redness, so once that color transformation started, I switched to Saki Hikari. But it's too late, my fish is 85% orange now!

The dealer offered to take him back, but I really like the fish's character. Always approached me, smart, active and responsive. So I'm going to keep him. Although he's spotty now, I don't mind. Let's see if I can change him back to black (via food, lighting, water temp etc.). Will keep you guys posted.