Getting another 10 gallon!

Chinnie Girl · 01-03-2004, 12:28 PM

I decided to take my 5 gallon tank back because it works like crap and get another 10 gallon. For guppy babies don't you need at least a 10 gallon or more? The girl said a 5 gallon will due but all I read about the babies is you defenitly need at least a 10 gallon or more, is that right?
I called and they said they will take it back. It's so crappy! Another question is about sand instead of gravol. Is sand harder to clean and do you clean it the same way, with the vacume? Any suggestion's on sand vs gravol would be great.

clearjade · 01-03-2004, 01:19 PM

I've read that it's easier to clean sand because the grains are so small that dirt can't get down in between them and just sit on top of the sand which makes it easy to vaccum up. But with sand, you have to be careful to make sure you use a chopstick and run it through the sand regularly to make sure that the sand particles don't compact down too much and create pockets of anaerobic bacteria (I think I spelt that right, it's the bacteria that grows without oxygen) that is very poisonous to your tank.

I think when you vaccum sand, you just have to hover over the top to suck up dirt unlike gravel where you can stir up the gravel to get to the dirt in between pieces.

I'd say that it's up to your own preference, some people just like the look of sand and others prefer gravel. I think in terms of maintanence, both have their own pros and cons.

What happened with your 5 gallon that it works like crap?

With guppy babies, I'd definately go with a 10 gallon or more, the bigger the better. Seems like most breeders go with 10 or 20 gallon growout tanks, larger scale breeders use bigger tanks. A 5 gallons is definately too small for fry to grow out! Even betta babies need more than a 5 gallon tank to grow out in.

Don't forget to get a sponge filter or place a piece of stocking over your filter intake if you have a powerfilter so that babies don't get sucked up

Don't forget to post pictures of your babies! I love babies

Candycane · 01-03-2004, 01:23 PM

Courtney, what about the water?

I have no clue about fish pregnancy but will it be cycled by the time the babies are born?

I have sand in my tank and prefer the look and ease of cleaning. We mix the sand a day before we clean it and then let it sit overnight. By the time we clean it, the debris has come to rest on the sand and it is easily suctioned up.

Chinnie Girl · 01-03-2004, 03:02 PM

I think Im going to stick with the gravol only because I need tp put some in from my cycled tank. I already have 7 gallons of cycled water plus some gravol so hopefully it will be cycled by then. All I can do is try now. I bought her pregnant, and they said I had all boys so now Im rushing trying to get things ready for ONE pregnant fish, LOL. Oh well ... it's exciting. Im also going to put my filter in the new fish tank. I read that sould help too.
Im guessing my guppy has two weeks but that's just a guess. My cousin is also bringing me some of his gravol from his fish tank and some more cycled water. So I really hope this works. It sould help getting it started quicker. I would have probably picked the sand but I think this will help it get going quicker.
The 5 gallon's pump doesn't work at all. My dad tried to fix it and he is sure I put it together right. We went over it and I think it's the motor in the pump that doesn't work.

clearjade · 01-05-2004, 05:18 PM

The gravel from your cousin will definately help cycle the new tank. Just remember to add fishes slowly and a few at a time to allow the bacteria to adjust to the increased bioload.

Chinnie Girl · 01-05-2004, 06:34 PM

They gave me some gravol at pet smart too so I have a mixture of gravol and suprisingly it looks good. They also said to put 10% of my old tank into the new one and that should help. Oh ya, Im going to add them slowley.

clearjade · 01-08-2004, 06:31 PM

How's the new tank doing, Courtney?

Chinnie Girl · 01-09-2004, 08:06 AM

Well I just got my water tested and it's 100% perfect. Every day I have been put the old tank water into the new one plus I got this stuff called cycle. It's good bacteria and help new tanks and keeps the fish healthy. I also have a pouch that sit's on the filter and takes the nitrates out of the water. The pouch was like $20.

So things are perfect.