Hi! Excited new guppy owner:)

**georgelam** · 22nd Jan 2014, 09:57

Hi guys.
Both my fishes died this morning. I don't know what the cause is. They seem fine last night. I turned the filter down to the lowest power. Anyway I washed tank and filled it again. I'm gonna let it run for a while before I add new fishes. I don't have any soul or substrate. How do I plant plants like twisted vallis?

**GHD97** · 22nd Jan 2014, 19:18

Just add a bunch of cabomba or hydrilla still in their plastic pot

as long as there's some sunlight it should be fine.

Do look over your dead fish for any swelling, nodes to check for worms and parasites. If there are any, then do not buy new fish from the same LFS. If there aren't, then water quality is probably the case and quite inevitable especially with newly set-up filters. Add some fish food into the tank to kick start the cycling. Then wait a month before adding new fish to prevent more fatalities. Do read up on cycling a fish tank from the net

**tetrakid** · 22nd Jan 2014, 23:33

Originally Posted by georgelam

Hi guys.
Both my fishes died this morning. I don't know what the cause is. They seem fine last night. I turned the filter down to the lowest power. Anyway I washed tank and filled it again. I'm gonna let it run for a while before I add new fishes. I don't have any soul or substrate. How do I plant plants like twisted vallis?

Luckily you didn't buy discus or other expensive fish. I know of people who will accept nothing less than discus, etc as beginners. Of course they will feel heartaches when they lose their precious fish.

For you, there's no problem, as you can simply just get another bag of attractive guppies to try again. Keep trying until a batch of guppies can last one year under your care. By then you would have learned enough and gained enough experience to try your hand at better fish which require more expert care.

**georgelam** · 22nd Jan 2014, 23:47

Yup. I'll continue trying. Im gonna add some plants. From what I read, java moss seems to be the easiest to keep. Plus it's fry friendly. So that's what I'll start with. Maybe add some rocks or cave too.. If you guys have any advise or suggestion, feel free to add on. I would like to get as much information as possible. Thanks.

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**vannel** · 23rd Jan 2014, 00:29

Originally Posted by GHD97

Just add a bunch of cabomba or hydrilla still in their plastic pot

as long as there's some sunlight it should be fine.

That, unfortunately, is bad advise. The sponge that is usually used in those plastic plant pots are soaked in liquid ferts and whatever not. They are not meant for long term usage. Additionally, those plants need to be washed. The pots often contain snails and other harmful stuff you would not want in your aquarium.

Back to the TS..

Caves are not required for guppy.

I'm curious. Are you intending to keep the guppy for pure display? Or are you intending to dabble in breeding?

If the intent is just for an aquarium and guppies just happened to be a cheap and colorful fauna choice.. Then, decor as you would like. I would recommend other fauna choices to complement the tank even.

If, however, the intent is to breed them and understand guppies in depth.. Stick to the "lesser is better" mantra. Many people I know enjoy breeding guppies in plain, non decorative setups.

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**georgelam** · 23rd Jan 2014, 00:53

It's definitely a display aquarium. I might consider going into breeding but not so soon. For now I would be happy if my guppies stay alive. And a pleasing looking tank that is relatively easy to maintain. Right now, it's completely bare. Which is quite sad.

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**georgelam** · 24th Jan 2014, 14:26

Just to update. I got a nana from the lfs. They didn't have java moss. But they said its easy to care for too. The fishes are slowly getting used to it.

**KilliNewbie** · 24th Jan 2014, 14:28

Nana is very easy. Within weeks in a good tank and you'll have a large nana long enough to reach the top

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**georgelam** · 24th Jan 2014, 14:33

The nana I got already has quite big leaves. I notice a bit of yellowing. I keep monitoring it. What should I do if it continues to yellow. Or what can I do now to prevent it?

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**Urban Aquaria** · 24th Jan 2014, 15:17

Originally Posted by georgelam

The nana I got already has quite big leaves. I notice a bit of yellowing. I keep monitoring it. What should I do if it continues to yellow. Or what can I do now to prevent it?

Those are usually just weak leaves... use a pair of scissors to cut off the yellowing leaves at the base, it'll help the plant redirect resources to grow new healthier leaves.

**tetrakid** · 24th Jan 2014, 18:10

Originally Posted by georgelam

It's definitely a display aquarium. I might consider going into breeding but not so soon. For now I would be happy if my guppies stay alive. And a pleasing looking tank that is relatively easy to maintain. Right now, it's completely bare. Which is quite sad.
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Guppies are superb for filling a display tank, especially at night.

At night, switch off the tank lights and aim a florescent spotlight at the tank front. You will then notice the magnificence of these humble little guppies. Better still, install a permanent light fixture in front for this purpose.

**GHD97** · 24th Jan 2014, 19:31

Uh oh... Nana needs at least some fertilizers. If not, iron or potassium deficiencies will cause yellowing and melting of leaves till you're left with only a rhizome. Try some OceanFree Absolute plant ball fertilizer. It is quite cost efficient as far as ferts go^^ prevention is better than cure, best start some ferts before you're left with just an ugly rhizome... And Nanas do not grow very fast in a low-tech tank like yours. Mine grew a bud after a month :\ Nanas are nice^^ love their large leaves...

**georgelam** · 25th Jan 2014, 00:41

Originally Posted by tetrakid

Guppies are superb for filling a display tank, especially at night.

At night, switch off the tank lights and aim a florescent spotlight at the tank front. You will then notice the magnificence of these humble little guppies. Better still, install a permanent light fixture in front for this purpose.

Yup. I have a bulb above the tank and it looks spectacular. I also removed the yellowing leaves. I would like to add more plants in future. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. It has been extremely beneficial and I really appreciate it. I'll update here if I have more question which I probably will.