Startup questions on guppies

[instinctloh]

Hi,

i intend to start up a 2ft tank to keep guppies. I have a few questions hope you guys can help out:

1) as guppies poo a lot, what is the recommended pump or filters?
2) any fish eats poo?
3) is there such thing as sand that is black in color?
4) if yes where can I buy them? How much is needed?
5) is it true that if keeping guppies the best is not to have any gravel as they poo a lot and it will be easier when comes to cleaning.
6) how many guppies shld I get for a 2 ft tank?

Thks.

[KilliNewbie]

1) if not display tank, sponge filter is good.
2) get snails
3) yes black quarts sand or something like that
4)depends how deep the substrate u want
5) yes
6) 20 or less ? They'll multiply quickly so lesser adults is better lol

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[thebaldingaquarist]

1) it depends on the number of fishes. For 5, a sponge filter is good to go
2) unfortunately, no fish eat poo. Bacteria in the tank or soil will break down the poo.
3) like killinewbie mentioned, black quartz. Note that some quartz are not bottom feeder friendly as they have sharp edges.
4) any lfs will have guppies. It's whether you want some fancy strain of guppies

5)having gravel will, as a rule of thumb, make it harder to clean

6) in my opinion, 5. 4 females, 1 very nice male.

[instinctloh]

Thks for the response...

I'm thinking of getting the Hang on filter that can load activated charcoal. Is it advisable or is still best to go for sponge filter? Cos I find sponge filter not so nice looking.... Ok I know that shld not be the consideration. If sponge filter really is the way to go will opt for that.

Sorry is really a display tank and I hope to make it nicer with some plants. So am I correct to say tat guppies is not the best option here? If sand is really not a good option for guppies, I will consider change to other fishes else the tank will be bare and he wanted a nice looking house for the fish (ornaments)

ok maybe some info why I wanted to keep a tank: a learning journey for my son tats why wanted some fish that can breed (not too diff) and a nice aquarium that he can be proud of.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Ok. So if I am wrong.. You want a planted tank with guppies? That's very doable.
If it's planted do take care to remove the carbon when the plants go in. Personally I will not put carbon in. I will get the filter and substrate and cycle the tank.

Then in goes the plants. I recommend ferns and moss on wood. Add some green to the tank.

[wongce]

Hi TS, planted with guppy, molly, platy is very doable. Stick to low requirement plants, sufficient light, indoor temperature around 30 should be ok.

For filter, I like to use HOF, just get 1 that suit your budget and around 6x the capacity of your tank...

If you wanna know more, you can check out my blog....a lot to read and there are some step by step guides too...

Have fun with your kids....good to know more parents who encourages this hobby.... I started this hobby together with my dad too. From longkang endlers/guppy to 3 planted tanks today.. haha

[instinctloh]

Sorry guess let me be a bit more precise in my questions:


1) if I wanted to start a 2ft planted tank with guppies, do I use soil or sand?
2) must I really have 2 aeration cos someone told me tat I need 1 sponge pump at 1 side and either hof or canister on the other. Cos hof or canister only filter the water and does not really generate o2 for the fish as effectively as the pump. Plus hof and canister is the most effective way to filter the water for any debris or poo vs the traditional sponge type.

i saw this 2 filters from the shop and the shop owner recommended me this type of submerged filters which he says is good... Pics are just for illustration not that I'm going for this 2 brands

In fact I'm kind of like exposed to too many equipment and now I am lost don't know which one sld I go for...


image.jpg image.jpg
OR


I was told that: a good hang on filters is more than enough...


3) why must I remove the carbon when plants go in? Pardon me cos I thought the cleaner the water the Better for plants and fish?
4) beside dolly and guppies, what is the next recommended fish to keep that can be bred easily?


i guess with the answers to this queries, more or less shld be able to firm up something by this week.


thks folks in advance. Guess my son would be excited to start this hobby with me.

[thebaldingaquarist]

Hi instinctloh,
The following are my "recommendations" to your questions. I did not put in any other alternatives and have only placed in the reason for the recommendation so as not to flood you with unnecessary information.


1) if I wanted to start a 2ft planted tank with guppies, do I use soil or sand?
[Erc] Use soil. soil gives you the ability to plant into the substrate. for sand, you will need to do more "stuff" to it for you to be able to plant.

2) must I really have 2 aeration cos someone told me tat I need 1 sponge pump at 1 side and either hof or canister on the other. Cos hof or canister only filter the water and does not really generate o2 for the fish as effectively as the pump. Plus hof and canister is the most effective way to filter the water for any debris or poo vs the traditional sponge type.
[Erc] Not required for 2 aeration devices. just ensure you have proper circulation and fish to water surface ratio. i think the rule of thumb is not to have more than 1 inch of fish (measured from head to beginning of tail) to 1 gallon of water. If you ever find that your fish is gasping for air at the water surface, then you can increase water agitation to promote gaseous exchange.

3) why must I remove the carbon when plants go in? Pardon me cos I thought the cleaner the water the Better for plants and fish?
[Erc] Carbon removes nutrients from the water. thereby leaving the water "clean", but such "clean" water will not be good for plants as alot of aquatic plants require nutrients in the water column.
4) beside dolly and guppies, what is the next recommended fish to keep that can be bred easily?
[Erc] Platies, like what wongce mentioned or endlers like qngwn said.

Do give Wongce's blog and the stickies in the planted section a read.. its worth the time so as to avoid some of the mistakes we often make.

[Urban Aquaria]

Get a canister filter if possible, they are able to hold alot more filtration and bio-media which will help keep your tank's parameters and cycle stable. You can generate surface agitation by positioning the filter output or spray bar to create a ripple current across the water surface, that will usually produce enough gas exchange for sufficient oxygenation in most tanks.

For planted 2ft tanks, it'll be good to get canister filters that run at between 500-700 l/ph flow rate, that will ensure good circulation and turnover in filtration.

[instinctloh]

Ok thks...

then what type of pumps shld I go for?

canister, submerged filters, hof, hang on or stick to sponge?

Or are there any materials that I can read for purposes of diff pumps?

[Urban Aquaria]

You can have a look at this webpage which compares the various types of filter systems:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=304

There is a chart at the bottom that summaries the effectiveness of each filter type quite well.

Btw, note that if you use any filter (other than sponge filter) and wish to breed the guppies, do remember to get a sponge or mesh guard for the filter intake to prevent tiny fry getting sucked into the filter.

[instinctloh]

You can have a look at this webpage which compares the various types of filter systems:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=304

There is a chart at the bottom that summaries the effectiveness of each filter type quite well.

Btw, note that if you use any filter (other than sponge filter) and wish to breed the guppies, do remember to get a sponge or mesh guard for the filter intake to prevent tiny fry getting sucked into the filter.

Noted thks...

[instinctloh]

Hi,

i saw something from the you tube and would like to hear your advise on this...

so u think I shld buy a canister or shld I DIY a canister?

will I really save a lot by DIY-ing or I shld not waste my time on it?

seems like is a very good bonding and leaning with my son...

Cheers.

[wongce]

Hi,

i saw something from the you tube and would like to hear your advise on this...

so u think I shld buy a canister or shld I DIY a canister?

will I really save a lot by DIY-ing or I shld not waste my time on it?

seems like is a very good bonding and leaning with my son...

Cheers.

if you really want a canister, just buy it... DIY may cause a mess from leaking....you may end up being scolded by your wife...and wet the whole floor and precious furniture nearby the tank

[instinctloh]

if you really want a canister, just buy it... DIY may cause a mess from leaking....you may end up being scolded by your wife...and wet the whole floor and precious furniture nearby the tank

Lol...

tats true

[tapout2me]

Any advice on a good canister for starters such as the TS and myself? Heard good reviews on Ehiem (2213 for 2 ft tank) but thwarted by the price...

TS- Sorry for bumpin in your thread, cause I can't start thread yet but find your topic closely related to mine. Hope you won't mind!

[bennyc]

Eheim is expensive but it is a sure investment. long last and silent. so you can consider allocate some money to the part of the budget. if not jebao is a cheap alternative, but there might have leaks in the long run and the noise level cannot be compare. There is a chinese saying , a dollar of goods equals to a dollar of quality.

[tapout2me]

Haha...thanks bennyc and I definitely agree...which is why despite the price I am still exploring a 2213 thru the pasar malam! Think my resolve to go for ehiem is now strengthened. One more query: I currently have 2 synadontis (fin) and is hoping to integrate them with a couple if guppies...think they can co exist in a 2ft?

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[bennyc]

Personally, I have not try them in the same tank before so it might not be right for me to comment. synadontis seems like it is able to swallow guppies whole. Haha.

[tapout2me]

Hahaha! But their mouths are faced downwards and guppies stay at tank top right? I'm hoping they can...

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