Help! How to keep fishes calm and happy?

[danielaw]

Hi,

I have set up a planted tank as follow :

Tank size 4ft x 1.5 x 1.5
Dynax canister filter
Cylinder CO2 with reactor (with Timer)
T5 light 3 x 54w (with Timer)
1 Computer fan from NA (with Timer)
Planted with various plants which i dunno their names

Fishes : 28 Cardinal tetra
6 Black tetra
6 Rummy nose
3 ots
3 SAEs


The problem: The fishes seems to be frighten when the fan is turned on, causing the fishes to swim only at the botom of the tank. It seems like the vibration from the fan is the cause of it. The rummy nose are pale and their noses are not red and the tetra colour are not as bright and deep as compare to those seen in our LFS.

I have seen many LFS with fan on their planted tank and the fishes look calm and happy and their colour are just beautiful. I hope to acheive this with a cool tempreture around 27C with the fan so that the plant and fishes can are happy

Any help and suggestions are greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance.

[benny]

Hi Daniel,

Welcome to Aquatic Quotient!

I must compliment you on the way you write. You posted your query well, with all the necessary information and most of all, in proper English instead of some SMS language. And this is your first post too! Well done!!

If the vibration of the fan is causing the fishes to be jittery, perhaps you can consider a thin piece of black rubber than you can place between the clamp and the tank glass. That may help.

However, is the fan too strong? The fishes may also be scared by the disturbance on the water surface caused by the fan.

Lastly, what is the pH level in your set up. These fishes prefers acidic water and will probably show better color with a pH of about 6.0 to 6.5.

Cheers,

p.s. Adding one 3000/3500K light will also enhance the colors of your fishes too. Take note.

[michael lai]

Hi Daniel,
Welcome to Aquatic Quotient. Usually computer fans do not generate that much vibrations. Try the method Benny proposed, for me I just cut the Ehiem tubing to act as cushion for the securing. I'm skeptical about the fan because I have one that sound like a generator( just kidding ) but it's loud and the fish are doing fine....
How many days has it been since you set up your tank? What substrate or colour of substrate are you using now? I suspect there are other factors here, maybe we could explore furthur.

[danielaw]

Hi Benny and Michael,

Nice meeting you guys over the net and thanks for the good suggestions. I have tried with stereo-foam between the clamp and the tank but it didn't work. May be I try using some rubber or tubing material you guys suggested.

My tank has been up for 3 weeks and fishes were added in for about 5 days. Substrate used JBL fertiliser at the bottom, Aqua-soil and topped with Lapis sand.

[michael lai]

Hi Daniel,
Since it's only 5 days, give them more time to adapt. If they are feeding, then it's ok. I ask about the substrate because if it's very light colour substrate, sometimes it spooks the fish.

[eddyq]

Hi Daniel,
I can only assume because there no picture of your tank.
3 weeks still early days for tank to stabilize.
Needs more plants for them to hide?
If you suspect fan vibration then try another brand or switch on 24/7.

[danielaw]

Hi,

My tank is heavily planted, about 75% covered. I have tried with rubber material between the fan clamp and tank, but without much success. I guess its my tank, thickness of the glass is only about 1 cm.

Now may try to on fan 24/7 to condition the fishes to this environment. If everything else fail, probably need to consider to use chiller, which mean $$$$ .....

very sian leh ....

[bossteck]

Hi Daniel,

Like the rest, I think it's still early days, your fishes will settle down soon enough, no cause for concern.

When you mentioned, you tried the rubber/foam damper without much success, what exactly do you mean? Do you mean there were still vibration? Were there any noise?

I don't think you need a chiller just because the fan is spooking your fishes, you get a chiller if you want to maintain a much lower temp, low 20's c maybe?

Do you have picture of your current setup? Perhaps you can look at how the fan is positioned.

[michael lai]

Hi Daniel, not sure what rubber materials you are using now. But I proposed using Ehiem tubing because it's proven to be a great dampener. I also have a small Jebo fan for my 2 footer which is really noisy. Upon inspection I found it is because alot of bolt and nut is used in the construction and securing of this unit. I tightened the nuts and my noise went away but it was back 2 weeks later. guess you can't win them all. I would advise you do more research before commiting to a chiller. The maintenance cost is a major factor and chiller also have noise abeit minimal. My 2 cents

[danielaw]

Hi,

Yes, there is some vibration after using rubber/foam damper (those black rubber that place underneath the chair to prevent scratches on the floor) and the fishes tend to swim to the bottom when the fan is on. (Sorry no picture as i do not have a digi cam and not a high tech gut)

I guess you guts are right, it might take time for the fishes to settle down. I have on the fan continuously for 2 days, fishes still swim near the bottom of the tank, but are more calm and my rummy nose tetras are showing some redness on the nose. Hope they will get used to the evironment and swim freely in mid-level of the tank. Will try to get some Ehiem tubing to see can improve the damping effect.

As for the chiller, thanks for the advise. Ya.. heat, noise and maintenance is also a concern ..... must really find out more before commit. Those currently using chiller, care to share your experience ?