Ok, while waiting for the fish to get over ich, and waiting for the tank to cycle I have come up with a list of random questions. I'm finding myself thinking about the fish and their home more and more and lots of things are unanswered for me, so here goes.

1. I have a platy with a sword tail. Hes red with black tail. Petco sold him to me as a platy, but IS he a platy, or a swordtail. Or both?

2. the swordtail/platy is CONSTANTLY hanging out right where the filter pours into the tank. This normal behaviour, or does it show that he needs something, or is he just nuts? He swims right through that area alll day every day.

3. Going to change the substrate in the 29 gallon, and put the stuff that's in there now into a 5 gallon for my daughter. If during a regular water change from the 29, I put 5 gallons of the water right into the 5 gallon, will it be "pre cycled" Or will i still have to restart the whole process?

4. WIll completely changing the substrate in the larger tank mess with the cycle, as in all the bacteria that's in the substate in there now, will it hurt the tank lose it and throw it off kilter?


That's all i can think of right now. lol I'll be back with more, I'm sure of it.

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"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

Ok I will answer a few of those for ya.

1.I dont really know,Ive no experience with them.I would think they can interbreed.I know mollies can breed with one,though I forget which.

2.Some fish just really like flow.I had a betta who played in the filter before too,so its not uncommon.Just keep an eye out for issues,like not eating,gold dusting ect ect.

3.You can use the substrate,and it will contain some good bacteria.However,water holds very little,so just fill with fresh dechlored water to be safest.You may still have a mini cycle unless the filter in the five has BB on it as well.

4.Substrate does hold a good bit of the BB as stated above.You will hit a ini cycle replacing it straight out.To avoid this,take the old and place in a panty hose or filter bag and keep that in the tank for a few weeks to seed the new.That will prevent a cycle,or usually it would.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

Perfect, Thanks! That is exactly how I'll do it then. :D

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"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

oh, and a few other questions pertaining to the forum not fish.

I keep uploading pics, but then they arent in the album I tried to put them in? and also, is there a specified chat time?

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"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

You say you're going to replace the gravel in the 29? Or just pull some of it out? If you are going to replace it, I think that is a bad mistake. This tank is still cycling or just finishing. If you want to be safe, then let it finish and sit for a week or so at least. Playing with fire will get you burned a lot of the time.

Yea I wanted to replace it. It's neon pink/black gravel right now, that's just what came with it. It's baad looking lol But i'll hang on a little bit then.

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"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

Chat time is anytime. If we notice someone hanging out in chat, we go in and talk... or sometimes one of use will go into chat and wait for others to come.

Often, it's in the evenings on weeknights. (Most people are busy on weekends... at least I am, and whenever I check on weekends no one else is ever on either.)

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Got some answers for you.

1. Swordtails and Platys are two different species. They are close enough relatives that that can hybridize with each other, but that will possibly be bad. I've lost 3 female platys due to pregnancy complications because of the swords (I did not have any male platys at the time.) You want to have at least three (2:1 female to male ratio) platys or swords to keep them happy or the male(s) will run the female(s) to death.

2. Maj answered quite nicely. Fish need entertainment too.

3. Using gravel from a cycled tank will speed up the rate that the tank will cycle, but it will not prevent a cycle. Remember you are building an ecosystem, it doesn't happen overnight.

4. Anytime you mess with the gravel or filter you run the risk of an N cycle. The more you mess with it the higher the risk. JR has a good suggestion with the panty hose. I too have wanted to change my substrate but am worried of the repercussions.

5. Tips for new aquarists.
#1 Pet store/Fish Store/Wal-Mart/etc employees do not always know what they are talking about. More often than not, they have no idea and will likely give bed advice. Don't take anyone's advice for gospel but keep it in mind.

#2 Research, research, research. Read all you can and make a decision based off of what you know.

#3 Don't be afraid to experiment, but be reasonable. Start small and eventually you will be able to pull off some neat stuff.

#4 Be patient. If you are impatient and can't wait until your tank is cycled and stock it full, bad things will happen. Been there, done that.

#5 Last but not least. There is always someone who knows something you don't. Everyone on here is very helpful and will try to answer any question you may have.

/rant

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29g Tall FW: Many Swordtails: 1 lemon, 6-8 neon/pineapple, 1 Gold Tuxedo, ? fry; 1 Clown Pleco; 3 Otocinclus Cats, and MTS.
Planted: Amazon Swords.

The only place where success comes before work
is in the dictionary.