Help!

Hi. I just got a tank and I have several types of fish in it and another tank that I bought with the intention of putting the "new" fish in it, but it is filthy and I don't know how to clean it...two topics here I guess. First of all, I have five python island cichlids, they are small. I have an electric blue ahli (I love him) 1 blue acei, 3 yellow labs, 3 orange ones, and then 5 odessa barbs (I don't like them at all) but they came with the tank. 2 plecos, 3 little catfish (cory's I think) I really want to get "rid" of the odessa barbs badly, but don't know how to go about it. I don't even know for sure what kind of fish they are. I only want cichlids, but I'm honestly not sure what kind I have; African or American or anything to be honest...

The fish tank...clouded with white stuff, dry...hard water maybe? What to clean it with so I can get it set up and separate some of these fish.

Thanks for any help!!!

Kathy

Im pretty sure you can clean the clouded tank with vinegar. The cichlids sound African. I know the labs and acei are for certain. What size tanks are these? Python Island cichlid is african as well.

The Odessa's might could be traded at a local pet store for something possibly?

Right now they are in a 40, but I am picking up a 55 gallon tomorrow and the one that needs to be cleaned is a 30 long (I think) My plan is to separate most of them and get rid of the Odessa Barbs. Odessa Barbs are not cichlids at all, are they? Thank you for your information. :) I never thought of vinegar. :)

Nope they are not cichlids, they are native to Taiwan I believe. They are in the Cyprinidae family and you are very welcome. Make sure to rinse it very well after using the vinegar.

Ok, will do! Thanks so much for your info! I will check around for a fish store that might trade for the Odessa Barbs. I actually got the first tank to get Oscars, but that kind of went by the wayside when I ended up with all these other fish. :)

They are pretty nice over all and the Electric Blue Ahli is nearly as friendly as an Oscar, but I will get a couple of Oscars eventually. :)

You're very welcome, glad to help and welcome to the Fishbox :) Oscars are pretty neat. I've done lots with central american and south american cichlids but I am currently working on getting an African set up going right now. We love seeing pics if you ever want to post some on here. :)

Ok. Too bad you are so far away... I have a couple of yellow labs and a couple of the orange ones you could have. :) LOL.. maybe even the python island ones. :) Tho they are FINALLY starting to get some color.

Oscars are my favorite... they are cichlids too, right? :)

Yep, it is a south american cichlid. No worries, I an still kinda cycling my tank anyways and need some more rock structure. :)

I need to learn a LOT more about caring for aquariums too. Last time I had a tank, all I had to do was add water and go. :) Now there is a PH balance that I don't know anything about. One thing I am learning is that these fish are violent to their plants. They keep uprooting mine. :) I am tempted to go with plastic with rocks on the bottom just to keep them in the gravel.

Yea cichlids do not like plants... they will destroy them usually.

Well, I have learned that. LOL.. So rocks are a better choice then? Or are plastic plants ok? What would be best to go with, in your opinion? Which I already value!!! Thank you!

In mine I have a lot or rock structures. Plastic plants are perfectly fine. With african's it is a good idea to have a lot of hiding places. Things such as holey rock, lava rock and you can make caves with slate rock. Some people even use clay flower pots. You're welcome!

I have noticed that. I have one clay flower pot right now and they seem to move it around a lot. I'm working on getting more stuff in there for them.

Awesome! Hope it works out great :)

i recommend holey rock lol.

Ok, thanks!

Holey Rock of Texas wrote:

i recommend holey rock lol.

strawman1985 wrote:

Yea cichlids do not like plants... they will destroy them usually.

Actually, cichlids LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE plants! Just add a little fish food for seasoning and dig right into the salad!

I did really well with a mix of large fake plants and rocky caves. Made for a very nice looking Mbuna tank. Even manged to eventually hide some Amazon Swords in with the fake plants without being noticed.

2SciCrazed wrote:

strawman1985 wrote:

Yea cichlids do not like plants... they will destroy them usually.

Actually, cichlids LOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE plants! Just add a little fish food for seasoning and dig right into the salad!

I did really well with a mix of large fake plants and rocky caves. Made for a very nice looking Mbuna tank. Even manged to eventually hide some Amazon Swords in with the fake plants without being noticed.

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cichlids will re-arrange what they can move for a while. once everyone has thier comfy spots....could take a week or more depending on the size of coarse. Sneak real plants in where the fake ones have been moved too.... No promises,, floating plants would work best. They like to hunt for dinner, they get a work out you get a chance to see the prey run.

Oh yeah Holey Rock ROCKS !

Holey Rock, and more holey rock. I have 3 layers of holey rock in one corner of my Mbuna tank, and 2 layers across the rest of the tank, in a 55G tank. This allows them to have almost 2 passage ways at the rear of the tank, along with entrance and exits, through the rock.
Rock goes up to about 2/3rds the height of the tank, then I have some artificial plants (Hobby Lobby/Micheals) planted in the back, but over hanging the rock, to give an alternative area.

So about half the depth, front to back, of the tank is open water, and the rest is scenery, refuge.
In this tank I have 6 fish, all but one are 5 years old (alas lost 2 in the last year). The Kenyi is boss, his one remaining bride has holes to escape his attention, and the others can come out or scoot as they wish.
I also have plant pots in corners, and have even used some black coffee mugs, hidden under rocks, to make caves.
As you can tell, I work on the minimum fish per tank theory.

Vinegar Is the west way to clean up your fish tank, but you need to carefully clean it and wash it with water. the one thing is that you should put all your fish in another tank or bucket before to clean the fish tank....so be carefully....
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