Guppy tank

Hi everybody,

i don't have a tank yet, but want to start a guppy tank to breed them. What is the first thing i've got to do?

I have a 1.2m tank which i can use. What kind of filter system works best? Do i have to use ro water or tap water?

 

You can get away with a single 1.2m tank if you are planning on only breeding one strain. If you want to breed good quality guppies, then you will need to start with good breeding stock. You can PM Dolphin about getting some for you.
You do not need RO water. What is the PH of your tapwater? You will need to treat the tapwater with a dechlorinater. I use various filter systems in my tanks. My 1.2m has a gutter filter and an internal filter. My 2ft and 3ft tanks use internal filters and my fry tanks use corner box filters.
Then, add lots of plants for the fry to hide in - floating and planted ones.
You will then need to get a second tank to house the youngsters in - especially the males.

Forgot to add -

Don't forget to let your tank 'cycle' before adding fish. You can do a search on the forum to read all about 'cycling'

 

I don't know the ph of the tap water. Will have to get a ph test. What should the ph be?
What is a gutter filter and how does it work. (sorry i'm new in this hobby)
i have a canister filter - tetra tec ex600. Will that work or do you have to use extra filters?

 

A canister filter will work great!! Don't worry about a gutter filter. The PH should be around PH7 - PH7.5 for guppies.

 

Is the canister filter big enough for the tank? The box says: 60 - 120l. The 4foot aquarium will probably take 200l of water. What should the temp. Be? What gravel is best to use? Can you use any light or is there spesific lights you need to use. How often do i need to do a water change and what percentage at a time?

 

Michelle.... The very first thing... ensure you've got a market for them.:bigsmile:

See below - It is a predicament you do not want yourself in.

 

i live in the eastern freestate.

 

Yes, I agree, get a higher capacity canister filter that can handle around 240l and up.
Temp should be around 26 degrees give or take a degree.
Gravel - up to you - personal choice. I prefer small round shaped gravel so that I can add cories (clean up crew) to the tank. A lot of people use playsand. Again - do a search on this topic.
Lights - I'm not too clued up so someone else needs to respond on that one.
I do water changes once a week around 40 percent. On the odd occasion I do a 50 - 60 percent water change. Depends on how many fish are in the tank. Again it's something you would have to work out. It's different for everyone and everyone has different views on this area.

Wow Cheetah you have some awesome guppies. Point taken - make sure that you have a market for them because they breed worse then rabbits.

 

Just bear in mind that if you use any filter that has a pump on it, you will need to cover the inlet with some sponge. You don't want the Guppy fry to be sucked up into the filter.

 

I would use a sponge pre filter on any canister or HOB filter anyway, this extends the maintenance period quite alot

 

Does anyone know where to get show guppies? What kind of fishes can you keep with guppies?
How about an undergravel filter? Can i use it with the canister filter? How thick must the substrate be? I want to put in a lot of plants? Know where i can get nice plants?

 

The general accepted rule is undergravel filters are not really good when you go the planted root.
Update your profile to show what area you are from... it'll make it a lot easier to recommend places to get your plants if we know where you are from.
Show guppies is really just a fancy name for a big/old guppy. If you want some different guppies, contact Dolphin. (Sponsor on TASA).

If you want to go the undergravel filter route with a power head added to it, I would suggest you have a chat with Gert Combrink. (Moderator on TASA). He does his this way. Not sure how heavily planted he is though.

 

Hi there guys, i eventually set up my tank. It is busy cycling. I used some fine crushed coral for substrate in the tank. I put in 2 black widows to help the tank cycle. They are doing very well. I heard that you can't keep them with guppies, so once i got my guppies, i will take them back to the petshop. I do i post my photos? I used a 4ft fluorecent light, will that be sufficient for the plants?

 

If i'm correct the coral will buffer the PH high.
It means that you will have a higher ph,about 8 to 8.5.

 

Yes, I've also heard that crushed coral will change the pH of the water. I would recommend a more nuetral substrate. Either gravel from a LPS store, silica sand or river sand. (All need to be well washed).

I have 3 black widows with my guppies in my community tank with no problems. It all depends on the dynamics of your tank. You may get away with keeping them if you like them.

 

Hi there,
i got a bigger canister filter today. It is a tetratec ex1200. I'm using both the canister filters at the moment. I added 3 plants. Will they be fine through the cycle? Must i take it out of the little baskets they come in or must i take it out. Some of the brances of the plants broke off when putting it into the bag, we planted it in the sand. Any chance they will grow?

 

http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/attachment.php?attachmentid=3309&stc=1&d=1281539281

 

Plants will be fine through the cycle.

Take them out the pots they came in and plant them into the substrate. Some plants should be tied to a rock or wood, so I would suggest you post a picture of the plant so we can advise better.