Some Newbie Questions

Discussion in 'Beginner Discussions' started by daansteraan, Oct 3, 2020.

  1. daansteraan

    daansteraan

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    Hi Folks,

    Just a few things I would really appreciate some advice on;

    1) My tanks are in quite a dark room and I have the lights on a timer, what should your timer be set on? at the moment I am setting it form 9 - 6... trying not to introduce bright light too early. What is best? The tanks have live plants in them so thinking I might need more light than this.

    2) I need some bottom feeders for one of the tanks. At the moment I am leaning towards either shrimp or panda cories. Size is sufficient. I want to get something that will breed because I, like probably most of you, get too tempted to buy new fish every time I step foot in an aquarium. Most of the bottom feeders except for shrimp take forever to reach sexual maturity. Any suggestions?

    3) I REALLY want to get Endlers Livebarers for another tank but havent been able to find then anywhere in cape town. I am in near century city and none of the shops near me seem to stock any. How do you get a hold of a fish that you can't find in a store?

    Sorry if the questions are lame - any help would be appreciated.
     
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  3. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    Hi @daansteraan !

    1) that would depend on a couple of things including the light specs and which plants you have in the tank. Details and photos would help. 9-6 is a lot.

    2) shrimp take 3 months to sexual maturity which is much quicker than Corys and they basically raise themselves

    3) I’ve got some endlers at aquatic warehouse in the southern suburbs. If you can’t find them locally , try McMerwe, Aqua Empire etc that could courier in for you
     
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  4. OP
    daansteraan

    daansteraan

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    Hi!

    Thanks for the great advice,

    I went for shrimp at the end of the day, I think I am going to be a bit patient with the cory's.

    Tanks are looking horrendous at the moment so will post when they look a bit better hahaha! In terms of plants though - I have 1 amazon sword (or could be an anubis - not really sure how to tell the difference), some bacopa, and what I think is Limnophila based on pics from google. Also have a small patch of something that literally just looks like grass.

    I checked out aquatic warehouse - great stock but unfortunately no endlers .... again I must learn some patience. Which does not come easy.
     
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  5. Saibot

    Saibot

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    What do you mean you can't tell the difference between and amazon sword and an anubias. They don't look that similar..
     
  6. Stu_walks_his_fish

    Stu_walks_his_fish

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    I got some endlers from pet adventure (Claremont) about 3 weeks ago, I got the last few. I never saw them in the store before that day and I'm yet to see them again. I also haven't seen them anywhere else. I'd suggest just visiting different stores regularly and hope for a lucky day
     
  7. AQP

    AQP

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    most stores in CPT get the fish stock in on a Wednesday or Thursday
    Easiest would be to call them and ask if they have any in stock, then drive out

    also will prevent you from buying more/other fish instead :lol::lol:
     
  8. TheGrissom

    TheGrissom

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    Hi,

    I would have the lights on when you are home so you can enjoy the fish. The plants will be fine as long as they get sufficient light, it doesnt matter what the time of day is.
     
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  9. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    My tank’s lights are on from 6 am to 7pm
    As @TheGrissom says, it fits in to my work day. Want to see (and feed) the fish before I go to work, and when I get home again
     
  10. A new day

    A new day Moderator

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    On most of my tanks I can leave the lights on that long, but on the 180L I run into trouble with green spot algae as the light is pretty intense despite being LED (Juwel standard)...I’m around most of the day these days but it still pains me to have to switch off the lights on that tank before I’m ready to say goodbye :(
     
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  11. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I did have an algae issue, but the Bristle Nose has taken care of that
     
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  12. Saibot

    Saibot

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    Boss little guys those. They really do help quite a bit with the algae
     
  13. OP
    daansteraan

    daansteraan

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    Haha, yeah I suck at identifying plants. comments was from a quick google search, I still have a lot to learn
     
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  14. Saibot

    Saibot

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    No worries, we all started out with no knowledge. Google the Anubias and the swords they are quite different. Swords grow longer as well while the anubias are generally smaller.
     

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