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Post by wallflwrxx on May 27, 2005 16:03:08 GMT -5
I was wondering if anybody had any information about tank size for guppies. All the information I have read so far only seems to deal with guppy fry.
Also, since I am still in school, we have a 10 gallon limit, and I already have a 2 gallon and a 2.5 gallon...would it be possible to just keep one male guppy in a 5 gallon tank or so or is that too little?
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Post by amanichen on May 27, 2005 16:14:55 GMT -5
I was wondering if anybody had any information about tank size for guppies. All the information I have read so far only seems to deal with guppy fry. Also, since I am still in school, we have a 10 gallon limit, and I already have a 2 gallon and a 2.5 gallon...would it be possible to just keep one male guppy in a 5 gallon tank or so or is that too little? You can keep up to 4 adults in a 5 gallon, but remember to have a place to dump the fry  (i.e. there's a store in Christiansburg where I've donated guppy fry a few times.) But, if you have the room in your room, and the dorm manager lets you, try for a 10 gallon. |
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Post by wallflwrxx on May 27, 2005 19:59:20 GMT -5
Sorry, I have a few more questions  If I just buy a plain 5 gallon or so tank, what kind of filter should I use? I have heard a box filter suggested, but I'm not really sure what that is, or if it should just be used for keeping the fry. Or can I just use some other type of filter? Also, what should their water be treated with? Can I just use NovAqua & Amquel along with aquarium salt - do I need to add anything else? Since they are social fish, would keeping just males together result in a lot of nipping? I know that keeping just females together could result in guppy fry because they can keep sperm in their bodies. I am kind of worried about the possibility of tons of guppy fry and managing their food - something that is not too easily handled in an already small college dorm room. Thanks, and sorry I keep asking so many questions. |
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Post by amanichen on May 27, 2005 20:41:48 GMT -5
I have heard a box filter suggested, but I'm not really sure what that is, or if it should just be used for keeping the fry. This is just a standard power filter for an aquarium -- Aquaclears, Penguins, and Whispers. power filter = hang on back filter = box filter An Aquaclear Mini would be inexpensive and work well for a 5 gallon tank. Those two will work, as will a light amount of salt. Get an idea of the pH and KH of the water in your dorm, and that'll help determine whether or not you need a pH buffer. I wouldn't get four males -- get a male, and three females, or just four females if you want. You aren't going to have tons of guppy fry, but you will need to get rid of them every so often to prevent overcrowding. Wait till they're around 3/4" long before donating them to a fish store. Remember, not all of the fry that are born will survive: some will die of natural causes, some will be eaten by the parents, and others will be abducted by aliens. If you're not intending to raise show-quality fry, then they can eat the same food that the parents do (flakes, bloodworms, algae flakes, etc.) just broken up into smaller pieces. Feel free to ask other questions =) |
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Post by wallflwrxx on May 27, 2005 23:35:45 GMT -5
Thanks for explaining all of that to me.  So...if I get the AquaClear Mini, what should I order as extra media - mini foam and the mini carbon? That seems to make sense... If I find I do need a pH buffer, do you have any suggestions? And lastly, what would be a nice variety of foods for fancy guppies? I read elsewhere in the forum that TetraMin Granules are a good choice...anything else? Any suggestions as to the type of algae flakes I should get? Sorry if it sounds like I can't make any decisions about this kind of stuff - I really can't!  |
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Post by twoluvcats on May 28, 2005 10:07:31 GMT -5
my guppy females LOVE freeze dried bloodworms, spirulina flakes and the tetramin granules. I feed fry Hikari First Bites, and everything the adults eat, just smooshed up fine. If you need a pH buffer, I really Like Neutral Regulator from Seachem. I don't have an Aquaclear so I don't know about the media |
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Post by Rachel on May 28, 2005 11:23:09 GMT -5
So...if I get the AquaClear Mini, what should I order as extra media - mini foam and the mini carbon? That seems to make sense... I have an Aquaclear 20 (previously known as the mini) and it comes with foam, a carbon pack and Biomax. The foam acts as mechanical filtration and is reusable so you can just wash it in old tank water when you clean the tank. You don't really need to buy any extras. The Biomax is used for biological filtration and doesn’t get washed at water changes. Carbon is helpful for removing medicine from the water or clearing water, removing odors, and removing some organic waste. Will you be keeping live plants in your tank? If not, carbon on a regular basis is probably a good idea. I have a 5.5 gal tank with live plants that has 2 bettas in it, and currently I just have the foam and Biomax as my media. I'll use carbon for about 1 week every month for my tank because it removes trace elements from the water that plants benefit from. |
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Post by wallflwrxx on May 28, 2005 12:10:13 GMT -5
When I test the pH and the kH, what should I be looking for? I've read that the pH for guppies should be around 7.0-7.2...is that accurate? I'm not sure about the kH though. How will I know if I need a pH buffer? Sorry I'm so clueless about these things.  Thanks for providing all the extra information about the filter. I guess I'll look up more information about the filter and go from there. |
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Post by amanichen on May 29, 2005 23:32:16 GMT -5
I take it you've never kept any other fish than bettas?
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Post by wallflwrxx on May 30, 2005 8:28:11 GMT -5
Yes, that would be correct Sorry about my lack of general fish knowledge |
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Post by amanichen on May 31, 2005 10:26:44 GMT -5
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(i.e. there's a store in Christiansburg where I've donated guppy fry a few times.)
