Mcheuk's Tank And Filtration Setup, Experience/comments on use of pebbles Options

[MCheuk]

Dear veterans,

Originally I had pebbles & plants in my tank for visual appeasement (see attached picture). However, after two months, I found that the pebbles retained a lot of poop and debris. I also discovered baby snails developing (which could be a good / bad sign, depending on the person).

I made 20% water changes per week, but noted some of my ranchus developing red sores on the bodies and blood veins in their fins recently (Water temp was 26C. The tank was running a week before any fish were added) Therefore, I assumed the water quality was inferior. I decided to revamp the tank and it is now a bare tank. The pebbles and plants made the tank look nice, but it created water issues.

Have many of you experienced this?
For goldfish/ranchus - is the best suggestion to have a bare tank?

Thank you.



This post has been edited by CP: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 4:26 pm
Reason: Topic moved & renamed

[The Matrix]

bare tank remove all these problems. but 20% water change is way too little. How abt checking yr water parameters ? yr nitrates should be sky high.

pebbles is okay for visual purpose but maintaining it will be a headache. U got to do gravel cleaning (suction) during weekly water change. Can go to your local fish shop to look for those meant for such purpose. Or u can custom make one with those 500ml plastic soft drink bottle. Got $$$ can buy those electric powered gravel cleaner.

snails usually from the plants u put into the tank. In future, try to keep the plants in another small tank for a month or so before placing into the main tank. Once u detect snails or other pests, u can still clean the plants and kill the snails or pests relatively easy. Right now, u got to dose the tanks with anti-snail copper solution which might destroy the entire tank system.

As long as u can control the pest problem, having a gravel and decorated tank will beautify the fish greatly.

[CP]

Pretty nice setup you have there, and pretty nice ranchus too.

Here in RG we always recommend bare tanks, cos its much easier to maintain.Of course, it is not aesthetically as pleasing.

As mentioned by Matrix, 20% weekly change is too little.Pls check your nitrate levels.The stocking level now looks OK, but that is the max. number of fishes of this size that you can keep.

[MCheuk]

bare tank remove all these problems. but 20% water change is way too little. How abt checking yr water parameters ? yr nitrates should be sky high.

pebbles is okay for visual purpose but maintaining it will be a headache. U got to do gravel cleaning (suction) during weekly water change. Can go to your local fish shop to look for those meant for such purpose. Or u can custom make one with those 500ml plastic soft drink bottle. Got $$$ can buy those electric powered gravel cleaner.

snails usually from the plants u put into the tank. In future, try to keep the plants in another small tank for a month or so before placing into the main tank. Once u detect snails or other pests, u can still clean the plants and kill the snails or pests relatively easy. Right now, u got to dose the tanks with anti-snail copper solution which might destroy the entire tank system.

As long as u can control the pest problem, having a gravel and decorated tank will beautify the fish greatly.

Thanks for the advice. I did check the water weekly and the indicator didn't say off the charts with the nitrate. Anywars, with the bare tank now, let's hope this problem is easier handled.

I was informed that gravel cleaning may release pockets of toxic water so it would be best to remove the water from the top. Please let me know if I am misinformed as I would like to place the gravel back in! btw - I feed my ranchus sinking pellets (saki hikari). The key problem was that these pellets would get caught in places where the ranchus cannot reach, and since these pellets are small, I couldn't always find them. As result I think this contributed to the water being more contaminated.

(My ranchus love the saki hikari. I have noted the pooped is more impact.)

Thanks for the wisdom on the plants. Even though the ranchus like to nibble on the leaves, I think I'll stay away from plants because rotten leaves contribute to the contanimation of water. I did try the anti-snail solution but think that hastened the water problem (even though I changed a 30% of the water after each application).

The tank is bare now, but with the experience, I may reconsider using gravel again. It really makes the bank aesthetically better!

[MCheuk]

Pretty nice setup you have there, and pretty nice ranchus too.

Here in RG we always recommend bare tanks, cos its much easier to maintain.Of course, it is not aesthetically as pleasing.

As mentioned by Matrix, 20% weekly change is too little.Pls check your nitrate levels.The stocking level now looks OK, but that is the max. number of fishes of this size that you can keep.

CP - thanks. I really enjoyed watching the tanks in the evenings. It's rather different now that it's bare!

I had the dealer/sales guy search for specific ranchus for me (from China). I wanted AA and below SVR (specific colors too). He was able to locate quite a few and then I selected these ones. Wierd thing is the black ranchu eventually started going orange! Initially I fed them a feed which promoted redness, so once that color transformation started, I switched to Saki Hikari. But it's too late, my fish is 85% orange now!

The dealer offered to take him back, but I really like the fish's character. Always approached me, smart, active and responsive. So I'm going to keep him. Although he's spotty now, I don't mind. Let's see if I can change him back to black (via food, lighting, water temp etc.). Will keep you guys posted.

[The Matrix]

hope yr experience will bring more knowledge to RG as well.

My tank is also with gravel and plants except the setup too me 2 mths to complete. I dun use small sand based pebble, but I like to use glass or clear plastic marbles. That add shine to the tank. Also, much easier to clean compare to sandy base. Can always try larger rocks, plastic plants and even golf balls ... hahahaha some of the RG people will know what I meant. Nothing stops u from being creative.

Yes, cleaning the sand base will release some form of toxic. Actually pretty toxic. I remove my fish before changing water and run for a while before putting them back.

Plants also need nutrients. U need to feed the plants as well. Leave usually turn yellow before rot ... probably lack of magnesium, I think. Erh ... this one must ask our plant expert Laserguy liao.

anyway u really have very good chinese ranchu.

[CP]

Here is another discussion on gravel tank, belonging to gohks:

http://www.rafflesgold.com/forums/index.ph...c=3174&st=0

[chochiss]

dear mcheuk,

any update for to share with us?

Tung Hoi ranchus??

[The Matrix]

dear mcheuk,

any update for to share with us?

Tung Hoi ranchus??

dun look like tung hoi ranchu leh ... more like fuzhou lanshou.

[MCheuk]

Wow, you guys are professionals. I honestly don't know whether the ranchus are tung hoi or fuzhou. Next time I'm at the fish shop, I'll be sure to ask!

btw - Matrix, how can you tell where the fish come from?

Latest update on the tank is that I am seriously reconsidering putting the stones back in. But no plants. I am resisting... as per the advice of the elder advisers.

Plus, two of my ranchus recently developed 'pimples' on their wens. It was the HITH symptom, so I've isolated the two ranchus for the time being and going to research this site for the best remedy.

Later...

[The Matrix]

Wow, you guys are professionals. I honestly don't know whether the ranchus are tung hoi or fuzhou. Next time I'm at the fish shop, I'll be sure to ask!

btw - Matrix, how can you tell where the fish come from?

Latest update on the tank is that I am seriously reconsidering putting the stones back in. But no plants. I am resisting... as per the advice of the elder advisers.

Plus, two of my ranchus recently developed 'pimples' on their wens. It was the HITH symptom, so I've isolated the two ranchus for the time being and going to research this site for the best remedy.

Later...

put back the stones slowly and learn how to maintain it. of course, if things dun go well, just remove again.

i happened to see more fishes only. not that i can tell where they came from. certain area or farms breed different line of fish.

[MCheuk]

Just checked - my ranchus are from Dong zhou. They have several Dong Hoi ranchus, quite nice and premium price. These are the two preferred and larger farms for HK dealers to purchase from.

[chochiss]

Tung Hoi?? You must check out their Ryukins......

[jeff123]

Really a nice setup MCHEOK. But am a boring and not art inclined person so
do baretank lol.

For plants use one with alum solution. Soak plants in it. snail and eggs
are killed even if not detected. Or go plastic argh???

Your small pebbles are nice. I did use it once but remove it because
me so lazy Also small shells drive ph up a bit. Nice if
I you add sodium bicarb. to the mix.

Your black ranchu very nice!!! But even here in philipines
i ever buy Black ranchu. They turn gold 1 month. Only solution
is pond water which I dont have.

Very nice! Send a pix how everything looks.

jeff123

[MCheuk]

Jeff123,

Here is the picture of my plain tank now. Note my black ranchu has turned gold now. Latest population update: lost one gold ranchu to HITH and replaced her with the white and red cap one.



Rather boring now I must say! I think over the holidays I will venture back to adding some pebbles and the rocks.

Leave the plants out for the time being.

Cheers