New tank: cold water (intended for a crayfish). Have a few questions..

[Streen]

Hey everyone I'm starting out on my first tank and I have a few questions.

My tank was purchased from Petcetera aroudn 10 years ago when I was 14 and back then I knew nothing about aquariums and never tested for ammonia/nitrates/nitrites, and didnt know what "cycling" was, and my poor fish all seemed to die very young, and I never knew why, so after the last one died I put the aquarium away and didnt touch it again until now.

This time I want to do it right, so I have a few questions that I'm going to ask, for my future fishes' sakes. (was that proper grammar? nevermind dont answer that)

First, heres the 'vital' info:
The tank is a 5 gallon plastic tank.The base measures 12" by 7", and it is 12" tall, so its taller than it is wide. It has the undergravel filtering system that it seems most cheap plastic aquariums have, but I was at the Petcetera going out of business sale and everything was 60% off so I bought one of these filters ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) that suction cups to the inside of the tank. It was so cheap, even though I didnt know if it was any good I still bought it anyways. Anyone have an opinion on these? And if I should be using it in my tank, should I also keep the air pumping through for the undergravel filter, or no?

I'm planning on putting a crayfish in this tank and I heard they dont like warm water, so since I dont have a heater this seems like a good fit (at least in my head). Correct me if I'm wrong. What would some good fishes be to go in the tank with him that would be fine around room temperature, and that are fairly easy for a beginner? I bought a bubble bar to put in the bottom of the tank because I read that I should have one for a cray as they need the oxygen (especially in a taller tank). Would it be beneficial for him if I lowered the water level a bit, maybe only 3/4 or so?

EDIT: oh yea I forgot this part.
How much should a proper testing kit cost? (I'm Canadian but to get rid of the confusion just answer in US dollars if you can). And when I think of a pH tester I think of those slips of litmus paper that change color when dipped into water, but I would guess something like that wouldnt be sensitive enough for aquarium use? When I was at the pet store they were charging $10 for a pH test kit with the liquid-with-an-eyedropper kind and it was only good for around 50 uses.. That price seemed somewhat excessive to me, but then again I dont know so thats why I'm asking. Also I saw ammonia test kits specified either NH3 or NH4, do I need one or hte other, or both?

Re-reading this post I feel like I kinda look like an idiot for asking so many basic questions, but I dont want these poor animals to suffer like my set 10 years ago did, and I want to be sure to get everything right before I get them.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give.

[Northernguy]

That tank is good for a beta or 1 crayfish!
Its too small for most fish.You could get a bigger tank used somewhere and it will make keeping fish alive much easier!

[jaysee]

I love crayfish and I'm glad you have an interest in them, but there's a few things you should know. For starters, they like cold water, but can live in warm water as well. I've kept them at temps over 80. Next, crayfish are predators, so IMO it is best to keep them with fish you can easily replace should one or two go missing...I wouldn't keep them with fish you ordered online. Also, a 5 gallon is not large enough for any crayfish other than the dwarf varieties. The dwarf crayfish tops out at 2 inches and is a much better choice.

Crayfish don't need bubbles to get oxygen as long as you have a power filter. The bubbles themselves don't provide any oxygen, but rather the surface disturbance. The bubbles break the surface tension of the water allowing the gas (O2/CO2) exchange to occur. A power filter does this with the outflow. The only possible benefit to lowering the water level is it might ensure that the crayfish does not crawl out of the tank. They are notorious escape artists and if you place a tall plant in the wrong spot, it'll get out.

Ditch the undergravel filter - it's just not that good of a filtration system and IMO are more trouble than they're worth.

[rangur1]

i was never able to keep crayfish with fish because either the crayfish ate the fish OR the fish ate the crayfish when it molted. i would keep the crayfish by itself in a 5 gal tank.
as for test kits, you will want a master freshwater test kit. it has PH,ammonia,nitrite,nitrate plus a kit for KH -crusteacens require calcium carbonate to form their new exoskelotons, plus they cannot tolerate any pollution ammo,nitrites,nitrates<10.

a good brand is aquarium pharmicueticals [API] online,it should cost around 25-30 USD.

[jaysee]

5 gallons is just NOT enough for a regular crayfish. 10 is a MINIMUM. 20 is better.

[Streen]

Thank you everyone for the responses.

I've completely ditched the undergravel filter, the only filter in the tank is the suction-cup submersible one. How well does this kind of filter work? I guess if it doesnt work too well I'll just have to do more frequent water changes....

In this thread on these forums ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) I found some help regarding the master test kit and how much one should cost, I'm going to be looking around town for one and if I cant find one or its very expensive I'll end up ordering it online from [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I absolutely love lobsters and crayfish though I've never kept one myself, so I shall wait until I get a bigger tank to get the cray, when I was planning this all in my head I was thinking my tank was 8-9 gallons and thought it would be doable but once it came out of storage its only a 5, so the tank shall just be used for a few small goldfish.

I've only spent around $25 so far on this 5g tank (the original tank and equipment was for my 14th birthday a decade ago) so this isnt a major setback, I'll just get this tank cycled and goin properly and I'll start looking around for a 10 or 20 gallon one once this one is somewhat stabilized and I have a better idea of exactly what it is that I'm doing.

Thank you everyone :1luvu:

[emilyekk]

Thank you everyone for the responses.

I've completely ditched the undergravel filter, the only filter in the tank is the suction-cup submersible one. How well does this kind of filter work? I guess if it doesnt work too well I'll just have to do more frequent water changes....

In this thread on these forums ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) I found some help regarding the master test kit and how much one should cost, I'm going to be looking around town for one and if I cant find one or its very expensive I'll end up ordering it online from [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I absolutely love lobsters and crayfish though I've never kept one myself, so I shall wait until I get a bigger tank to get the cray, when I was planning this all in my head I was thinking my tank was 8-9 gallons and thought it would be doable but once it came out of storage its only a 5, so the tank shall just be used for a few small goldfish.

I've only spent around $25 so far on this 5g tank (the original tank and equipment was for my 14th birthday a decade ago) so this isnt a major setback, I'll just get this tank cycled and goin properly and I'll start looking around for a 10 or 20 gallon one once this one is somewhat stabilized and I have a better idea of exactly what it is that I'm doing.

Thank you everyone :1luvu:

Hey hun, I hate to be the bearer of bad knews... but the 5gal tank CANNOT be used for a "few small goldfish" - - - or even one small goldfish.

Goldfish (one) needs a 30 gal tank MINIMUM!!! I didn't know this until I joined these forums a few months ago either, but do not put the poor goldies in that tank! I would recommend a betta, and maybe a snail to go with him if you want. A betta would love a 5 gal! =)

[Streen]

...
Goldfish (one) needs a 30 gal tank MINIMUM!!! .
...


Ouch, really? I thought I'd be doing the goldfish a huge favor putting him in a 5 gallon with a filter instead of those stupid little goldfish bowls that you always see at the pet stores...

Excuse my ignorance, but is this because of all the waste they generate, or is it because because they will outgrow it?

What else could be my possible options for a ~70F 5 gallon? I really dont like bettas at all, and the only time I ever appreciate snails is when theyre served up with butter at $8-10 a serving.

[Sharon]

How about an African Dwarf Frog....:ssmile:

[iZinedane]

Ouch, really? I thought I'd be doing the goldfish a huge favor putting him in a 5 gallon with a filter instead of those stupid little goldfish bowls that you always see at the pet stores...

Excuse my ignorance, but is this because of all the waste they generate, or is it because because they will outgrow it?

What else could be my possible options for a ~70F 5 gallon? I really dont like bettas at all, and the only time I ever appreciate snails is when theyre served up with butter at $8-10 a serving.

Actually one Goldfish needs a 20g minimum and another 10g for any additional Goldfish.
Goodluck With your tank :22:

[MrJim]

Ouch, really? I thought I'd be doing the goldfish a huge favor putting him in a 5 gallon with a filter instead of those stupid little goldfish bowls that you always see at the pet stores...

Excuse my ignorance, but is this because of all the waste they generate, or is it because because they will outgrow it?

What else could be my possible options for a ~70F 5 gallon? I really dont like bettas at all, and the only time I ever appreciate snails is when theyre served up with butter at $8-10 a serving.

I didn't think much of snails until I got some and found them to be most fascinating critters, especially the bigger ones~I refer to my 10 gal as a snail tank with some fish visitors:hmm3grin2orange:

[jaysee]

Ouch, really? I thought I'd be doing the goldfish a huge favor putting him in a 5 gallon with a filter instead of those stupid little goldfish bowls that you always see at the pet stores...

Excuse my ignorance, but is this because of all the waste they generate, or is it because because they will outgrow it?

What else could be my possible options for a ~70F 5 gallon? I really dont like bettas at all, and the only time I ever appreciate snails is when theyre served up with butter at $8-10 a serving.

They'll outgrow it. If you've even seen a betta in a real tank instead of a bowl or a cup, you may think twice about them. They are loaded with personality. Otherwise, you could do a cherry shrimp colony or maybe a few guppies. Dwarf frogs are another good choice as Sharon suggested.

You forgot the garlic to go with the snails and butter!

[Wild Turkey]

Excuse my ignorance, but is this because of all the waste they generate, or is it because because they will outgrow it?


Both. Doesnt sound like you are very ignorant at allthumbs2:

The min tank size for goldfish varies. However, a 20 gal+ is needed to keep one of any of them. Comets can get over 1 foot in some cases

[rangur1]

goldfish in a 5 gal tank is biggest myth still put foward.

as for options, white cloud minnows,pearl danios,1 dwarf gourami maybe,guppies

[rangur1]

forget my last post,forgot your tank was cold, the white cloud minnows and pearl danios should be able to handle that temperature.

[Wild Turkey]

Panda corys also do well in moderate temps (around 65 and above) for those of us that want to keep cooler tanks but dont want to miss out on our corydoras :D

I think the 5 gal is too small for those as well though

[Streen]

Both. Doesnt sound like you are very ignorant at allthumbs2:

The min tank size for goldfish varies. However, a 20 gal+ is needed to keep one of any of them. Comets can get over 1 foot in some cases


When I was looking at the goldfish in store there was one tank of tiny ones that the employee said were intended for ponds and could get to 18" (99 cents per fish) and the fantails and black moors in the other tank would all only get to 5 or 6 inches, so they would be better for smaller tanks. ($2.99 per fish)

Then again I'm sure if she were to tell everyone that came in "all these fish will get too big, get a snail instead" the store wouldnt be doin so well....

Looking at my tank now, if the goldfish got to 4" in that tank that would be ridiculous, the tank itself is only 13" by 8" for the base, and then 12" tall (top to bottom) .. The poor fish would barely have room to turn around!

[Streen]

Also, to those recommending shrimp or snails, would I need to get more testing supplies to test for copper or calcium carbonate?

[Wild Turkey]

Not usually. You will need to provide calcium for both (most likely) but its real easy. I have 3 shrimp tanks and more invert tanks in the works, they are a blast imo. Just make sure you research first, like anything you wish to keep.

Disregard what the lady said about the goldfish. There is a user on this site that has a black moor thats the size of a football! You have it right, she is just trying to make a sale.

[red eyes]

5 white mountain cloud minnows, too small IMO but will work, their also quite hansom fish.