New fish

[Fishguy2727]

Went to a couple good fish shops outside of Baltimore today after a trip to the aquarium. I ended up getting some swordtails and a gold nugget pleco. They had a weird japanese name for one of the swords, but they look like koi swords to me. I got four of those, a pair of green, a pair of marigolds, and a pair of red velvets. Unfortunately neither had any decent peacocks. I also got a nice albino red oscar.

[Abbeys_Mom]

I love new fish days. Sound like a nice group.

[Slinky_Bass]

Ahhh, gold nugget plecos! They're really beautiful fish, interesting too.

[nikipate]

I love new fish days too.... We're having one tomorrow. We are going to get some tiger barbs and clown loaches. I'm going to have to try to resist one of the new ones we say last time. I don't remember the name because this was not one I had ever seen before but I do remember that the price tag on it was $20. We are in the process of setting up a new 150 gal aquarium and the budget is stretched right to the breaking point right now.

I have a question for Reptileguy.... I noticed in your "signature" that you do 75% water changes weekly. My husband and I are relatively new to aquariums and we have been told that 30% changes every two weeks are best because if you do more then you are getting rid of too much beneficial bacteria and things like that. I would like to get you opinion and ask you why you do such large water changes.

Thanks,
Niki

[Fishguy2727]

You can't just jump into huge water changes. I actually wrote a whole thread on here exactly about that here. Weekly is best and the exact amount depends on your tank and experience. I do think you could step your way up 10-20% at a time though. As in: if doing 30% biweekly, step up to 30% weekly. Do that a couple weeks. Then step up to 40% weekly. All goes well, steup up to 50% weekly and so on. It also depends on the pH your fish need and your tap. Also keep in mind that many times, especially on well water, the pH out of the tap may be 6.8 or something, but after sitting out for a couple days (or in your tank) can jump dramatically. So figure out what pH your fish need, test the pH right out of the tap, and set a sample out and open and check the pH in there in 2 or 3 days. If all are equal, no worries as far as that goes. But if they are different buffers are needed to keep the pH ideal for your fish and stable.

[nikipate]

Okay, thanks for the info and the link to your previous posts. I'm pretty new here and am still poking around looking for info.

[Fishguy2727]

It's here for you. If you get nay other questions just post them in the appropriate forum or I am happy to answer private messages. Welcome and enjoy. Why not start by posting a new thread on what tank(s) you have now and who is in them?

[Severus]

Congrats on the new fish. I have seen those koi swordtails and they are very cool. My lfs is getting a new shipment in tommorow and i am gonna go check out all the new fish. Quick question: If i end up buying a few fish tommorrow will that be too much stress on them after just going to the store and then to my house.

[Wallyfish]

Thats cool that you got new fish. I would get an oscar when I get my new tank, but I think that would limit my options to just getting that one oscar. I know its a little off topic but I know that you keep glofish. Can you tell me if you have any experience with mixing regular zebra danios with them? I'm curious to know if they will school together or segregate based on color.

[Fishguy2727]

Depends on them, some fish will mix colors and school together, sometimes you can't get schooling fish to school.