Keeping Crappie Happy

**jay2487** · 11-24-2009, 02:24 PM

I'm new so by parameters I'm guessing you mean water quality? I keep it as close to neutral PH as possible, usually 7.0 on the dot. I check for ammonia and nitrates about once every 3 days and haven't seen a sopike since I moved to the bigger tank. He's in a 4 footer now with a RES and several swordtails. Please forgive me if I didn't answer your question but I'm not sure what you mean, I'm a noob lol

**Northernguy** · 11-24-2009, 02:28 PM

I highly advise you read the free ebook.It will give you a better idea on how a tank works.
You also need to test for nitrites.
Ammonia and nitrites are huge fish killers.
Your tank should read some nitrates and 0 ammonia and nitrites!
What kind of test kit are you using?
Are your tanks properly cycled?

**jay2487** · 11-24-2009, 02:35 PM

I ran the filter for two straight days before I put the first fish in. I'm not sure what kind of test they are but you mix water and a highly corrosive liquid in a test tube for the ammonia test, it cost $25 so I figured it was a good one. The PH is the same way but it has two test tubes attached to each other. I've never had a change in the PH reading in the tank. I don't have a NITRITE test so I will look into that tonight. If there is anymore to cycling than letting the filter run for a while then I didn't

**Northernguy** · 11-24-2009, 02:39 PM

Theres your problem!
Your tank is nowhere near cycled.Usually we reccomend you do a fishless cycle but you already have fish.
Read this link.
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ad.php?t=36492
I also reccomend you get an API master liquid test kit.

Start with doing a large water change.Do not forget to add dechlorinator each time.
I think 50% would be a good start.You may have to them daily until the toxins have been reduced.

**jay2487** · 11-24-2009, 02:50 PM

I have well water should I still dechlorinate? Would it be better to put all the fish in my 30gal hex that's been running a while and has plenty of healthy fish and do the fishless cycle method?

**Northernguy** · 11-24-2009, 02:55 PM

If you have a cycled tank just remove some of the media from the filter and add to the uncycled filter.If its a cartridge you can rub them together or cut off a piece and put it in the other filter.
That will almost instantly cycle your tank and make safe for your fish.
You do not need dechlorinator for well water.You still have to test the water to be sure its cycled.

**jay2487** · 11-24-2009, 03:08 PM

Ok I'll try that and see if the crappies behavior improves thanks a lot I'll read the ebook too

**jay2487** · 11-30-2009, 01:04 PM

After lowering the tank temp for my crappie he has gotten a lot more active and I see he is going to turn into a real predator. If you remember I had to get rid of his bigger counterpart after it ate 10 feeders in one day. Now little Bruce as I named him is a destroyer of ghost shrimp and the tiniest of guppies. I guess he has finally gotten used to the tank because he no longer lets the swordtails boss him around and he will eat flakes from the top, shrimp pellets as they fall to the bottom(never making it) and occasionally one of those tiny spotted guppies(not a fancy forgot the name). He is really cool to watch now. Crappies don't swim like most fish(or at least mine doesn't)he swims like a robot, flying to one spot then coming to a complete halt like he slammed the breaks. Really cool