iceblue

I rescued an aquarium from certain uselesness before the trash trucks could haul it away. (Yes, my hobby has me trash digging.)

With a little bit of knowledge I think I understand why it was given such an ignoble end. The tank itself had a 3" wide band of calcium build up around the top and the gravel was filthy. From that I can extrapulate that water changes were rarely done if ever at all. Looks to me like a top off was all the previous owner felt was necesary. I can only hope they had enough sense to use a conditioner but I doubt it.

The small canister filter was rated at 80gph and imo didn't provide the kind of turnover needed to provide proper filtration for a regularly stocked tank. When I cleaned it I got another clue as to what happened to this tank. The sleeve sponge looked and felt like a glob of industrial sludge yet when I cleaned it up it apeared brand new. The charcoal sock was so grotesque that I put it in a sealed baggie and threw it away. The bio material had globs of gunk here and thier and was fighting a loseing battle. This filter never once had been cleaned.

So here's what I think happened. They bought the tank and took recomendations from a kid making minimum wage who sold them everything they needed without much regard as to what was actually required.

"Yes this filter has everthing in it you need and you'll also need a thermometer, some gravel, a heater, (this ones cheap) and a couple of rocks and some plastic plants."

"Now lets get you some fish. Sure, they all get along. You might also want to get an algae eater. These plecos are really nice. Your really going to like this aquarium."

Now they get the fish home, put water in the tank hook up the equipment and fill it with water. A couple of days later a few of the fish die. No big woop we'll just go get a couple more, thier cheap. A couple more die and this time thier a little aggrevated when they go back to the store. "Yea it happens sometimes and I'm so sorry. I can give you half price for a couple of these. Oh yea, they'll get along."

For a while everything goes along just fine but then they start dying off again and the new aquariest loads up on meds but they just keep dying. This is when the frustration really sets in and off to the curb the aquarium goes. "I'll never keep fish again."

They say ignorance is bliss but I doubt our fish would think so. Pass on the good knowledge my friends and it will be a rewarding experience for everybody including our captive friends.

atlantic reefer

interesting story. what are you going to turn it into?

iceblue

Right now I have a mated pair of German Blue Rams in it. I upgraded to a power filter and put a bacteria laden sponge in it from my 84g. Since I bought the Rams on impulse I had to set it up quickly so it's not the way I would like it right now.

When I get a few bucks ahead and finish my 350g project I plan to make my Rams a nice planted tank with driftwood and a diy background.

ijkl980

You speak very good! Very consistent with the theory now! Hope will express! Very grateful! I will often come to visit the Oh!wow power levelingwow power levelingwow power levelingwow power levelingwow power leveling

Diana

This reminds me of an experience I had in a store. Helping my niece shop for an aquarium for her room at college, I had to step away for a few minutes to run out to the car. When I came back she was at the check out with a Convict, a couple of golf fish, and a single tank.

I know a lot of you already see the problem.

If I hadn't come back in at the right moment, she would have purchased everything, put all of the fish in the same tank, and then wonder what happened to the gold fish, later.

I really wish pet shop personnel were trained to look at the differences in fish and actually help people set up compatible communities instead of just getting the money as fast as they can!

iceblue

A knowledgable local fish store is a treasure indeed. I have a couple of them here in the Vegas Valley but, we also have far to many box stores with little in the way of caring employees.