Hi guys,
I'd checked everywhere but couldn't find a post relating to my question. I have a 35 gal setup, with 8 columbian tetras, 5 serpae tetras, one rainbow shark, plastic plants, hidey cave, a rock that looks like a donut, a roman thing with pillars that holds a bubbler, red cabomba, green cabomba, red ludwigia, and hygrophila polysperma.
The ph is 7.2, ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and nitrate is about 5-10 (was HIGH around 50+ before I added live plants). The nitrates were a constant battle, rising by 20 overnight. I couldn't find any organic decaying matter. I feed VERY sparingly. I was quite confused. I did a 75% water change when the nitrates hit 100+ because everyone was going after each other and becoming voracious eaters. Now, after the massive water change and more live plants, the nitrates seems to not rise above 10. I feel that issue has been solved though I still test the water every second morning to make sure it's not spiking so drastically. So far I can almost go one week per water change, I really don't understand it. I do know that once the shark reaches max size I have to switch him to a 50+gal tank, and I look forward to it
It would be beautiful.
My question: All my research puts my safe tank temp between 24-27 degrees. But I keep it at 22 because when I put it up to 24, the shark acts WEIRD. He starts acting..."floaty". It seems hard to explain. Anywhere he swims, he looks like he's testing his buoyancy or something. He'll rest on something on his mid tummy area, and it almost looks like he wants to see if he can balance. I could almost say it's like his energy level drops. The temp increase to 24 doesn't affect the tetras, it's like they don't notice.
Does anyone else here have experience with Rainbow sharks? What temp do you find best in your tank? How does yours act? Mine loves to forage along the bottom, he cleans but doesn't eat my live plants.
Thanks
I'd checked everywhere but couldn't find a post relating to my question. I have a 35 gal setup, with 8 columbian tetras, 5 serpae tetras, one rainbow shark, plastic plants, hidey cave, a rock that looks like a donut, a roman thing with pillars that holds a bubbler, red cabomba, green cabomba, red ludwigia, and hygrophila polysperma.
The ph is 7.2, ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and nitrate is about 5-10 (was HIGH around 50+ before I added live plants). The nitrates were a constant battle, rising by 20 overnight. I couldn't find any organic decaying matter. I feed VERY sparingly. I was quite confused. I did a 75% water change when the nitrates hit 100+ because everyone was going after each other and becoming voracious eaters. Now, after the massive water change and more live plants, the nitrates seems to not rise above 10. I feel that issue has been solved though I still test the water every second morning to make sure it's not spiking so drastically. So far I can almost go one week per water change, I really don't understand it. I do know that once the shark reaches max size I have to switch him to a 50+gal tank, and I look forward to it
My question: All my research puts my safe tank temp between 24-27 degrees. But I keep it at 22 because when I put it up to 24, the shark acts WEIRD. He starts acting..."floaty". It seems hard to explain. Anywhere he swims, he looks like he's testing his buoyancy or something. He'll rest on something on his mid tummy area, and it almost looks like he wants to see if he can balance. I could almost say it's like his energy level drops. The temp increase to 24 doesn't affect the tetras, it's like they don't notice.
Does anyone else here have experience with Rainbow sharks? What temp do you find best in your tank? How does yours act? Mine loves to forage along the bottom, he cleans but doesn't eat my live plants.
Thanks