Hi all from Rosie, Surrey (Newbie)

Silvaquest · Post by **Silvaquest** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:04 pm

Hello,

I have been an enthusiast for four months now and was shown these beautiful plecs by my boyfriend (He owns 12 Piranhas and over 50 community fish) from the Tri-mar Aquaria website. I instantly fell in love with the speciman and pursued in the direction of having my very own Zebra Plec.

I have a Fluval 125L Tank and a Fluval 105 External Filter fitted (Soon to be replaced with a Fluval 305 External Filter). The tank is set up with RO Water and a 10% water change on a weekly basis and is currently reading a PH of 7, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate currently reading 10 but action has been taken to reduce it down to 5.

I have owned a selection of community fish consisting of Serpia Tetras, Black Widow Tetras, Penguin Tetras and Glow Light Tetras. They have now been transferred to another tank and I await two beautiful Zebra Plecs this Saturday, really can't wait!!

I have done plenty of research via the internet on many sites and found that this site was the most informative and helpful. I plan to breed from them but not until they have fully settled into their new home. I'd appreciate any comments or tips and look forward to any replys.

Rosie

Post by **John** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:19 pm

Welcome Silvaquest

bonsai · Post by **bonsai** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:21 pm

Welcome

bonsai · Post by **bonsai** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:22 pm

Welcome

twinspots_goby · Post by **twinspots_goby** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:32 pm

Welcome to the zeb world!

smithrc · Post by **smithrc** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:28 pm

Welcome

Is the tank now empty of fish?

Silvaquest · Post by **Silvaquest** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:25 pm

Yes currently it is. The readings that I have were taken yesterday evening. It's been empty since Sunday evening.

smithrc · Post by **smithrc** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:36 pm

Thats a bad thing....

Without fish in there the good bacteria will die off and the tank will need to cycle agin once you add fish - something that is not a good idea at all with the zebs going in there.

Add some fish back in there ASAP and when you add the zebs swap some of the filter media from your other mature tank.

Sorry to panic you but I would hate to see you loose the zebs

Stevie.K · Post by **Stevie.K** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:36 pm

A big welcome

Silvaquest · Post by **Silvaquest** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:09 am

Thanks for the advice. I will put some fish back in straight away.

Would you say that my Nitrate reading is a major worry?

Many Thanks
Rosie

Stevie.K · Post by **Stevie.K** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:34 pm

Your nitrate is no problem, i keep mine around 10 ppm.
Just keep an eye on your ammonia & nitrite, these are the killers

Silvaquest · Post by **Silvaquest** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:42 pm

That's good to know thankyou. I have drawn up a test chart, which I will action weekly a day or two before my water change, just to keep on top of things.

smithrc · Post by **smithrc** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:59 pm

dread to think what my nitrates are at...

They are not as fragile as some would have you believe

ours only started spawning after no water changes for about 7 weeks

Silvaquest · Post by **Silvaquest** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:29 am

Lol I might be in for some luck after all then....

Only two days away now

idealy I'd like a Male and female but from what I've read on the site it's easier said than done. Theirs five to choose from but only have enough for two before the new law comes in....It gets me started.

Jamie24 · Post by **Jamie24** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:31 pm

new law?