Keeping Fish

[Shellybean02]

I'm just gonna chime in If you have something like nerite snails, they can clean up the algae without destroying your plants. I'd like to get snails for algae cleanup, plants for converting the nitrite into oxygen, microorganisms for eating excess nitrite and fish for their prettiness^-^ Only I don't know a thing about ponds, I just know that that's one way to maintain a natural ecosystem.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Bacteria converts ammonia to nitrites, and bacteria converts nitrites to nitrates, plants use nitrates, plants convert co2 to oxygen. You remove extra nitrates with water changes in the absence of plants, too much nitrates cause algae blooms and growth.

 

[Shellybean02]

I need to get my facts straight-_- Thanks for the correction

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

 

[politicalcenter]

Good idea.

To grow underwater plants successfully in a pond the water needs to be low in nutrients. Too many nutrients will cause algae to grown and it smothers the underwater plants so they die off.

Most times, if you have fish and are feeding the fish.. there will be too many nutrients in the water from uneaten food and fish poop.

Its best to grow the plants in a pond with either no fish, or very few small ones. And don't feed the fish.. let the fish get natural food from insects that fall into the water and pond bugs, plants, etc.

I know you are right and I set up a pond just for plants. I made a mistake bringing in some plants from another pond and they had goldfish eggs on them. So guess what??? My plant pond became another goldfish pond.

I also have a pond for my bog plants...pickerel rush, arrowhead, flag iris, and some water lilies. They seem to do pretty well in my catfish tanks.

The problem I have with plants is the fact that the fish love them.

 

[politicalcenter]

I'm just gonna chime in If you have something like nerite snails, they can clean up the algae without destroying your plants. I'd like to get snails for algae cleanup, plants for converting the nitrite into oxygen, microorganisms for eating excess nitrite and fish for their prettiness^-^ Only I don't know a thing about ponds, I just know that that's one way to maintain a natural ecosystem.

I have some native snails in my ponds that came in on some gathered plants and they are doing well. I didn't mind having them because I also have some native Red Ear sunfish and they eat snails.

My algae is clearing up quite by accident. I have a livestock tank to water my hogs and I was taking water out of it and was filling some aluminum cans (for a solar greenhouse heater) and noticed water fleas in it. So I took the water out of the livestock tank and dumped it in my ponds and the water is clearing. So I guess I got lucky. I hope they survive the winter.

 

[Shellybean02]

Setting up my first tank(the first tank that belongs to me), and I'm getting a bit frustrated. I got a breeder box identical to this one: Fish Breeding Supplies & Equipment | That Fish Place

and I can't seem to attach it to my tank. I tried using three small suction cups in different areas but they keep falling off. What else can I try? I know this may have been a bad idea but I put water in already... what do you guys suggest?

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Shelly, did you get your fish? If not, why do you need a breeding box? You don't plan on breeding them, do you? Because breeder boxes are meant for live bearing fish, and betas lay eggs. Anyway, I'd try to get some small metal hooks and bend them over the rim of the tank, attaching them to the breeding box. You can also possibly use more suction cups. Good luck!

 

[Shellybean02]

No bettas yet - not until I set up the tank properly
I don't want to breed them until I know I can handle bettas properly. But yes I know they make nests for their eggs and a breeder box would be bad for breeding them; I got it to put one or two males in(separated), and the females will swim freely in the tank.
The idea was from Oldhen who posted a pic of their tank with bettas^-^ thanks Oldhen! I don't mean to steal your idea, it's just a good setup idea for beginners like me.
In order to establish a successful betta sorority, I know I should buy more plants, hideouts, and get more than two females.
I'm afraid to use metal because I don't want it to put rust or toxins in the water or anything like that

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

These are what I have, the Lee's uses metal clips, the smaller one is called a breed and show, I bought 10 of them years ago and I don't know if they make them anymore, I'm assuming you want to keep betta in them, just make sure the betta can get to the top of the water and use the cover because some will jump out and into the tank, breeder nets aren't good for long term, they don't have great water flow and algae can take hold, but they are roomy and cheap and have bendable wire clips, so a good option for starting, I think the one you have might be one that sits on the bottom of the tank.