RJRofFL

Hey Fluke3, it's Bob again.

Just like Judge I'm also a little confused. I can fully understand your strong determination to get a tropical fish aquarium. And that's fine. However, there is a right and wrong way to go about this.
You have been given good advice so far, and it appears you are listening to it, but seem to keep slipping off track with it and head in a different direction. Please trust me when I say that it is entirely possible to achieve what you want to do. If you will follow our advice, you will be successful, and the alternative I fear, will be a tankful of dead fish and you will be out whatever bucks you spent for them.

Here is what I suggest.

Your tank probably is already "cycled" since you say the readings are "fine." When you go to the LFS to purchase your new tropical fish, bring the goldfish with you in a container of water and request that they take him (perhaps in exchange or just point blank give to them). We at FTF do care about all our fish, and that certainly beats "flushing him." Understand?

IMO a 15gal with Angelfish, 2 Gouramis, 3-4 catfish is pretty much the max for it. You are liable to come across some aggression issues with the Angelfish as it will grow. The gouramis will grow too.
If you (and your friend) are prepared to deal with these issues, and can make an effort to keep the water conditions "excellent" by doing frequent water changes, then you can succeed with this.

If you will make this commitment, then I say "go for it" and the best of luck.

And always remember, we are here should you need future advice.

Take care,

Bob

FlucKe3

Hi judge, yeah I'm trying not to be cruel, ill do my best to keep away from cycling with fish. in concerns about the gold fish, i will either give it to my friend or yea... give it to the LPS

I'll consider fish less cycling if i have no other choice, but in the mean time ill see what Bob has to say

Hi Bob, sorry for not being clear and slipping off track and being a pain, just want to do what's best and be certain to know what to do.

I've checked the ammonia levels and its at 0 (sorry for being inaccurate), but i don't have a nitrite or nitrate test kit but i will get one this Friday.

If the nitrite and nitrate levels are 0 and <20 (respectively) i will just go by your suggestion Bob.
So if nitrite and nitrate turns out clear, should i just add the heater, do a water change and clean and change the filter media?

I just got into understanding the whole cycle process, because before i didn't know too much about fish, was inexperienced and stuffed up alot, but now i do thanks to all of you.

I treat this as a project and will be very committed in succeeding and taking your advice to help me do so.

Thanks in advanced and please remember i'm a beginner

RJRofFL

Hey Fluke3,

Absolutely no problem.
Each and every one of us was a "beginner" at one time and we have all stood in your shoes. Been there, done that.

Moving forward, I really suspect that since you've had the goldfish a while, that the tank actually is cycled. Ifyou like, you can take a small sample of the water to any LFS and they will test it for you. Just ask them for the actual "numbers" and not just a "your water is fine." Ask them also to give you a reading of the PH.

And yes, if your readings are ammonia=0, nitrite=0 and nitrate <20, you are good to go.
After you have re-homed the goldfish, I would suggest a 50% water change, crank the heater up to around 76 degrees and yes, I think because it's so old you should change the filter media.

One more suggestion.
Take a minute to look for my post on stocking schemes. Although I designed it for 29gal and 55gal tanks, if you subtract a few or eliminate a species, then these combos can work for you, too.
Just a suggestion.

http://www.fishtankforums.com/4-fres...g-schemes.html (Stocking Schemes)

Good luck. Keep in touch.

Bob

FlucKe3

Hi Bob

yeah i think it's cycled too since its been about 1 year.
ill tell you the results for the nitrIte and nitrAte tests on friday.
yeah the pH is neutral at 7.0 and ammonia is 0 ppm, they are both the liquid test kits

oh and about the aggression issue, if i get female angel and female gourami's would that lessen the aggression of the angel?? what else could i do??

thanks for your help

RJRofFL

Hey Fluke3, I seem to keep popping in as the "bad guy" in you life, but that's OK. I don't think you will hate me for it. I really am on your side.

As always I'll tell you what I think and why I think so. Although you do really want them, I am going to try to persuade you not to go with Angels and/or Gouramis. Remember you have a 15 gal tank. Angels will grow to at least 5" long and probably 10" high, and the gourami will grow equally as large. You tank is roughly 20"X10"X12". These fish will have no swimming room, will scrape their fins on the bottom or maybe be out of the water and will have barely enough room to turn around.

When you get to know me you will find I like to use analogies a lot as it helps sometimes to clarify things. So picture yourself stuck in an elevator with two 300 pounders, and it won't take long for "aggression" to set in. Get my point?

When you live on a sprawling ranch you can think horses and cattle and chickens, but if you live in a 3 room apartment you need to think gerbils.

Your tank is small so you need to think small. That doesn't mean you can't make it attractive. Let me play the role of "interior decorator" here, since this is something you and your friends are going to look at often. You want something colorful. Something interesting. And something active (otherwise you would look at just water.)
For both color and action you should consider a "school" (meaning 4-6) of small fish that will swim together that you can always see, instead of looking for the "one of this and one of that." A couple/three of bottom dwellers and a "centerpiece" fish. This way wherever you look you will see activity.

I suggest you consider and try:

5-6 Cardinal Tetras
2-3 dwarf cories
1-Male Dwarf Gourami (they don't grow as large as a gourami)
(If you have a dark colored gravel you could sub with Albino Cories for contrast)

Just give it some thought and let me know. OK?

Thanks,

Bob

FlucKe3

I'll give it some thought, still got some time to juggle ideas around

u've given me great advice

really appreciate it and thanks for all your help

btw your analogies crack me up