The varied current of natural habitat
- Thread starter neutrino
- Start date
ONe of the first things I do if a new species I am keeping starts looking less that happy is adjust flow. Either up or down depending on research on that species. It is often long, constant stress of the environment that leads to ill-effects.
And observation of the fish and the tank as a whole, is needed. Not just look to enjoy the colors of the fish. Sit still and don't move for a few mins and the fish stop the usually begging for food or glass riding. After 10 mins you start seeing what is going on. After 20 mins when all fish think they are alone and get back to antics that happen when you are not around, you find out what is really happening. It needs time, patience and a willingness to do it.
it also gets me when people say the fish has issues, be it sick, hiding, etc., and describe what they have done to combat it. it is often the case that so many variables were changed that it is nigh on impossible to ascertain which one made a difference. Or, sit and wonder out loud what it could be. Not thinking the 7 changes made this week in the tank, in conjunction with new noises and vibrations, or whatever is going on around it all affect the fish.
Quarantine and time in the QT gives you the opportunity to study that/those fish and see how to best add them or adjust the tank before they go in so later less changes have to be made.
This is so important with high oxygen needs, or any other niche environment our fish come from.
Back to flow. I have spent the better part of the last 7 years keeping rheophilic fish in high flow tanks. It is very nuanced by species, size of fish and area fish inhabits. Even the most streamlines, torpedo shaped, water-rocket fish will find areas to rest. And not for a little while, for hours at night and non-feeding times.
I believe, as touched on before, there are differences in high flow and large water turnover. High flow aquarists use is often 2-3 circulation pumps pointing in different directions to blow mulm off the substate and keep the tank clean. When in fact, that same mulm should be collecting in quieter spots where fish can rest. A high volume turnover helps with DO but is not the always the best indicator that tank and water currents are set up properly.
Unidirectional flow, though harder to setup initially, has proven in my experiences to be the way forward. The fish seem happiest and harmonious as flow is predictable and almost every piece of hardscape has a lee side.
And observation of the fish and the tank as a whole, is needed. Not just look to enjoy the colors of the fish. Sit still and don't move for a few mins and the fish stop the usually begging for food or glass riding. After 10 mins you start seeing what is going on. After 20 mins when all fish think they are alone and get back to antics that happen when you are not around, you find out what is really happening. It needs time, patience and a willingness to do it.
it also gets me when people say the fish has issues, be it sick, hiding, etc., and describe what they have done to combat it. it is often the case that so many variables were changed that it is nigh on impossible to ascertain which one made a difference. Or, sit and wonder out loud what it could be. Not thinking the 7 changes made this week in the tank, in conjunction with new noises and vibrations, or whatever is going on around it all affect the fish.
Quarantine and time in the QT gives you the opportunity to study that/those fish and see how to best add them or adjust the tank before they go in so later less changes have to be made.
This is so important with high oxygen needs, or any other niche environment our fish come from.
Back to flow. I have spent the better part of the last 7 years keeping rheophilic fish in high flow tanks. It is very nuanced by species, size of fish and area fish inhabits. Even the most streamlines, torpedo shaped, water-rocket fish will find areas to rest. And not for a little while, for hours at night and non-feeding times.
I believe, as touched on before, there are differences in high flow and large water turnover. High flow aquarists use is often 2-3 circulation pumps pointing in different directions to blow mulm off the substate and keep the tank clean. When in fact, that same mulm should be collecting in quieter spots where fish can rest. A high volume turnover helps with DO but is not the always the best indicator that tank and water currents are set up properly.
Unidirectional flow, though harder to setup initially, has proven in my experiences to be the way forward. The fish seem happiest and harmonious as flow is predictable and almost every piece of hardscape has a lee side.
