Air Pump

So turns out my fish may not have gill disease...Instead, they may be suffering from lack of oxygen or ammonia/nitrite burns. I checked my water parameters and they are all at "0" so that just leaves lack of oxygen as the cause for their rapid breathing at the water surface and red/inflamed gills? I may have also created an ammonia/nitrite spike when I added 8 fish within 2 days due to over excitement. Oh what a newbie mistake!

I have since aquired an Elite air pump to increase aeration in my 29 gallon tank. All I did was connect it to a long airline tube with shut off valve and stick the other end in the tank. It's creating monstrous bubbles and I think that's giving my fish some relief. They aren't gasping anymore so I take it that's a good sign. ;) Air pumps displace air, shifting stagnant air laden with CO2 towards the surface, where gas exchange occurs and the CO2 leaves the tank and Oxygen enters.

I am rehoming my 2 Mickey Mouse Platy today (finally). They have been tortured by my guppies for months. The male guppies take it upon themselves to chase the platy around to near exhaustion. I feel so sorry for them! Especially the female, who was receiving way too much unwanted attention.

Now my tank feels so empty without those overexcited orange fish! I may setup a 40 gallon fish tank today...

Top 20 Essential Aquarium Equipment

Checklist for Top 20 Essential Aquarium Equipment: (+ How much you should expect to pay if you buy a new one)

1. Filter! (canister, Air-powered, internal, HOB (hang on back), sponge, power-filter etc.) ($15-$300 depending on brand, size, features, store)
2. Heater ($25-$40)
3. Thermometer ($2)
4. Appropriate Aquarium Stand ($0- $300 depending on quality, material, store)
5. Water Declorinator ($12 for a 400mL bottle)
6. Food (flakes ($5), pellets ($3), bloodworms ($8), brine shrimp ($8), daphnia ($8), white worms, black worms, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini etc.)
7. Gravel Vacuum ($10)
8. Large Bucket ($5)
9. Substrate/Gravel ($1.50/ pound. You need 1.5 pounds/gallon)
10. Plants (live or silk) ($5-$20)
11. Plant fertilizer ($10)
12. Fish net ($3)
13. Medicine (Melafix+ Pimafix = Prevention Kit) ($10-$15)
14. Decorations: hiding places i.e. caves ($15-$50+)
15. API or Nutrafin Master Test Kit ($40)
16. Multiplugs/ Electrical outlets ($10)
17. Tank background ($2/ft)
18. Canopy + Fluorescent Lights ($50-$100)
19. Algae scrubber / magnet ($3-$10)
20. Cloth/Paper Towels for the endless messes. ($10 trust me you need a lot of tissue)



Optional Equipment

- PH buffers ($10)
- Waste reducers ($10)
- Calcium, Phosphate, Copper etc. Tests ($15 ea)
- An extra filter
- Air pump ($10-$20)
- Air stones, valves, tubing... ($15)
- Aquarium Silicone sealant (extra sealing of glass tank edges, DIY decorations...) ($10)
- Ammonia chips (removes ammonia)
- Filter tube cleaning brushes ($8)
-CO2 / Oxygen for plants ($$$$)
- Automatic fish feeders ($20)
- Aquarium books ($20)
- Veggie clips ($3)
- Breeder net/cage ($6)
- Tank divider ($10)
- Plant trimmers
- Cotton string
- Strainer