eckies Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Hey ppls... Just quick question... Iam wondering what would be the best food for my americans... i have been feeding the Hikari gold large pellets and bloodworms now and again... the colour arnt bad but growth rate isnt great. i have looked it up and found info but just looking for a steer in the right direction and who better to ask than the experts themselves?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcloughlin2 Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Your slow growth rates would have more to do with your inadequete filtration and poor water conditions then the food. I know that may sound harsh but that is how it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eckies Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 ahhhh ok even tho the ph is at 6.9 and nitrates good......? yeah i got the tank today for the sump and still have a spare pump. will get the bio balls and hook up that bad boy. also got another 2000l/ph filter in there for next couple of days. this tank is in my bedroom!! sounds like an outboard running! haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Eckies other than Jag , Dempsey and Oscar what else do you have in tank ? increase the protein for these guys by including shrimp and make a marinara mix DO LOTS of water changes personally I would like the water on the alkaline side of neutral with these what mclouglin2 says water and food Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eckies Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 the tank also houses, 1xYellow eel tail and1x Feather fin cat fish 1x XXL silver doller( haha dnt ask) 1x Convict 1x XL Sailfin Pleco is it safe to feed tropicals salt water food?? (marinara) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maskedman Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Link2Hell - Why alkaline? I've got Rivulatus, Sajica, Severum, Nicaragua, Keyholes, Salvini & a few other spieces all in at PH 6.8 & thay grow fantastic with magnificent colors. Is there an advantage with americans and higher PH that I'm missing out on? I would be interested to hear your theories on this. I use HBH flake frenzy & Supersoft as a mainstay. I supplement with HBH 8veg flake & nutrafin Earthworm or mysis shrimp flakes. A twice weekly feed of live shrimp & feeder fish does the colors the world of good. Spectrum has a good range of foods that I use on some of my other tanks as well. Thier growth formula is quite good & I'm yet to see any fish reject it unless sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eckies Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 Link2Hell - Why alkaline? I've got Rivulatus, Sajica, Severum, Nicaragua, Keyholes, Salvini & a few other spieces all in at PH 6.8 & thay grow fantastic with magnificent colors. Is there an advantage with americans and higher PH that I'm missing out on? I would be interested to hear your theories on this. I use HBH flake frenzy & Supersoft as a mainstay. I supplement with HBH 8veg flake & nutrafin Earthworm or mysis shrimp flakes. A twice weekly feed of live shrimp & feeder fish does the colors the world of good. Spectrum has a good range of foods that I use on some of my other tanks as well. Thier growth formula is quite good & I'm yet to see any fish reject it unless sick. GREAT INFO MATE... great to hear from other american lovers. How big is your tank to house all those like are they all aggressive (apart from keyhole of cause)..?? thats a great inventory list of fish, just what i want!! GRRRrrr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 maskedman just my preference as Sydney tap is about 7.2 pH and water is more carbonate stable on the upper side than when it drops to the acid side of neutral Also less chemicals need to be use with water changes These species will accept wide ranging water parameters being aquarium bred lines they are more adaptable Depending on species the riverine sth Americans prefering lower pH values and this is then ranged by if they are blackwater species such as most Appistos that like even lower pH levels With the central Americans liking the upper side as they come from volcanic lakes and riverine biotopes that are higher pH but not neccessarily high carbonate hardness like the African rift lakes For the Oscar I totally agree that 6.8 is a prefered reading as they will suffer chronic HIH from bad water conditions that can be related to alkaline pH and filtration quality It all comes down to if the fish are happy then it's all good and 0.2 points of neutral either way is a happy medium Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maskedman Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Thanks for the reply Chris. Most tap water over our way isn't too flash for americans. My tap water is PH 8.2, GH 12 & KH 5. Yes most americans are very adaptable, even to those conditions. The aquariums just use dechlorinated tap water for everything but thier delicates & I used to have my Rivulatus in the same tank as my Tanganyikas & he was fine with it. Good colors & all. Eckies - Those fish aren't all in the same tank. The Sev (solo) shares a 4x1.5x1.5ft with the Sajicas (pair), Pictus & Bristlenose.. The Rivulatus (solo), Oscars(pair) & Nicaragua (solo), share a 6x2x2ft with a Featherfin & Goldspot Plec. The Keyholes (pair), are in a 3ft general community. I also have tanks containing Lifalili, Festivum, Blue Acara & Firemouths. There are also tanks set up for africans, corys & khuli loaches, golfish & general communities. I have twelve tanks, (not including breeding & quarantine) ranging from 3x1.5x1.5ft to 6x2x2ft. I have 3 of the 6x2x2 set up as main displays & 2 - 4x2x2ft set up as display planted communities. That's inside. The garage is another story & a work in progress. Lots of time, patience & more $$$ than I could/can really afford. I think I've got a bug!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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