New Tank

[eklikewhoa]

For a 14g?

An airstone coupled with the sponge filter. Hagen I believe makes one that isn't too obtrusive.

Maxi-jet1200 would make that 14g into 2x what the far east went through.

[LooksLater]

Yeah, you were asking when should you add an air pump, I was saying they can be used for a sponge filter- always a good secondary, or if you're wanting aeration, to look into power heads. Not saying you should add both. Just trying to give you some options, if that's what you are wanting.

[Chris.d514]

Ok well there's my showing how little I know I thought they went together.

[mnemenoi]

We use all sorts of different set ups, canisters, sponges, HOB's, and Powerheads with sponge attachments. When you come over Saturday, I can show you a lot of different stuff and give you some background on each and why they are chosen and used for different setups. It'll make far more sense in person, especially the physics and use of each different type. There are still far weirder types even I have a bit of confusion wrapping my head around until I see it and get it explained to me.

[eklikewhoa]

Ok well there's my showing how little I know I thought they went together.

They in fact could go together and quite efficiently too. but for your 14g that would be.... can't believe I'm saying this.... it will be overkill.

[Bedlamer]

They in fact could go together and quite efficiently too. but for your 14g that would be.... can't believe I'm saying this.... it will be overkill.

GASP!

[Chris.d514]

So idk what's going on with my zebras but my big female has put on weight and her belly turned pink and her and the big male are chasing everything from one corner of the tank but there is nothing there.

[R_sustaita]

she may be pregnant.

[mnemenoi]

It could be some sort of breeding behavior. Zebra Danios are egglayers, more specifically egg scatterers. They will often spray eggs in a certain area of the tank and the males will fertilize them. If I am correct they have a propensity for eating them, so the first attempt might be chocked up to a good dry run as they'll likely be enjoyed by all your tank inhabitants as a fresh bite of caviar. I'd simply watch and wait, if that is the end result of these behaviors then perhaps in the future you can consider a smaller breeding focused tank (usually with glass marbles to hide the eggs from the parents as they fall through) and attempt to raise the fry. They can be difficult, but its a rewarding endeavor. Let us know what you can observe and what the end results are.

[eklikewhoa]

Pink undertone or pink on the surface?

either swollen with egg or bacterial infection swelling the belly

[Chris.d514]

Looks like the surface to me.

[Totenkampf]

these look pretty affordable and Carl (the owner of the site and companion aquarium maintenace service) swears by their quality at that price:

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/SpongeFilter.html

[Chris.d514]

I actually just finished reading his thing on filtration and after talking to ek here I think i should be ok I was just kinda worried with it being overstocked til i get my daughter a new tank here in the next few days. I just started running her filter in my tank as well to start build bacteria in it and turned my filter down as low as it will go. I'm just trying not to mess up too bad since I'm still learning all of this and everyone on here has been a big help with that.

[LooksLater]

Good call, Chris! You're learning, and like I said-we all were there at some point.

[Chris.d514]

Would taking 5 gallons of water from my tank and adding it to her's also help at start up?