water chemistry/ tank mate fish

Question
Hi,
I'm what you call "A Rookie" in fish care.  I have a 75 gal tank.  Set up Aug 10th 2006.  I have 2 tinfoil about 5 inches long and 1 oscar about 4 inches long.  Water chemistry has been a challenge for me.  I've tested the water and everything seems to be ok according to the color coded guide that came with the kit.  However, sometimes it seems like my fish is sucking for air, gill movement are always on the go.  I've change about 10 gallons about every 2 to 3 days and I can see it help them.  But what can i do to maintain water chemistry?  Also, i want to get a couple more fish that will grow as big as my tinfoil and oscars.  What other fish can i have in the tank and how many fish can a 75 gal hold.

thank you,

Joe

Answer
Hi Joe;

Welcome to the wonderful hobby of fish keeping!

Your fish are experiencing the effects of "New Tank Syndrome". Waste toxins are biuildingup and keeping them from absorbing oxygen. The water changes indeed help so keep doing them. It takes a total of 6 to 8 weeks to get through this period so be patient with it. The main thing is that you do not want to add more fish until it's over. The beneficial bacteria colonies that consume toxins are not mature enough yet. More fish equals higher levels of toxins and the fish may not tolerate it at all.

Here is a link to my article on new tanks;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

For other fish that can go with your guys, I would recommend a plecostamus for algae, but wait until you actually see algae to add one. Other possibilities are Silver Dollars, Jack Dempsey, Firemouth, Pimelodus Cats, and other large cichlids. I wouldn't add more than one or two other fish to the mix however. Once these guys grow to their adult size there won't be much room for more. Avoid fish such as; Pacu (they get 2 feet long), piranha (obviously), arowana (2 feet long), and any other fish that get more than 10 or 12 inches. Do your research to see how big a suggested fish gets. Here is a great web site that has profiles of many fish to learn more about each one;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/default.aspx?pnl=fresh

You could also ask Ron Coleman about it. He's a cichlid expert and may have even better ideas. Here's his profile page;

http://www.allexperts.com/expert.cgi?m=1&catID=1472&expID=21527

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins