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That is so gorgeous that you inspired me to search online for similar sized jars, but then I remembered I don't have a desk :(

First, Welcome to the forum! Regarding setting up the tank before adding fish, there is a whole description of how to achieve this on the website, here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/ As for the fish, I will leave that to others...

Note that even very small amounts can KILL DOGS. (Noting your avatar)

I had a question about a rock before and was recommended to test it out in a separate tank before trying it with fish so that I would know what it changes, if anything. Perhaps you should try that over a few weeks, ideally testing each type of rock separate from the others. PS nice rocks!

Could I have some sort of shrimp with a KH and GH around 2 or 3?

I think it has to do with the loss of minerals that happens when water is distilled. Fish need all sorts of minerals in various amounts e.g. calcium, but none pass over with the water during distillation.

I'm just starting although I remember clearly winning a goldfish at a fair and buying it a bowl. It died when my Mum warmed it up with water straight from the kettle! Prior to that I had caught sticklebacks from the stream, had pet snails and a pet newt, and hatched out tadpoles one year. I...

I can vouch for it having holidayed in Italy a few years back at 40°C day and night for 2 weeks with no a/c, by the end I was quite comfortable with it. Despite being from the UK!

Hello 👋 . I hope you like it here. It's very friendly and informative, although with that much experience you will probably be giving more than needing!

Well I'd mate in that (or is that tmi?)

Have a look at https://www.thesprucepets.com/cyanobacteria-blue-green-algae-1378628 for more advice and information.

I've had a hiatus while cycling the tank and during this time bought more plants and decor. The water has been quite tannin stained, which I rather like, but it has interfered with some of the results from testing kits I've tried. I had to do a large water change of 75 - 80% to try to kick start...

That's the million dollar question! It is so unpredictable.

I like your analogy. It makes a lot of sense!

Since most members seem to have big tanks, smaller filters might not be in most people's experience. Could your LFS advise?

My first taker! I should have stipulated fishless. I'll see if I can alter it. I'm going to get a better idea of the States' geography at this rate!

I gather it has been discussed before and noted that tanks seem to take longer to cycle in the UK than elsewhere. Just as a rather unscientific straw poll, I'm asking this question to be based on FISHLESS cycling you have done where you are currently living. You can answer for each tank you have...

Technically, salt in the air might possibly have an effect, maybe? I don't know but much of other countries is comparatively landlocked.

Could do a poll of sorts?

Proximity of the sea.? It would be interesting to see how US and others cycle times varied with it.

Now I can see the resemblance!

Could they be related to your plants some way? Seeds?

Hi Essjay I've done a month so only a fraction of yours! I think my impatience is really because the fish I want aren't commonly sold but happen to be available locally at present (between 2 shops). I'm worried I'll miss the boat. Thanks for the advice. I had already added 15ml bicarb as I...

I'm getting disheartened cycling my tank. My nitrites have persisted, gone down, gone up again etc. although my ammonia is clearly being eaten now. In desperation, to hopefully kick start things again, I have done a 75 - 80% water change, left things cycling for an hour, and then retested all...

Luckily my tank is fairly heavily planted, including with Salvinia natans. It's good they do more than just look pretty, provide oxygen, give hiding places for fish etc.! They really are fantastic things. :)

Aaah. That was what I thought and why a tap water level of 4 to 16 bothered me.

Well I've got all that in place and am almost fully cycled now after 33 days. I'm still going to check phosphates as I know the water company adds phosphorus and I am overrun with algae and diatoms. I know some, or all, should clear though once I've done my huge water change before adding fish...

Just seen on your other thread what you're planning to get. Must be a fair sized tank. Mine's only 80l.

Yay! :lol:You're going to beat me at this rate! I'm praying I get to cycled this weekend some time, but I'm not holding my breath. What fish are you thinking of getting?

@Barry Tetra seems to have done everything! See his reply on page 2 :)

I have an 80l with similar parameters although my water is a little softer. I'm putting in 2 honey gourami and 3 peacock gudgeon gobies rather than little shoaling fish.

Looks like a bladder snail. I had one hitchhike in on a plant and my daughter now has it a pot as her pet. As Dephea said, they can breed like rabbits. Personally, I'd remove it now rather than wait 'til it's too late.

That reminds me; one thing I've noticed is that the staining of the water can make it hard to read tests - notably the Salifert ammonia test - but probably anything else where 0.0 is white/clear.

I just can't see the appeal....

Same here. I'm not sure why Avel1896 was advocating a water change :/

I have a blackwater tank by accident rather than design, but I do rather like the effect. Mine happened because of the addition of unsoaked woods. It hasn't got too dark because there is carbon in my filter which gradually removes it, so best to avoid carbon if you want it really dark. Almond...

I thought when doing a fishless cycle you followed the instructions: add test dose of ammonia when results get sufficiently low, otherwise you are depriving the nitrifying bacteria of the 'food' they need to multiply.

What was your ammonia? Mine was 2.5 today but nitrites still too high for the next dose, just like you. First I mistakenly sampled for ammonia with the syringe I use to add ammonia to the tank. I clearly hadn't washed it out well enough as the ammonia level came back as 8+ ! I thought Jadzir...

I have Salvinia natans. The roots are short and it seems to grow plenty, but not to excess. It provides shade but not heavily as the leaves are small and the short roots mean it isn't too dense.