First time having a community tank/tropical fish, and have already learnt so much in a week, especially from mistakes/bad advice.
Stupidly bought 4 Dwarf Gouramis 2 days after getting a tank following the guys advice at the aquarium shop. Told me it would be fine to put fish in there after he tested my water, yet he only tested PH, even after reiterating that its only been cycling for 48hrs. Unfortunately 1 of the Neon Dwarf Gouramis (or maybe Flame Dwarf? Shops around me have contradicting labels) died after 2 days, but the rest seem to be doing great so far.
I started off with 20kg of substrate and then topped it with 10kg of some smoother gravel. Had 4 plants for the first 2 days and then bought 6 more along with the Gouramis. I started the cycling process by using double the recommended dosages as advised on the API Stress Coat and Stress Zyme bottles, and then continued to add 5ml of Zyme each day. After only 5 days, and the following 2 days, the tank gave back readings of 7.6PH and 0ppm for Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate. Yeeew, time for more fish!!!
So now a week after having the tank I went and purchased a few more companions, a Kuhli Loach, a Yoyo Loach and a tiny lil Bolivian Ram. I think the Yoyo has gotta be my new favourite, hes so active just darting around munching on everything, yet to see the Kuhli after adding him in though, dissapeared instantly.
Planning to add either a yellow or albino Bristlenose Pleco next week after the new guys settle in. Hopefully no one has snapped them up yet!
Maybe some floating plants too so they can filter out a bit of the light, any suggestions for these are greatly appreciated!
Stupidly bought 4 Dwarf Gouramis 2 days after getting a tank following the guys advice at the aquarium shop. Told me it would be fine to put fish in there after he tested my water, yet he only tested PH, even after reiterating that its only been cycling for 48hrs. Unfortunately 1 of the Neon Dwarf Gouramis (or maybe Flame Dwarf? Shops around me have contradicting labels) died after 2 days, but the rest seem to be doing great so far.
I started off with 20kg of substrate and then topped it with 10kg of some smoother gravel. Had 4 plants for the first 2 days and then bought 6 more along with the Gouramis. I started the cycling process by using double the recommended dosages as advised on the API Stress Coat and Stress Zyme bottles, and then continued to add 5ml of Zyme each day. After only 5 days, and the following 2 days, the tank gave back readings of 7.6PH and 0ppm for Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate. Yeeew, time for more fish!!!
So now a week after having the tank I went and purchased a few more companions, a Kuhli Loach, a Yoyo Loach and a tiny lil Bolivian Ram. I think the Yoyo has gotta be my new favourite, hes so active just darting around munching on everything, yet to see the Kuhli after adding him in though, dissapeared instantly.
Planning to add either a yellow or albino Bristlenose Pleco next week after the new guys settle in. Hopefully no one has snapped them up yet!
Maybe some floating plants too so they can filter out a bit of the light, any suggestions for these are greatly appreciated!
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