Beginner - Need Advice

[ZoddyZod]

I've currently got the filter on the left side of the tank and the thermometer on the right hand side of the tank, Should I be moving it to the same side as the filter so it can push the heated water around more effectively?

it doesn't have to be directly next to the filter, just as long as it is not in a dead spot for water movement - otherwise it wont be as efficient (but will still work)

Also, would it be worth getting one of those stick on thermometers as it's one thing the setting the temperature and another thing to read it? And also where would that be best placed?

the stick-on ones are not very accurate. You can get cheap alcohol ones from eBay, or cheap didgital ones. The watch-out on the digital ones is that you should calibrate them first with a known standard (alcohol or magnesium based one) as they can be innacurate. As for setting the temp on the heater, you are correct to assume that this needs to be checked (hence why we use thermometers). The settings on heaters are notoriously innacurate and you will need to play around to get the right temp in the tank. Mine is set to 27c and that gives 25c water temp.

Should the bubbles be left on constantly? And how long would I leave the light on when I eventually get fish?

I assume you mean from the filter, or do you have an air pump? If from the filter then the additional air will help to aggitate the water surface and increasing oxygenation, although water movement is the most critical part here and you don't actual need the bubbles. If it's an additional air pump/stone then they are mainly used to provide an aesthetic effect, so up to you really.

I'm going to the LSF this evening to collect a testing kit and some water treatment.

these can be quite costly at a LFS (especially test kits). You might want to try eBay for a cheaper option. Also, Seachem Prime is possibly the most cost effecting dechlorinator you can buy (apart from pond ones) and not many LFS stock it. Again you can find it on eBay

 

[Amnesia180]

Thank you for your help.

We have a "Pets at home" near us, and I've been told they offer free water test. So, whilst I'm waiting for the one from eBay to arrive I might take it to them as see what they come back with. That way, I can get a good idea of waht the current levels are (as the gravel, filter, etc are all used and may have some kick-start to life already in them).

The pump is currently plugged into a little model diving man which is producing bubbles. We have a seperate filter, which is almsot on full but doesn't produce bubbles, it just has a powerful stream coming from it.

I've set my temp around the 80F mark (27C) is this a good point to start?

I'm going to research fish shortly too, I'm after a community tank and love neon tetras. A couple of shoals of fish would be nice as well as two single larger ones and a shrimp or something. But research will dictate what I can safely put in there.

 

[fluttermoth]

It sounds like you're doing great so far, can I just suggest that you get some fish food and feed your tank with a pinch or two to keep any bacteria that might still be alive fed, until you get sorted with your ammonia? It would be a shame to lose them all!

 

[ZoddyZod]

Thank you for your help.

We have a "Pets at home" near us, and I've been told they offer free water test. So, whilst I'm waiting for the one from eBay to arrive I might take it to them as see what they come back with. That way, I can get a good idea of waht the current levels are (as the gravel, filter, etc are all used and may have some kick-start to life already in them).

if you aren't actively cycling your tank at present you will only be able to test for pH and tap water nitrate levels. Ammonia and nitrite (the two 'bad guys' that you dont want) are only produced once fish waste is introduced or you start adding ammonia as part of the fish-less cycling method. However checking your pH will give you an indication of suitable fish you can start thinking about.


I've set my temp around the 80F mark (27C) is this a good point to start?

again you'll need to check what temp that actual makes the water with a thermometer, but around that should be fine for the fishless cycling process.

I'm going to research fish shortly too, I'm after a community tank and love neon tetras. A couple of shoals of fish would be nice as well as two single larger ones and a shrimp or something. But research will dictate what I can safely put in there.
and this is where the fun begins! Neons, although very colourful are actually quite fragile - mainly due to intensive farming methods - and are not ideal for a new tank. They should be considered for the future when the tank has had a chance to settle down, possibly in 6 months time. Although colourful they are quite boring to watch so it depends on if you are after interesting or colourful (some fish are both!)

 

[Amnesia180]

It sounds like you're doing great so far, can I just suggest that you get some fish food and feed your tank with a pinch or two to keep any bacteria that might still be alive fed, until you get sorted with your ammonia? It would be a shame to lose them all!

Thank you. Good idea about the pinch of food. I'll do that this evening.

Thank you for your help.

We have a "Pets at home" near us, and I've been told they offer free water test. So, whilst I'm waiting for the one from eBay to arrive I might take it to them as see what they come back with. That way, I can get a good idea of waht the current levels are (as the gravel, filter, etc are all used and may have some kick-start to life already in them).

if you aren't actively cycling your tank at present you will only be able to test for pH and tap water nitrate levels. Ammonia and nitrite (the two 'bad guys' that you dont want) are only produced once fish waste is introduced or you start adding ammonia as part of the fish-less cycling method. However checking your pH will give you an indication of suitable fish you can start thinking about.


I've set my temp around the 80F mark (27C) is this a good point to start?

again you'll need to check what temp that actual makes the water with a thermometer, but around that should be fine for the fishless cycling process.

I'm going to research fish shortly too, I'm after a community tank and love neon tetras. A couple of shoals of fish would be nice as well as two single larger ones and a shrimp or something. But research will dictate what I can safely put in there.
and this is where the fun begins! Neons, although very colourful are actually quite fragile - mainly due to intensive farming methods - and are not ideal for a new tank. They should be considered for the future when the tank has had a chance to settle down, possibly in 6 months time. Although colourful they are quite boring to watch so it depends on if you are after interesting or colourful (some fish are both!)

Okay, that's great.
I'll rethink the fish front then and pick up some ammonia (Would thisbe ok). Once I've added the ammonia, I will be testing to see how quickly the filter reduces the amount of ammonia and nitrate in the system, right?

 

[ZoddyZod]

I'll rethink the fish front - you'll do this A LOT of times before finally buying any....there's so much choice! then and pick up some ammonia (Would thisbe ok)that looks like the stuff. Just check the ingredients on the label to ensure it doesn't have anything else added to it - but should be fine. Once I've added the ammonia, I will be testing to see how quickly the filter reduces the amount of ammonia and nitrate in the system, right? it's ammonia and ntrIte that we look for initially.

Fish waste = ammonia
Bacteria eats ammonia = nitrIte
bacteria eats nitrIte = nitrAte
water changes remove nitrAte

 

[Amnesia180]

Ahhh, I see. Sorry, nitrIte not nitrAte.

So, following the instruction...
Once I've added the correct amount of ammonia, I'll test straight away to see what the reading is. Then monitor the reading daily until it gets to zero. Top ammonia back up to 4ppm and also test for nitrite. Test both ammonia and nitrite until both reach zero. Top ammonia back up to 2 or 3ppm and test for ammonia and nitrite again, this time ensuring they are down to zero within 12 hours?

Or are my time periods off for the nitrite?

 

[XeroTolerance]

When you add your ammonia to the tank wait for 30 minutes so it get dispersed. If you test right away it will give you lousy readings.

 

[Amnesia180]

Thanks, yes I was going to wait a while but thanks for giving me a time frame

Is my reasoning on it (above) correct though? I'm assuming I'm wanting ammonia and nitrite to get to 0 within a 12 hour period?

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yep.

 

[Amnesia180]

Thank you!

And would thisbe a suitable kit?

I suppose I could take some water to our LFS every day which provides free water tests Haha

 

[XeroTolerance]

I wouldn't recommend using the test strips only because they can sometimes give wrong readings. Also many LFS use test strips too. The one I would commend is this. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754034&lmdn=SHOP+FOR

 

[Overload]

I wouldn't recommend using the test strips only because they can sometimes give wrong readings. Also many LFS use test strips too. The one I would commend is this. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754034&lmdn=SHOP+FOR

That is the one I use, its pretty straight forward

 

[XeroTolerance]

I wouldn't recommend using the test strips only because they can sometimes give wrong readings. Also many LFS use test strips too. The one I would commend is this. http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754034&lmdn=SHOP+FOR

That is the one I use, its pretty straight forward

Yeah it has never failed me but the Nitrate portion of it the results will be all across the board if you don't shake the bottle long enough.

 

[Amnesia180]

Another question from me
During my cycle, would it harm to collect the waste from our tiny tank (which has a goldfish and minnow in it) and put it in the larger tank?

Alternatively, I still have gravel from Sunday evening out of the old tank (which was emptied on Sunday evening). Could I put that in say a chinese tub (with no lid) and leave it in there to see if that helps speed the process up?! Then I can take the container along with gravel out when we’re ready for fish.