Beginner Questions.

[Oscar54]

i have a 20g with a half dozen fish in it, but used to have a dozen or so.. im not sure how half just died off. ive had it for a couple years now but would love to have a big set up with oscars in the future, but probably have a long way to go.. anyways, i have a couple Qs i would love answered. id look around on the internet but being a tarantula hobbyist, i know theres a ton of poor info out there. im not sure if its the same thing with fish.
do lights on a tank do anything? are they needed?
how often should partial water changes be done? and how often should a full change be done?
what are the first steps when setting up a tank?
what kind of basic maintenance needs to be done on fish tanks?
thanks.

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi there, welcome to the forum

do lights on a tank do anything? are they needed?

Depends if you have live plants or not. If you do, you need the lights on for between six and eight hours. If you have only fish, then the lights are just for you to be able to see them; fish can manage just fine with the ambient light from the room.

how often should partial water changes be done? and how often should a full change be done?

Weekly. The amount depends on how heavily stocked your tank is, but around 50% is a good average. Watching the level of nitrate is also a good guide. If that's getting to more than 20ppm above what's in your tap water, then you need to do larger, or more frequent ones. If, by 'full change', you mean completely stripping the tank down and cleaning everything, then never; a properly maintained tank shouldn't ever need it. You'd only do that if you wanted to make some major changes, like changing the substrate, or setting it up for a different kind of fish.

what are the first steps when setting up a tank?

A full, fishless cycle. Testing the pH and hardness of your water, so you can stock with appropriate fish.

what kind of basic maintenance needs to be done on fish tanks?

Weekly partial water changes, pruning or trimming back live plants, cleaning the filter (only in some old tank water, never under the tap, or you'll kill off your beneficial bacteria).

thanks.

You're very welcome

 

[Oscar54]

Hi there, welcome to the forum


Depends if you have live plants or not. If you do, you need the lights on for between six and eight hours. If you have only fish, then the lights are just for you to be able to see them; fish can manage just fine with the ambient light from the room.


Weekly. The amount depends on how heavily stocked your tank is, but around 50% is a good average. Watching the level of nitrate is also a good guide. If that's getting to more than 20ppm above what's in your tap water, then you need to do larger, or more frequent ones. If, by 'full change', you mean completely stripping the tank down and cleaning everything, then never; a properly maintained tank shouldn't ever need it. You'd only do that if you wanted to make some major changes, like changing the substrate, or setting it up for a different kind of fish.


A full, fishless cycle. Testing the pH and hardness of your water, so you can stock with appropriate fish.


Weekly partial water changes, pruning or trimming back live plants, cleaning the filter (only in some old tank water, never under the tap, or you'll kill off your beneficial bacteria).


You're very welcome

thanks a ton.