Bit Of A Newbie Question

[soybean]

Still can't convince you to rehome the fish and buy some ammonia then?!

I don't mind you PMimg me at all, though of course if you post it you get everyone's opinions.

What a lot of people do is start a whole new thread in the 'new fishtank' subforum, just above the tropical discussion one, and call it "[name's] fish-in cycle journal" or something, and update that, so that all the readings and info is in one place for anyone wanting to read it and help.

 

[andyg81]

ill set up a thread later tonight then

if i can help it i dont want to re-home the fish, theres no where for them to go even temporary apart from back to the shop then ive lost the money i paid for them anyway so i may as well try to get it sorted with them in, cause if i lose some fish id have lost them anyway if that makes sense.

 

[soybean]

Fair enough, though you may be able to arrange credit with the shop so you can replace them without much of a loss.

 

[andyg81]

will see what happens with the daily water changes over the weekend and if i lose any more etc.

one other option for me is to get the little tank balanced again as thats still switched on and upto temperature, just a very high ammonia level. I could take some of the filter media out of there and put it into the big tank filter (somehow as will need cutting up to size etc) this may help from what ive read.

or get the little tank water quality sorted and put some of the fish back in there for the time being.

it would help if i was at home now because i could be sorting the water out in both tanks but im at work so i just dont know whats happening when im not there !! could walk in the door tonight to a load of dead fish, who knows

 

[soybean]

Using media from the little tank would help, except it's not cycled if you're getting high ammonia readings, so I don't think it would very much.

Whereabouts are you located? Try posting on the Wanted section of the classifieds to see if someone nearby can donate you a bit of their sponge.

 

[andyg81]

ilkeston, derbyshire.

ive just posted on my facebook page asking if anyone has any lol

 

[soybean]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/forum/118-wanted/

 

[littlenemo]

hey peeps just reading all the post with you soybean. andy if you take you fish back to the shop they will hold them or should give you credit. does my head in doing a 25% water change every week lol so i made a auto water changer from the mains lol 2 big tanks weekly timer empty tank then water that has been held at temp and dosed with tap safe fills up tank.
i would ask some one for mature media. get it done quicker. you will get bored changing water lol.

 

[andyg81]

whatever i need to do, i'll do. but just read something else thats taken me by surprise - 5 x guppys that we have, I didnt realise they were livebearers lol YES you guessed it, didnt do my re-search did I lol - feel like banging my head on a wall. knowing my look there will be 4 females and 1 male and we'll end up with a tank full of fry

looks like i may have some media from a friend, just waiting to confirm if he can let me have it or not.

 

[andyg81]

one final question people - thanks for all the above by the way

when doing big water changes whats the best way to bring water upto temperature ? just crossed my mind that doing large changes with purely cold water is not good !

 

[Akasha72]

one final question people - thanks for all the above by the way

when doing big water changes whats the best way to bring water upto temperature ? just crossed my mind that doing large changes with purely cold water is not good !

You can use hot/boiling water from the kettle or hot water from the tap - so long as it doesn't come from a storage tank as it may then contain something that will damage the fish further. If in doubt boil the kettle

 

[andyg81]

thank you

 

[andyg81]

Well I'm shocked got home tank water nearly clear nitrate 0 ammonia 0
Ph7.6
Kh 150
Gh 250

 

[magpie]

Live plants will most definitely help stabilize a new tank. Go get some easy quick-growing plants to start - you can always pull them out later and replace with others if they'r not what you want long-term. Even just starting with floating plants can help you, as they tend to grow fairly quickly. Of course then we need to start talking about lighting a bit, too.

For water changes, I use one of those siphon tubes that hook directly to my sink. I use a separate thermometer and get the temperature of the water coming out of the sink just a degree or so cooler than my normal temperature. Then I fill the tank. I put the full amount of water conditioner (I use Prime) before I add any new water.
I don't use this specific brand, but this is the idea of what I'm talking about. It's a huge time-saver and I can't imagine doing water changes without it anymore.
http/www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Aquarium-Water-Changer-Feet/dp/B000YAJKL6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[andyg81]

got up this morning and the tank is at 0 nitrates but 1 / 1.5 ammonia, going to do a 50% water change when I get home (approx 100 litres)