Chemicals for 55 Gallon?

[FishGyrlFriend]

Im new to this larger aquarium business...anyway I wanted to know if you kind people could list what chemicals I need for the fishless cycling of my tank? What chemicals are needed for a tank this size? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[tstenback]

You will need ammonia, and dechlorinator to fishless cycle your tank or any tank for that matter. You will also need test kits for at least ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH. Once established it doesnt hurt to have meds on hand for fungus, parasites, ICH and perhaps some melafix for general healing. This is a basic list and you may add several other things to it but you will require these as a minimum. HTH

 

[JamesTasker]

IMO a pH kit is rarely necessary because most common aquarium fish will do fine in tap water, regardless of pH, so unless keeping sensitive fish, i think a pH kit is a bit of a waste of money.

 

[canarsie11]

IMO a pH kit is rarely necessary because most common aquarium fish will do fine in tap water, regardless of pH, so unless keeping sensitive fish, i think a pH kit is a bit of a waste of money.

I kinda agree with statement, but it is still good to know what ALL your water parameters are. Also, if you buy all in one test kit, it is included anyway

 

[tstenback]

IMO a pH kit is rarely necessary because most common aquarium fish will do fine in tap water, regardless of pH, so unless keeping sensitive fish, i think a pH kit is a bit of a waste of money.

I agree that it is not always used but it is important to establish a baseline of measurements for your tank and monitor them from time to time. If something is added to the tank that changes the PH quickly and fish start reacting it is important to have the PH data available to compare. Otherwise you may just say that the PH is normal therefore cant be the problem.
I also find in areas where the water company is always messing with the parameters it is good to check before doing water changes.
It will most likely be one of the least used tests once the tank is up and running but it may be a lifesaver if things go wrong with the tank.

 

[corrosive]

You will need ammonia, and dechlorinator.

You will also need test kits for at least ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH.

On average how much does all this cost?

In England.

Thanks alot, and the reason im asking is because i will be starting a cycle in the next day or so, and i will be having most likely "Oto's" and a few other fish in my tank, and i heard they are real delicate fish so i wouldnt want to stress them and hert them any more than they already are.

Thanks.


Edit: lol i used alot of "and" in that little paragraph ).

 

[clutterydrawer]

On average how much does all this cost?

In England.

Thanks alot, and the reason im asking is because i will be starting a cycle in the next day or so, and i will be having most likely "Oto's" and a few other fish in my tank, and i heard they are real delicate fish so i wouldnt want to stress them and hert them any more than they already are.

Thanks.


Edit: lol i used alot of "and" in that little paragraph ).

I'm not sure about ammonia but, assuming you can find some, shouldn't be more than £2 or so. (This is just a rough guess!). Last time I bought dechlorinator it was similar.....might have been £2.99 or something?

Test kits vary in price but the two I have in front of me are made by Tetra and cost £7.99 (ammonia) and £6.65 (nitrite). Yes these kits are expensive, especialy when you buy several at once, but they last quite a while. Also, you can reduce cost by getting a "master test kit" with everything in, whihc works out as cheaper.

pH kit can be useful to check that your tapwater isn't a totally risiculous pH. It rarely is...but you never know.

 

[corrosive]

On average how much does all this cost?

In England.

Thanks alot, and the reason im asking is because i will be starting a cycle in the next day or so, and i will be having most likely "Oto's" and a few other fish in my tank, and i heard they are real delicate fish so i wouldnt want to stress them and hert them any more than they already are.

Thanks.


Edit: lol i used alot of "and" in that little paragraph ).

I'm not sure about ammonia but, assuming you can find some, shouldn't be more than £2 or so. (This is just a rough guess!). Last time I bought dechlorinator it was similar.....might have been £2.99 or something?

Test kits vary in price but the two I have in front of me are made by Tetra and cost £7.99 (ammonia) and £6.65 (nitrite). Yes these kits are expensive, especialy when you buy several at once, but they last quite a while. Also, you can reduce cost by getting a "master test kit" with everything in, whihc works out as cheaper.

pH kit can be useful to check that your tapwater isn't a totally risiculous pH. It rarely is...but you never know.

Looks like its cheaper for me to just take a jar of tank water to my lfs each week then. As they said they will test the water for free.

 

[ajhainey]

You'll need to test water daily during cycling. The full test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph) from Aqua Pharamceticals is £15 from PetsAtHome. Ammonia/Nitrate individual are £2.95 on eBay.

I also wouldn't recommedn Otos..because they eat algae (and a new tank doesn't have any) and they are very delicate! What else do you plan to have in the tank in the end...isn't there anything else you could pick? Or fishless cycle.

aj xx

 

[clutterydrawer]

she said in her first post that she is fishless cycling...?

 

[ajhainey]

I know - but then the post further down seems to imply that they plan to add fish in a few days and "begin the cycle".....maybe just the way I read the post??

aj xx