Have I Understood Right ?

[Hammerboy]

I've read around various sources of info and now think that i have a reasonable enough understanding so as not to rush out , buy a load of fish and watch them die within no time at all.

So far i'm comfortable with the concepts of :

not over-stocking ( 1inch per gallon )
frequent water changes ( 20% every 1 or 2 weeks )
filtration ( I have a FLUVAL 2 )
not upsetting the chemical balance ( pH, temperature, de-chlorination )
nitrogen cycle ( ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, friendly bacteria etc )
test equipment is needed

Questions which hopefully somebody can clarify please :

1) Can somebody please advise of suitable test equipment for me to buy ( Ammonia, Nitrate, pH ?? )

2) Filters - my understanding is that friendly bacteria will colonate in the filter. If this is the case, won't the chemical balance of the tank be jeopardised by changing the filter at manufacturer's recommended intervals of once a month ? Or does washing the new filter in syphoned tank water immediately re-colonise the filter ?

Any other tips much appreciated.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

1 - depends where you are what test kits are available. I recommend the API Freshwater master test kit if you can get hold of it. retails in the UK at about £18 and has everything you need for a basic set up.

2 - ignore that helpful bit of manufacturers advise, they just want your money! yes replacing the media every month would mean you start cycling your tank again. All I do with filter media is when the flow rate drops on a filter, rinse out the sponges etc in tank water, that just removes the gunk that's blocking it but keeps your bacteria alive. Then replace the media only when it's literally dying a death and falling apart. I'll replace sponges once every 2 years aprox. and then only replace half at a time, makign sure you leave some old media in the filter along with the new for at least 2/3 weeks before changing the other bit. Your tank may do a mini cycle when you do this so don't add any new fish at the time, test your water at least every other day and do water changes if nescessary

 

[BigIan]

1) Can somebody please advise of suitable test equipment for me to buy ( Ammonia, Nitrate, pH ?? )

I use the API test kits, but what ever get your self a liquid test kit as the strips ect are generaly not very accurate

2) Filters - my understanding is that friendly bacteria will colonate in the filter. If this is the case, won't the chemical balance of the tank be jeopardised by changing the filter at manufacturer's recommended intervals of once a month ? Or does washing the new filter in syphoned tank water immediately re-colonise the filter ?

you don`t need to replace the filter media that often i know people who have never replaced the mnedia on tanks that have been running for 5 years or so.
you only need to wash the media in tank water when the flow from the filter begins to drop and slow down

 

[Hammerboy]

Thanks for the advice.