Hello!:d

[Jessicalovescupcake]

hi, as I already posted before, I'm Ali, I already have a betta who's sadly not doing to well...anyways, I have a 10 gal...any thoughts on what to put in it (no bettas!) Mollies? Also, whats the best filter for a 10 gal.? Thanks!

 

[steve01]

Hi All, I am new to the forum so I thought I would introduce myself, ( I did post on a subject yesterday though) my name is Steve and I am a complete beginner just taking up the hobby, I have a 44 Gal tank with a Fluval 205 filter, I am cycling my tank with fish I have only started with five ( 3 Molly's and two Platty's) that's what I was told to start off with by my local shop, I am already worried as I see from some thread's on the forum that the molly,s need salt I want a community tank so have you got any advice as what to do I have no intention of adding any more fish for a few week's as I want to wait until my filter has started workink, my levels are fine at the moment but the fish have only been in for two day's, should I be doing partial water changes yet or will I be doing more harm than good, I hope you will all bear with me and answer what must seem like silly questions to you all but I want to learn and get it right.

Thanks in advance.

Steve.

 

[minxfishy]

Hello and welcome to you both.

Can I suggest you have a good read through of all the pinned topics in this section: http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...ease-Read-Here/

These will help you with cycling your tanks and have lots of useful information for those just starting out in the hobby.

Any help or questions you may have after reading all those, everyone will be happy to help you answer.

 

[Jessicalovescupcake]

I still have a ?...what the heck...consider me an absolute beginner... I have NO idea what your fish terms are lol. Ok, so, I've got a dirty 10 gal. But, I have heard bleach will kill any fish you put in there, no matter how many times you rinse it...is this true? I heard soap is toxic too...is this true? Now, lets say I've cleaned it out and it's all nice looking. What filter do I buy? Ok, now i've got a good filter.....now what? Do I put water in and buy a water tester kit? How long do I filter the water before testing? What is water testing? I know about the ph level but what is it and whats the normal measurement?? It'll be a 10 gal...so whats the normal whatever for the water testing? What should I put in the tank other than water while filtering?? Gravel?? How long do I filter it for?? Then, WHAT FISH DO I PUT IN IT?! I want them to have good room, so like, 3 female mollies and 1 male? When I take them home, how long should I leave their transport bag floating in my tank? When should I put them in the tank? How do I do water changes? I've heard something about partical water changes...what is this? Help!

 

[gaz gun man]

you're getting way too far ahead of yourself, you wont be adding fish for about a month yet if you do things right.


read the pinned topics on this board, especially the 'whats cycling.' thread


as far as filters are concerned, a fluval 2+ would be more than enough filtration for your tank.


you should rinse the gravel in clean water, put it in you tank, and any plants or decor you want in there, add the filter and heater, fill with water and switch on.

It will be cloudy for a few days at most while dust settles, thenyou can crack on with cycling

 

[SJ2K]

As said, either of these filters would be good.

Fluval 2
Eheim Aquaball << My Favourite
Aquael 360

Get your gear (Filter, heater), get your decor (gravel/sand/plants/ornaments). Get it in all and running, then you can start thinking about the cycle

 

[ollyhtafc]

I still have a ?...what the heck...consider me an absolute beginner... I have NO idea what your fish terms are lol. Ok, so, I've got a dirty 10 gal. But, I have heard bleach will kill any fish you put in there, no matter how many times you rinse it...is this true? I heard soap is toxic too...is this true? Now, lets say I've cleaned it out and it's all nice looking. What filter do I buy? Ok, now i've got a good filter.....now what? Do I put water in and buy a water tester kit? How long do I filter the water before testing? What is water testing? I know about the ph level but what is it and whats the normal measurement?? It'll be a 10 gal...so whats the normal whatever for the water testing? What should I put in the tank other than water while filtering?? Gravel?? How long do I filter it for?? Then, WHAT FISH DO I PUT IN IT?! I want them to have good room, so like, 3 female mollies and 1 male? When I take them home, how long should I leave their transport bag floating in my tank? When should I put them in the tank? How do I do water changes? I've heard something about partical water changes...what is this? Help!

What should i put in the tank whilst filtering- gravel, filter, heater aumming its tropical, decorations, plants. Everything except the filter is optional there though really.

Bleach is toxic and so probably is soap i'd stear clear of most cleaning products and just use elbow grease. Just in case :]

Your cycle will take anything from a week or two to about a month usually in my experience.

Yes you will need a water testing kit.

What fish can you put in it-http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-the-hobby/116208/Recommendations-For-A-10-Gallon/

There are a number of ways you can do water changes. Basically you take some water out (i do 20% every week personally) and replace it with water of the same temperature. Be sure to add dechlorinator to the tap water though, the chlorine isn't good for your fish or the bacteria that eat fish waste in your filter.

Partial water changes refers to changing a little bit of the water rather than all of it.

 

[SJ2K]

Just to add, bleach is fine to use to clean it, just give it a good rinse and let it air dry Most experienced keepers use bleach all the time.

 

[waterdrop]

Just to add, bleach is fine to use to clean it, just give it a good rinse and let it air dry Most experienced keepers use bleach all the time.

Thanks SJ2K, she had asked over in the welcome forum and I had told her that a mild solution of bleach, afterward air-dried, might help a lot with a very dirty old hand-me-down tank. What ratio of household bleach to water do you think is appropriate?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Gatorbait]

Just to add, bleach is fine to use to clean it, just give it a good rinse and let it air dry Most experienced keepers use bleach all the time.

Thanks SJ2K, she had asked over in the welcome forum and I had told her that a mild solution of bleach, afterward air-dried, might help a lot with a very dirty old hand-me-down tank. What ratio of household bleach to water do you think is appropriate?

~~waterdrop~~

10% solution and air dry for 3 days is what I do.

Someone above mentioned soap might be bad. If not rinsed well, you're correct. Soap will attack the gills of fish which is akin to someone choking a human around the neck. We can breathe but over time will suffocate.