Hi, New Fishkeeper

[l_l_l]

Hi and very late welcome from me!
 
It seems that you are still at square one! I suggest you return the guppies and do a fishless cycling.
 
Here is a very helpful guide that will help you to do just that.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/
 
I hope you don't give up on the hobby! Once you are cycled, you'll see, there is a lot more to it!

 

[Paddski]

Don't get any more guppies today - ideally you could return the 6 you've got and do a proper fishless cycle to ensure you don't go through all that hassle and heartache again.

Thanks for advice. Readings taken 30/12/13. Niti 0, Amm 0, Ph high 8.1. Readings taken today 1/1/14 Nitri 0, Amm 0.25, Nitrate between 5 and 10

Hi and very late welcome from me!
 
It seems that you are still at square one! I suggest you return the guppies and do a fishless cycling.
 
Here is a very helpful guide that will help you to do just that.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/
 
I hope you don't give up on the hobby! Once you are cycled, you'll see, there is a lot more to it!

Thanks taking some more readings today.

 

[Paddski]

4weeks in with fish in
Hi peeps. Been running over a week at higher temp now. As I am doing a fishin cycle does it matter if you do a lot of water changes as you need to allow Ammon to build to create required bact?

1. I change water every other day, one change at 50% and the next at 75-80%. Too many changes or it doesn't matter how many you do and how big they are?
2. My natural tap water is around 7.4ph, tank water is around 8.2. I have read guppies like it a round a neutral 7?
3. Green/brown growth on glass and silk plants, this algae developing in the tank? Should you have a certain amount of it in the tank naturally or does it need to be cleaned out regularly or dealt with some way?

4. How long per day should you have your tank lights switched on?
Sorry no more questions!

 

[fluttermoth]

1. You need to do as many, or as large, water changes as necessary to keep both ammonia and nitrite from getting to over 025ppm. Unless you have a very old, neglected tank (where the water parameters are very different from the tap water; something called 'old tank syndrome') you can do as many, or as large water changes as you want, as long as the new water is warmed and dechlorinated. Your filter will still cycle with an amount of ammonia that's too small to show up on our home tests.

2. Guppies prefer hard, slightly alkaline water. It's normally very difficult to change hardness or pH, so I wouldn't worry. Are you testing the tap water after it's stood for 24 hours? Many water companies temporarily alter pH (to stop pipe corrosion). If that's a correct tap pH, there's something in your tank that's raising it. Substrate or rocky decor are the the normal most common culprits.

3. Yes, sounds like algae. Algae is normal part of aquatic environments; it tends to be disliked in tanks for purely aesthetic reasons. It rarely causes any harm. You can let it build up on the back and sides of the tank, if you have any algae eaters, or you can clean it out; it's really up to you.

4. Between six and eight hours, if you have live plants. Just when you're there to view the tank if not.

 

[Paddski]

1. You need to do as many, or as large, water changes as necessary to keep both ammonia and nitrite from getting to over 025ppm. Unless you have a very old, neglected tank (where the water parameters are very different from the tap water; something called 'old tank syndrome') you can do as many, or as large water changes as you want, as long as the new water is warmed and dechlorinated. Your filter will still cycle with an amount of ammonia that's too small to show up on our home tests.2. Guppies prefer hard, slightly alkaline water. It's normally very difficult to change hardness or pH, so I wouldn't worry. Are you testing the tap water after it's stood for 24 hours? Many water companies temporarily alter pH (to stop pipe corrosion). If that's a correct tap pH, there's something in your tank that's raising it. Substrate or rocky decor are the the normal most common culprits.3. Yes, sounds like algae. Algae is normal part of aquatic environments; it tends to be disliked in tanks for purely aesthetic reasons. It rarely causes any harm. You can let it build up on the back and sides of the tank, if you have any algae eaters, or you can clean it out; it's really up to you.4. Between six and eight hours, if you have live plants. Just when you're there to view the tank if not.

Thanks very much again for advice. 1. I am doing everything right here then, tank is new, 30% water changes every other day from today. 2. No stones or anything in tank to cause ph to rise, I have recently been informed today that ph is lowered before it come out of taps and sits naturally in my area at 8.1 so from that it's not rising in the tank then. Water is very hard so guppies will like that then. 3. Will keep an eye on algae and clean when required. No live plants so will switch on when viewing only