Hi, there

[Bol]

Hello, all. Just introducing myself.

I've recently decided to start an aquarium for the first time since ... well... a few decades.

My wife and I read and discussed a lot of things, and we've decided to start with an AGA 46-gallon bowfront tank (a real pity that we just couldn't get a 48" tank to fit anywhere). It's a freshwater community tank, with plants. Also, after much research, and much internal debate, I've decided to take a gamble, and try the Bio-Spira "quick start" method.

It's now day 3, and things *appear* to be going well. Be glad to keep you posted with progress.

Also, I'm sure I'll have quite a few questions, especially since our water (Sioux City, IA, USA) is ... well, not exactly ideal. I need to get a confirmation on some tests before giving numbers, but for now I can say the water is very hard, and has a quite high pH.

See you around!

 

[platypus]

Hi and

Good luck starting off on this great hobby!

If you haven't already done so, have a read of these articles. This one is about cycling without fish, and this one is a list of a few things that we all wish we'd been told when we were at your stage in the hobby!

 

[Alien Anna]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, you can try Bio-spira but be aware that no product can instantly colonise your filter and gravel - it's no good having the bacteria free floating in the water, it has to stick to a substrate and grow. This cannot happen over-night.

Do check out the link in my sig if you haven't done so already as it should explain the background to this.