New Fluval 240 Aquarium

[mbsqw1d]

I just have to wait now while the aquarium settles for a few weeks now won't I And wait while the wood sinks in to place.

Do you reckon I need more plants I fancied some moss which would grow on the driftwood

Its personal preference with how heavily planted it should be but I always say the more plants the better!

Before adding fish you'll need to cycle the tank - this is where you colonise bacteria in the filter media (sponges etc) which will take care of the fish waste (see nitrogen cycle).
There are some pinned posts in this forum that provide methods for cycling.
You'll need a water test kit that measures for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

There's a method where you add liquid ammonia and wait for the bacteria to grow.
Theres a silent cycle method where you add a small number of fish to a heavily planted tank.
And theres the not so recommended, fish-in cycle, where you need to do daily water changes to keep the fish safe from their own toxic waste whilst waiting for the bacteria to grow.

 

[SHERRIFFP]

Its personal preference with how heavily planted it should be but I always say the more plants the better!

Before adding fish you'll need to cycle the tank - this is where you colonise bacteria in the filter media (sponges etc) which will take care of the fish waste (see nitrogen cycle).
There are some pinned posts in this forum that provide methods for cycling.
You'll need a water test kit that measures for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

There's a method where you add liquid ammonia and wait for the bacteria to grow.
Theres a silent cycle method where you add a small number of fish to a heavily planted tank.
And theres the not so recommended, fish-in cycle, where you need to do daily water changes to keep the fish safe from their own toxic waste whilst waiting for the bacteria to grow.

Im in no rush what's the best water testing kit to buy?

I read up on various methods. The forum has a section for cycling the tank doesn't it

 

[mbsqw1d]

Im in no rush what's the best water testing kit to buy?

I read up on various methods. The forum has a section for cycling the tank doesn't it

API and NTI labs are the most recommended makes. API do a master test kit.

Yes theres some 'sticky' posts here:

Cycle your Tank

Cycling a tank is vital to keeping your fish alive. This section is where you can read about cycling (the nitrogen cycle) and ask questions about how to do it properly.

www.fishforums.net

Is your substrate an active one? As in, does it contain nutrients? If not and its inert, you'll need to provide nutrients or your plants will die off. Notably N, P and K

 

[R84achey]

I just have to wait now while the aquarium settles for a few weeks now won't I And wait while the wood sinks in to place.

Do you reckon I need more plants I fancied some moss which would grow on the driftwood

Tie some rocks to your driftwood to sink it in place. Anubias and Java plants can be glued or tied (gorilla super glue gel make sure it’s gel) to your rocks and wood x

 

[SHERRIFFP]

API and NTI labs are the most recommended makes. API do a master test kit.

Yes theres some 'sticky' posts here:

Cycle your Tank

Cycling a tank is vital to keeping your fish alive. This section is where you can read about cycling (the nitrogen cycle) and ask questions about how to do it properly.

www.fishforums.net

Is your substrate an active one? As in, does it contain nutrients? If not and its inert, you'll need to provide nutrients or your plants will die off. Notably N, P and K

My substrate is active ive got some soil underneath the black gravel substrate

 

[SHERRIFFP]

Tie some rocks to your driftwood to sink it in place. Anubias and Java plants can be glued or tied (gorilla super glue gel make sure it’s gel) to your rocks and wood x

Is gorilla gel ok to use to stick moss etc to driftwood. I thought about slate to sink the driftwood no sign of sinking so far look

 

[SHERRIFFP]

Water seems a bit cloudy don't you reckon

 

[SHERRIFFP]

Here

 

[SHERRIFFP]

Is this the kit you recommend how many tests?

 

[NannaLou]

This is what my tank looks like with part water in had a nitemare with the filter water everywhere things we're not on right.

I assume the wood should float for a while I fill it up with water avd get the filter working tonight. I've read about priming the filter

@SHERRIFFP - yes the wood in my tank took about two weeks to get thoroughly soak and settle. Your tank’s looking good so far ?

 

[Essjay]

That's the one most of us use. it tests for pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

With pH, test both a freshly run sample of water and some that's been allowed to stand overnight. You'll probably find they are different.
Use both pH testers till you know which one your pH sits in.

Nitrate - tap bottle #2 on the worktop before using it, then shale it even longer than the instructions say. it contains a reagent which sttles on the bottom of the bottle and all that shaling is needed to get it back into the liquid.

 

[Jadzir]

I would definitely get more plants.

 

[SHERRIFFP]

I will order one now a API kit any thing else I need some one mentioned prime prime water is that so you can add your fish quicker

 

[SHERRIFFP]

I would definitely get more plants.

I will do. I need another small bag of gravel why I was filling up my rank a bit of soil substrate has Come on the black substrate I'm guessing this will be harmful for the fish doesn't look nice anyway.


What pipe do you recommend for water changes

 

[mbsqw1d]

I will order one now a API kit any thing else I need some one mentioned prime prime water is that so you can add your fish quicker

Prime is a water conditioner that you use to treat your tap water with and remove chlorine / chloramine and some heavy metals. So yeh, id recommend that. It isnt a product that allows you to add fish sooner. There are products that claim to do this, known as "bacteria in a bottle". Ive never used one so couldn't recommend a brand sorry.