New Guy With A Few Questions

[Sweeden]

So my friend is helping me who created this account but has given it me for the minute.

I have today gone and bought a 125L Tank with his help we set up the stand and cleaned the gravel, added an air stone, added some tank safe and ammonia (He tells me I need to do this, I can't remember why though).

Well Its sat in the corner of my room at the moment not doing a dmaned thing

and I'm thinking what fish I will want.

My friend is giving me his fish which include 1 Fighting fish (Beta), 11 Pencilfish (beckfords?). He said I should go for 1 inch per gallon or as close to as I can.

Tank 125L is 27.5G

13" of fish already leaves 15" of fish.

On my current list is 12 Cardinal Tetras, as he said he had them previously with the Beta and they should be ok.

What other fish should I look at getting?

Tiger barbs? Swords? Guppies?

I want something that really 'pops' because his fish looked really good in his old 10G tank.

 

[Timberbatch]

Hello!,
 
The ammonia is used to start your fishless cycle, which for that size of tank I'd recommend letting it run maybe 2-3 weeks. Basically what you are doing in this fishless cycle is building up good bacteria to eat all the ammonia your fish will give off with their waste, etc. Without that bacteria your fish would literally suffocate in the toxic water  
 
As for the fish, I would just start off with the betta after the cycle. Adding too many fish at once will stress them and could lead to health problems and in extreme and common cases death. It doesn't mean you can't think of fish to put in later though! 
 
Guppies are also a good starter but will not get on with the betta. Bettas tend to be aggressive to fish with flowing fins that resemble themselves. I've not had personal experience with cardinals but hear that they do better in well established tanks(ones that have been running a good while) 
 
Not sure what else to suggest, maybe someone else will come by! Best of luck!

 

[TallTree01]

I would add the cardinals first so the betta doesn't get territorial.
Guppies and tiger barbs won't work with a betta.

 

[Timberbatch]

I would add the cardinals first so the betta doesn't get territorial.

Ah yes, sorry. Never had anything live with a betta so I forget how bad they can be territory wise.
 
Maybe start with 6 cardinals, 12 would be far too much for starters. I've always heard 3 was a good number but I believe cardinals do better in bigger groups.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Be sure to wait until your filter is fully cycled before adding anything, though. It's a good idea to invest in a liquid test kit so you can keep track of your water stats, especially important while cycling and after you add any fish.

 

[Electric Warrior]

Lol! I am going to go against the grain here and say dont add the cardinals first! They can be quite tricky in new setups, there is little room for error with them until the tank has been established for a bit, IMO. Pencilfish might be a better bet, but yeah don't add anything until its fully cycled. Read the sticky in the beginners section on fishless cycling because you will need a test kit to monitor your levels and add more ammonia when it drops back to 0. You can't just put it in once as that will not work.

 

[Sweeden]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

My friend is doing daily checks (I'm going to run out of teabags) with his bottles and chart. He has also added a sponge from his tank into my filter as he said that would speed things up.

He also said to ask you lot if I should use his stones as well as mine (same black stones) because they hold bacteria to.

Also what if I add 5G of his this Friday when he does his water changes.

The Fish I would be adding at the start he's had for a good while now as I picked them up with him so they all get on quite happily.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

My friend is doing daily checks (I'm going to run out of teabags) with his bottles and chart. He has also added a sponge from his tank into my filter as he said that would speed things up.

He also said to ask you lot if I should use his stones as well as mine (same black stones) because they hold bacteria to.

Also what if I add 5G of his this Friday when he does his water changes.

The Fish I would be adding at the start he's had for a good while now as I picked them up with him so they all get on quite happily.

 
Only a tiny amount of bacteria is actually living on the sand/gravel/ornaments. Nearly all of it, I would hazard a guess and say 90% + will be living inside your filter. Add what YOU want to the tank, although your friend does sound as though he knows enough to get things started.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Agree with tomtom above, and adding water from your friend's tank won't make a difference either. But the fact he's giving you some of his filter medium is terrific! That will set you on your way beautifully.

 

[Sweeden]

It was his tank that inspired me and when he said if i wanted the contents i said yes

 

[sadguppy]

Sounds like your friend knows his stuff, however it is your tank so do with it what you wish! If I had a brand new 125l, I would plant it up and add a nice big shoal of forktail rainbows or dwarf neons, at least 8 corydoras, and perhaps a single angelfish or gourami. I know you have the fighter, and he wouldn't be compatible with the gourami. Be aware that although pretty, he will really limit what you can stock due to his aggressive/territorial nature and may be better off in his own, smaller tank.

 

[Sweeden]

Here it is temporarily set up

Goldies are in whilst girlfriend cleans her tank

 

[This Old Spouse]

Looks good!

 

[Sweeden]

OK my stats are as follows

Ammonia 1.0ppm
Nitrite 0.25ppm
Nitrate 0ppm

How long have I got left till i can put fish in

 

[This Old Spouse]

When your ammonia and nitrite zero out within 24 hours.