New Tank Cycle

[Chris_1987]

Hi all i know some of th things in here would of been covered hundreds of times but just want to make sure i got it all going ok so far , ok first thing is my levels i have at the moment some cheap dip stick things from asda to test my water until i can buy a proper test kit (suggestions on a easy and accurate one if possible) but the readings that is giving me are:

nitrate 100 mg/l
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide??) 0 mg/l
GH? 8d
KH? 6d
PH 7.4

firstly are these levels ok for a fishless cycle (55ltr tank, with 5 plants and some drift wood) about 2 weeks in also if you can be bothered to lower yourselfs to this level try and explain what what NO2 effects and what GH and KH are?

OK next is i have this kind of oil slick on top of the water, i have got on its way a little surface skimmer thing and a pump, my theory is skimming this oil from the top and mixing it in the water allowing my filter to remove it, is this hopeful thinking? dangerous to fish?

Next is a pest problem, not the snails i knew they would come with the plants but wierd little drown worm like things just squirming around floating in the current, are these just harmless things or something more serious? now may be a good time to mention its a second hand tank that came with gravel.

ok and lastly whn my problems and cycle are sorted i like corys, false bandits would 5 of these be ok in a tank 2x1x1 ft and are they ok to be put in first? i will be adding a school (not sure if spelt right im a mechanic) of tetras of something else like that ill have to get the colours right. im running a fluval u2 so think i am over filtering slightly again is this ok?

Thanks for getting this far and any help would be very much appreciated, chris.

 

[lilfishie]

API mater kits are highly recommended on this forum, ebay seems to be the best/cheapest place to get them

Cories are great little fish, what substrate do you have?

Over filtering in my opinion is never a bad thing, i over fitler my heavily planted tank

Are your plants real ones?

 

[Chris_1987]

thanks for the reply, the plants are real yes, and it seems like fake gravel as subtrate.

 

[lilfishie]

if it is smooth then cories will be fine

 

[Chris_1987]

awesome , how about the number, i hear they like groups so is 5 ok would you suggest more?less?

 

[lilfishie]

5-6 is usually recommended

Any other ideas on stocking?

 

[Chris_1987]

ive looked but not decided yet, im liking the firework damio (or whatever they are called im useles with names) neon tetras are nice but too common, i want something small to fit a few in quite active and colourful, dont want too much do i lol, and maybe a harem of swordtails prob black or pineapple again not really decided, th only deffinate so far is the false bandit cories. any suggestions of good fish?

 

[lilfishie]

Swordtails unfortuantly are a bit big for your tank, how about Platies? Very similar just about half the size.

Might be a good idea to start visiting stores near you, jotting names down of fish you like then asking if there suitable

 

[Chris_1987]

ah #29###, yea strange ive been in loads of fish shops when i was younger but never noted names, prob will spend the weekend looking round, just got to fight the temptation to buy them lol platies? hmmmm are they surface swimmers as well?

 

[lilfishie]

i have found them to swim all over, same with swordtails.

 

[Chris_1987]

awsome ill have a look at them tomorrow then thanks