Newbie Asking Some Questions

[Ranoa]

Hi guys!

I've recently taken an interest into taking care of fish.

I've only got a small starter tank which is 28L. It has an under gravel filter. I have yet to put fish in the tank yet because my LFS told me to cycle the tank for 1 week.

I have filled the water up with tap water, added aquarium water conditioners and dechloronisers. I have also added a pH 7.0 satchel to stabalise the pH levels. I have 4kg of gravel in my tank with 2 fake plants and 1 small jug ornament.

As well as my under gravel filter I have purchased another filter which breaks the water

The questions I have are:

1. Which fish would be good for me if I want to purchase tropical fish?


2. I was trying to reposition my pump and heater and i've noticed my water has gone a bit cloudy, I dread an entire water change and was wondering if this can be fixed without me having to go through such a long procedure.

3. My tank seems also to be lurking around the 29-31C temperatures, is this a safe temperature and if not is there any way to decrease it?

4. I've been reading through these forums for about 3 hours now and I have noticed alot of people talking about a 25-60% water change, when I do a water change, do I place straight tap water in or should I use the dechloronisers on the water before placing it in the tank? What is the exact step-by-step procedure of a water change? (I couldn't seem to find that anywhere!)

5. Any extra tips on how to keep my nitrate, ammonia, nitrite and ph levels normal for my fish to last more than 1 week that would be great!

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Fwapp]

1. New Fish = Zebra Danios, IMO, very hardy and very entertaining to watch, just a couple to start with.

2. Did to rinse the gravel through before putting it into the tank? It could be that the debris from the gravel is in the water.

3. That temp is a bit high for most tropical fish. Try turning the temp down to around 25c. There should be an adjuster on the heater for this. If not, take it back to the shop you bought it from and ask for another!

4. Water change. Use decholrinator before you put the new water in the tank, and try to match the water temp to that of the tank. Draw off 20% from the tank into a bucket and either water the plants with it or down the drain. Then place new,treated water into the tank, preferably using a siphon (suck on a tube). Also when drawing from the tank, you'll notice that tank water tastes like chicken! You perform water changes in the early days to keep ammonia and nitrite levels down, if you have fish in the tank. Later when it's all settled down, to keep Nitrate levels in check. Buy test kits to check these levels.

5. See above.

I'm only a noob myself, but I believe my advice to be correct. Others, please put me right if I'm wrong!

 

[kris-b-]

LFS told me to cycle the tank for 1 week

This is incorrect. Your tank needs a source of ammonia to be able to cycle. This will either come from fish or you adding some into the tank. Please read through this pinned thread about what the cycle is...


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

and also have a look at this thread at how to perform a fishless cycle....

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

If you do not perform a fishless cycle and you decide to cycle with fish then you will have to perform daily water changes to keep the fish from being exposed to ammonia and nitrites at toxic levels.

 

[daza]

1. New Fish = Zebra Danios, IMO, very hardy and very entertaining to watch, just a couple to start with.

...

I'm only a noob myself, but I believe my advice to be correct. Others, please put me right if I'm wrong!

Ranoa said the tank was 28 Litres, which is only 7.4 gal(US) so no Zebra Danios in there, no where near enough space.

 

[Ranoa]

Ranoa said the tank was 28 Litres, which is only 7.4 gal(US) so no Zebra Danios in there, no where near enough space.

Should I start with some angels then?

This is incorrect. Your tank needs a source of ammonia to be able to cycle. This will either come from fish or you adding some into the tank. Please read through this pinned thread about what the cycle is...


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

and also have a look at this thread at how to perform a fishless cycle....

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

If you do not perform a fishless cycle and you decide to cycle with fish then you will have to perform daily water changes to keep the fish from being exposed to ammonia and nitrites at toxic levels.

Thanks for that, It's the 4th day now since i've got the tank, should I get some fish now to increase the ammonia levels?

2. Did to rinse the gravel through before putting it into the tank? It could be that the debris from the gravel is in the water.

I did rinse the gravel before placing it in the tank, but I went to rearrange some of the filters and all of a sudden the water became cloudy, i've slept on it now, and it's not as bad... I guess it will disappear over time?

3. That temp is a bit high for most tropical fish. Try turning the temp down to around 25c. There should be an adjuster on the heater for this. If not, take it back to the shop you bought it from and ask for another!

Good news! Got the tank to be hovering around 27-28C temps now.... trying my best to place it in a cool area!

 

[clunkster]

sorry wont be big enough for angels either you could try some bettas then later you could try some corydoras when your water is more mature

 

[Ranoa]

sorry wont be big enough for angels either you could try some bettas then later you could try some corydoras when your water is more mature

Ok, sounds good i'll go have a look at these fish

How about some neons? Or am I pushing my luck?

 

[clunkster]

not sure you would have enough room for neons as you should idealy have a school of 6

 

[rdd1952]

sorry wont be big enough for angels either you could try some bettas then later you could try some corydoras when your water is more mature

You could have a single betta, not bettas unless they are female and even that might be a problem in a small tank. Adding about 3 corys would also be ok once the tank is cycled as you mentioned.