Starting A New Aquarium

[garcooper]

Hello friends, i've been a member on this site since the 13th of August and i started with a 100 liter tank but on saturday i purchased a larger tank ( 120 liter ). The filter was already fitted with different compartments for various types of sponges. I have all the sponges set up in the right places. I want to make sure that everything is perfect for when i introduce my fish to there new home. I've set it all up now and its looking very nice. I have a few questions need answering so that everything is fine for the fish.

1- Do i need a air pump or airstone with a internal filter?
2- Do i have to do water changes while the water and filter are cycling?
3- Do i add tap water conditioner while cycling the water?

If anyone can give me any advice then i would be very grateful, many thanks, GARETH

 

[timmystood]

Not too sure about 1 and 2 because i'm still a bit of a newbie myself but to 3 I would say 'yes' I do - so to question 3 yes, but you might want someone elses opionion too.

 

[kris-b-]

Hi there!

What method of cycling are you performing on your new tank? Fishless or with fish? If you let us know this we can answer your questions to suit what you are doing

 

[garcooper]

Hello again, sorry i forgot to mention that i'm cycling the new tank without fish

Hope to hear from you soon, GARETH )

 

[rdd1952]

Hi Gareth. The answers are no (with an asterisk), no and yes.

You do not necessarily need an airstone in an aquarium but you do need extra aeration while doing a fishless cycle. The higher temperature (mid to upper 80s) of a cycling tamk drives oxygen out of the water so you need extra aeration to put the qxygen back so the bacteria can develop.

You do a big water change after the tank finishes cycling to get rid of the high nitrates but don't have to do any while it is cycling. And you definitely need to use dechlorinator. Otherwise the chlorine and chloramine in the water will kill off the bacteria severely slowing the cycling process.

Click the "Please Do a Fishless Cycle" link in my signature for all the info on how to do a fishless cycle .

 

[garcooper]

Hello again, i'd just like to say thanks for the good advice. Having someone like yourself to give advice is a great help.

Many thanks, GARETH

 

[_Cal_]

I did fish cycle, and you have to add conditioner, and do water chnages, but I would read more into which ever you chose in the forum. As for the air pump, why not oxygen doesnt hurt, only will help, I have to have with my planted aquarium.

 

[rdd1952]

As for the air pump, why not oxygen doesnt hurt, only will help, I have to have with my planted aquarium.

As a general rule, you don't want an air pump in a planted tank. The extra oxygen drives the CO2 needed by the plants out of the water. Usually, it's the other way around, you add CO2 to the water instead of air. If the plant isn't planted though, oxygen definitely won't hurt but isn't necessary.

 

[_Cal_]

Huh well I run the co2 during the day, well im goign to once I upgrade my system, and the air pump at night, should I not? My air pump isnt on right now anyways, the co2 system isnt ethier, not until next week.