Tropical Fish Tank setup help

[Treestone]

This link discusses it: https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_does_sulfate_reduction_increase_or_decrease_pH

 

[letssetup]

If you are planning on corys sand is a must. Argos play sand is a good choice if you like the colour. As for how much I have seen calculators on some sites, but I like it between 1.5 and 2" deep as that is deep enough to root plants in but not deep enough to cause problems due to anaerobic pockets forming..

Thank you and thanks to everyone else for all the advice.

So are live plants a must in a tropical fish tank?

 

[Essjay]

They are not a must but they are advisable.

 

[letssetup]

Hey people.

I put in a Betta Thermal Compact submersible aquarium heater today (200W), however not sure if it's working right?

It has been in a good 6 hours now and is set to heat tank too 25c, however the tank is only 23c and the orange light isn't on. Do I need to set the temperature too 27c so that it gets to 25c?

 

[Essjay]

Most heaters are badly calibrated. The best way to set them is to go by the thermometer, if it is one that goes inside the tank as the stick on the outside thermometers are not reliable.
I would turn the heater up slightly and see what that does. Then a bit more if it's still too low.

 

[letssetup]

Most heaters are badly calibrated. The best way to set them is to go by the thermometer, if it is one that goes inside the tank as the stick on the outside thermometers are not reliable.
I would turn the heater up slightly and see what that does. Then a bit more if it's still too low.

I've attached pictures of the setup. I will also turn it up.

 

[letssetup]

Today I cleaned the gravel, put in all the equipment and I've added Seachem - Stability and also Seachem - Prime. So, how long should I leave it untill I add fish?

 

[Essjay]

If you have a lot of live plants, when they are visibly growing well.

If there are no live plants, after it has been cycled

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

Adding Tetra Safe Start will probably speed it up a bit.

 

[letssetup]

Thank you. What is the best test kit to buy for testing pH etc?

 

[Essjay]

A liquid reagent test kit is best. Most of us use the API master test kit which contains tests for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

 

[letssetup]

I brought API 5in1 test kit has the other is too expensive for me at the moment.

The results are;
GH 180
KH 120
PH 7.5
NO2 0
NO3 0

What are your thoughts?

 

[Essjay]

The GH is pretty much what your water company says.
Your water company says your nitrate is an average of 11 ppm over 8 samples, so I would not trust the strip for nitrate.

To cycle a tank you need to be able to test for ammonia. You can buy separate strips for that.
Did you read this on how to cycle a tank https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

 

[letssetup]

The GH is pretty much what your water company says.
Your water company says your nitrate is an average of 11 ppm over 8 samples, so I would not trust the strip for nitrate.

To cycle a tank you need to be able to test for ammonia. You can buy separate strips for that.
Did you read this on how to cycle a tank https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

Wouldn't that be because I've added Seachem Stability that breaks it down?

I'll buy some.