Recent content by fallingacrobat

Thank you. That makes sense to me:)

OK- thank you for the advice. I really appreciate hearing from people with experience.

Do I understand correctly that you fill your tank half full of plants? Do you leave all of the plants in when you introduce the fish? That seems like a lot of plants.

Help me understand the live plant's role in cycling. Do living plants aid cycling because the beneficial bacteria live on the surfaces of the plants, or that somehow the plants help neutralize the ammonia and nitrite in the water? Will live plants in the water effectively cycle the tank? If so...

Thanks for the info about the live plants. Maria wants to put several fish in the tank. Can bettas live with other types of fish? I've always thought they are pretty aggressive.

It is a 13 gallon tank. I haven't considered real plants. I've never done that before, and thought we should concentrate on keeping the fish alive first? Would living plants help the tank cycle faster? Keep the environment healthier for the fish? Do I have to provide living plants with...

Here we are so far. Maria chose the gravel, rocks, and plants. No fish yet. Yes- we are going to cycle the tank first. I've read some about methods. Advice? Can I ask my local fish shop for some squish from a sponge filter? Any recommendations on a good water testing kit?

I am helping my 16 year old daughter start an aquarium she got for Christmas. She has never had fish. I haven't had a tank since I was in college, so most of what I knew is long forgotten. I'm looking forward to getting started, but patience is my daughter's first lesson in tank setup!