Advice For A Beginner!

[tom_os]

rite.. i got my first 60l tank the other day and did all the setting up steps.

i was then told at the shop if i added a bottle of "Tetra Safestart" it would start the biological process quickly and i could add 1 or 2 fish the next day.

i now have 2 guppies which are both fine. as yet i havnt taken any water measurements or done any water changes yet.

is this all ok as i was looking to get 3 more fish next week?

thank you in advance for any help

 

[Truck]

sounds good, buy this : API freshwater master test kit (£15 ebay )

test your water every day and if you see ammonia or nitrite readings go above 0 do a water change.

i would leave 2 weeks before adding fish and then add 1 or 2 more every 2 weeks

 

[tom_os]

ok cheers, the reading are supposed to be like pH 7 and the other two zero yeah?

and if i get a high result how do i correct it?

 

[Truck]

ammonia should be 0ppm (but in a new tank here you have opted for fish-in cycling it will go up but try to keep it at 0ppm) rectify this with a water change to bring down to 0ppm

nitrIte (notice the I) should be 0ppm (but in a new tank here you have opted for fish-in cycling it will go up but try to keep it at 0ppm) rectify this with a water change to bring down to 0ppm

nitrAte (notice the A) should be within 10-20 ppm anything more is relativly safe until it gos over 40 ppm but if you stay with in 10-20 ppm you will be very safe. (i if they go over 20 do a water change)

and PH for most FW species from 6-7.5ish. but it depends on the species

 

[JustKia]

As you are now fish-in cycling (not the preferred method, but the same one I have been doing all the same) read the link in my sig for "fish in cycle" - it's a post by Miss Wiggles and tells you all you need to know in an easy to understand way =)

 

[tom_os]

ok thanks forn your help, i bought that test kit you recommended.

As you are now fish-in cycling (not the preferred method, but the same one I have been doing all the same) read the link in my sig for "fish in cycle" - it's a post by Miss Wiggles and tells you all you need to know in an easy to understand way =)

sorry, wheres that link

 

[Truck]

look at justkia's sig, (the box at the bottom of his/her comment) and the link is there.

 

[OldMan47]

Link to fish-in cycle exists in my sig area too. Just click it to go there.

 

[tom_os]

ok thats everyone

i did a 25% water change today and when my testing kit arrives i will test the water and if i have a problem i will post up the results

thanks again

 

[mireme]

Im a beginner and it took over 4 weeks for my tank to become established. Then i added my fish. A couple every week. The first ones i got were the tetras, which are doing really well, the two gourami's i put in died. The mollies are doing ok, as is the plecostomus, loaches and my cory. I will like to add some more soon.

I think you have to expect a few fish dying before you get it right. Fingers crossed

 

[JustKia]

I think you have to expect a few fish dying before you get it right. Fingers crossed

Not if you choose wisely, test carefully and observe closely.
Plenty of people have done successful fish-in cycles, it just means a lot more work in the early days.