Another Newbie...

[Mowbz]

Evening!

I thought i should at least introduce myself to the masses before i start picking everyone's brain! (Its better than picking anything else )

I'm about to start my first solo tank. I say this because i have "looked after" tropical fish a lot in the past, and have gained a lot of experience in their general upkeep and their diseases (HITH in Cichilids was an interesting read! ) however these people either don't have tanks anymore, or i no longer see them, so have little in the way of experience to draw from, hence joining here!

I have an almost new (odd, considering its age, but i even have the original stand AND box!) Hagen Tropiquarium 68 Tank and have ordered to fit;

Hagen 100W Heater (x2, if there's one thing I've learned, its "Have Back-up"!)
Hagen Fluval U2 External Filter
Hagen Twin Outlet Air Pump

Yes, its all Hagen. No i dont have OCD. I just like things to match. Flame me... lol

This weekend i'll be off to the LFS (D H Watergardens, Reading Road, Basingstoke, if your your "round my ends"...?) and need to get;

Ammonia Test Kit,
Nitrite Test Kit,
Nitrate Test Kit,
PH Test Kit,
"Aqua Safe" or a variant thereof,
Some new media (Have gravel, want sand.)
Plants (Still unsure, will get inspiration/guidance from lfs (not their guidance!)/here before buying)

Also need to find somewhere that sells 100% Ammonia, as i haven't even looked locally yet! Any suggestions for where to find this in a very large town?

Now, before i crack on, (I have read many versions meticulously, but will be using the "Add & Wait" from here, will update you all!) can anyone immediately add anything to make the whole process of fish-less cycling easier?

Will be starting the cycle on Sat 26th all being well.

Thanks in advance for any help/ comments.....

 

[micko]

Sounds like you've done your research, well done. I would suggest get a liquid test kit that tests for everything rather than individual tests, works out cheaper too. Well done on getting a second heater as well. You really never know when it'll be needed.

 

[colleen0309]

Good morning and welcome! Good job on the research! Keep up the good work.

 

[Mowbz]

Cheers for the comments guys. I suppose its like everything, you dont really learn, until you #62### things up! Hopefully ive done enough research to only #62### up the small stuff. Ill let you all know if the tank starts smelling like a public urinal lol

The Mrs wants a "nemo fish". Obviously this isnt going to happen with a Tropical tank, so how hard to keep are clown loach?? She likes the look of Nemo on the TV, but i doubt she would tell the difference in the tank! (Shes far to busy with "womens stuff" (namely organising our wedding..) to read up like i have

Ill have a read over the thread in the fish identifier bit....


EDIT: Loving the "#62###" where i wrote fËck, brilliant!

 

[fluttermoth]

Clown loach aren't hard to keep, they just grow to over a foot long and like to be in a group of at least six...

 

[Mowbz]

Ooooooooh, bigger tank! #41####, may have to wait. (Not too long though..)

Mines 70 gallons, at a foot a piece, i could lay them in like kippers in a tin. Not cool

Perhaps ill just get competent with the Tropical, then look at marine

EDIT: I cant write dâmn? Ouch...

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Welcome.

I think u want to use the term substrate rather than media, since media is the filter sponges or ceramic noodles or whatever media ur filter has in it. And yes sand is better than gravel in almost every way.

Good luck with ur tanks!