Australian Freshwater Noobie

[7.62]

G'day everyone!

Ive been reading though this forum and it has already clarified some concerns! what a great start!

Here is my story. I woke up saturday morning and just decided, Im getting a fish tank. Its been a childhood (im 30 now) dream to own some Murray Cod with Yabbies. (http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_cod)

I bought a 1200 x 360mm tank, a Haiyong filter, gravel, air pump with 2 outlets, 2 longish stones and the chemicals to make tap water safe.
I have it set up, although I have changed the water 3 times (only to really allow me to change the bottom things easier) and I think I now have the rocks, and plants right.

I yesterday added some bait yabbies no longer that 80mm and 4 guppies. Everything is doing great so far. I have been reading on the internet and here that cloudy water is a common thing in new tanks due to rapid bacteria growth, it has got cloudy overnight, and while I can still see clearly through the water, its still not crystal. I hope that this will happen in a week or so? correct?

Secondly, would it be a good idea to run another of the same filter on the other side of that tank? just so the water stays as clean as I hope

I have grabbed some well choses rocks from the river there, (I soaked them in hot water, and scrubbed them down) and everything here looks happy. Although 1 fish didnt look well as soon as I put it in the tank, and he died overnight, the other, well I am assuming the Cod ate him!!

Anyway, please give me your opinion, and suggest anything that I should do to make this a very satisfying thing to stare at!!

 

[mattbleasby]

Hey mate, Welcome

Nice looking tank you got there Maybe some wood?

But first off... Is the tank cycled?

 

[7.62]

Thanks for the reply Matt.

Cycled. Yes, I have changed the water 3 times, and its filtered by a Hai Yang 1300F. The pH level is perfect. I think thats what you mean. I have been googling my #16##### of trying to find out if this filter is ok for the amount of water I have 180litres.

 

[The chilly dipper]

Hey mate, Welcome

Nice looking tank you got there Maybe some wood?

But first off... Is the tank cycled?

its very important u understand what the ins and outs of a fish in cycle are.
if you are not cycled yet.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/224306-fish-in-cycling/
click on this and read,vv important!!

cheers
the dipper

 

[The chilly dipper]

Thanks for the reply Matt.

Cycled. Yes, I have changed the water 3 times, and its filtered by a Hai Yang 1300F. The pH level is perfect. I think thats what you mean. I have been googling my #16##### of trying to find out if this filter is ok for the amount of water I have 180litres.

click the link above and read buddy,it dont sound like u are cycled

 

[7.62]

It looks like the tank is not cycled from what I have just read. This is what I did.

I got the tank home, washed the gravel in a sink. Poored the gravel in. Half filled the tank with tap water. Started the filter. Let the filter run for 30 mins. Changed the water. Did that twice. Half filled the tank again with clean tap water. Put in the tapsafe for the amount of litres I had in there.

Put the fish in. He was in the bag for 4 hours. (its a long drive) let that sit over night.

Next day, too him out, and changed the water, and then filling it up nearly to top. Fish back in.

Didnt like the rock placement, and I had to add some more. Changed water. This last process has happened 3 times. That photo above is after the third time.

 

[The chilly dipper]

Thanks for the reply Matt.

Cycled. Yes, I have changed the water 3 times, and its filtered by a Hai Yang 1300F. The pH level is perfect. I think thats what you mean. I have been googling my #16##### of trying to find out if this filter is ok for the amount of water I have 180litres.

your hai yang is more than up for the job.
the filter will clean every last drop of your water, 10 times every hour.

filtering your whole tanks water in around a few mins.

the rating of this filter is 1700 litres per hour

 

[7.62]

Mr Dipper.

Thats great news thanks. As far as cycling goes, do you think that what I have done will be sufficient?

 

[The chilly dipper]

It looks like the tank is not cycled from what I have just read. This is what I did.

I got the tank home, washed the gravel in a sink. Poored the gravel in. Half filled the tank with tap water. Started the filter. Let the filter run for 30 mins. Changed the water. Did that twice. Half filled the tank again with clean tap water. Put in the tapsafe for the amount of litres I had in there.

Put the fish in. He was in the bag for 4 hours. (its a long drive) let that sit over night.

Next day, too him out, and changed the water, and then filling it up nearly to top. Fish back in.

Didnt like the rock placement, and I had to add some more. Changed water. This last process has happened 3 times. That photo above is after the third time.

right we are all gonna help you along with this tank,
understand the link i posted and you will be fine.

someone will come shortly to explain in more detail
any questions you have on cycling.
but it mostly means waterchanges each day, 30% or more.

and not over feeding ect
also get a test kit mate. its worth the wonga believe me.

but as i said stick to the link info and youll be ok

 

[7.62]

Mr Dipper.

I understand the cycling process now I think. All that is missing is a test kit to confirm. I have just got of the phone to my local shep, and they have ordered me one. I do have the pH tester, although this would not pick up ammonia, or Nitrite. The new test kit will determine if I have cycled correctly.

Thanks for the information. I appreciate the fact that you are all respecting my 'noobness'

 

[The chilly dipper]

Mr Dipper.

Thats great news thanks. As far as cycling goes, do you think that what I have done will be sufficient?

you need to test your water each day to make sure your ammonia and nitrites are low.

cycling is where you take a month and devote it to your tank lol.
during what we call "cycling" we are growing a good bacteria in the filter that eats all the fish wee and poo,so the fish dont get poisoned by it.

this is why alot of fish die in tanks,because the tank has not been cycled.

growing this bacteria takes around 1 to 2 months to finish and you monitor it continuely using water testing kits from your fish store.

i think you should google the following things and study cycling on here in greater detail.

.cycling a fish tank
.the nitrogen cycle in a fish tank
.and also read on here too .

help and advice is on tap here.
welcome to tropical fish forums
any questions
ask me or anyone else who contributes in this post mate

 

[The chilly dipper]

Mr Dipper.

I understand the cycling process now I think. All that is missing is a test kit to confirm. I have just got of the phone to my local shep, and they have ordered me one. I do have the pH tester, although this would not pick up ammonia, or Nitrite. The new test kit will determine if I have cycled correctly.

Thanks for the information. I appreciate the fact that you are all respecting my 'noobness'

read the post above mate too.
im still a noob mate.

i never stop learning.
but from here on in you will live and breath and sleep fish lol
untill you are an expert.

 

[7.62]

Thanks again.

So lets say the test kit comes, and it reads that the levels are a little high ( or extraordinary for that matter ) the correct way to fix it, is just 50% water changes until it reaches its desired level?

 

[The chilly dipper]

Thanks again.

So lets say the test kit comes, and it reads that the levels are a little high ( or extraordinary for that matter ) the correct way to fix it, is just 50% water changes until it reaches its desired level?

yes you are right
just get the levels lower than before.
it dont have to be perfect but get it as low as you can.

i was doing 50 % water changes every day due to high readings.

then after a month my filter had the bacteria to eat the ammonia.
so that means only 1 water change a week to get rid of the bacterias poo.

dont worry you wont have to do this for long, just a few weeks. then your ammonia and nitRITE levels will be 0 all the time and nitrates will be 30 - 40 ppm this is safe and very normal level to have for nitRATES(BACTERIA POO)LOL

 

[7.62]

Awesome. When you say water change once a week, is that 100% water change? and wouldnt that start the whole process again?