Beginner

[GaryMcLean]

Hi all. First time poster

I have recently bought a starter tank and filter from Pets at Home.

Tank size is 20cm wide, 24cm deep and 34cm long.
Filter make is QD-1900/F

Looking for some tips on how to get up and running. Ive had the take running for 2 days now. Filter is about 2/3cm under water surface creating ripples on surface. I have also been advised to put a small drop of fish flakes in to create bacteria.

Can anyone give anymore tips or pointers? Thanks.

 

[minnnt]

Hi Gary, welcome to the forum. The best way to get started is to do a fish less cycle. This includes adding ammonia to your tank. You will also need to purchase a test kit so that you know what is happening with your filter. Have a read in the beginners resource centre thread for more info on exactly how to do it.

Either that or try and source some mature media from a fellow member or a friend.

Where abouts are you? There is a sticky thread of members willing to donate cycled media. That will save you a hell of a lot of time, effort and pain watching an empty tank.

 

[Fish_keeper203]

What sort of fish are thinking of putting in there because if you go tropical you need a heater. Also a pump is good for any tank as it gives extra oxygen which is something you will be glad to have. Also since you are a beginner start off with hardy fish as you will see them last longer then some more of the tricky variety. All in all welcome to your new hobby I hope you enjoy it.

 

[XeroTolerance]

to the forums. I would recommend reading some fish less cycle tutorials so you become familiar with the Nitrogen cycle. That is a must if you want to be a fish keeper.

 

[RobberyinCSharp]

Certainly!

Well, for starters - have you added anything else? Gravel? Sand?
It is recommended that you add some flakes and/or ammonia now and again to encourage bacteria to grow.
Make sure to purchase a testing kit (I enjoy API Master Test Kit) to monitor the water parameters each day. This will also provide you with some insight on how the tank cycle process is going
After about 4 weeks you can add your first fish. Don't add too many to begin with! Just one or two hardy fish like platy or molly. They'll help boost the level of bacterial growth as well, since they're directly producing ammonia in their waste.

Give it another week or two and then add more fish as you please. Again, don't add to many fish at once.
Live plants help with the cycling process as well, and encourage healthier living for your fish. Just make sure you don't have fish that eat those plants!

Happy fishing!

 

[XeroTolerance]

Here is a link to a helpful fish less cycling thread. This is what I used and it made everything clear.

 

[minnnt]

Not strictly true. It is safe to add fish when the test results allow you to... Not after a set amount of time.

Please don't add fish flakes to create ammonia. You have no control over the ammount your are adding, where as with a bottle of ammonia you can measure the amount needed to create a reading of 'X' in your tank.

And live plants won't help with the cycling process, they will more than likely prolong it as they will take in some of the ammonia you add so the filter will have an unknown quantity of ammonia to deal with.

 

[GaryMcLean]

I'm from Greenock.

I have blue gravel in the tank just now. Not looking to get any really fancy fish, just maybe 2 or 3 wee goldfish.

 

[minnnt]

I don't think your tank would be big enough for 3 goldfish mate tbh, maybe look into some white cloud mountain minnows or something? I would get a heater just to kick in if the water drops too cold.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Not strictly true. It is safe to add fish when the test results allow you to... Not after a set amount of time.

Please don't add fish flakes to create ammonia. You have no control over the ammount your are adding, where as with a bottle of ammonia you can measure the amount needed to create a reading of 'X' in your tank.

And live plants won't help with the cycling process, they will more than likely prolong it as they will take in some of the ammonia you add so the filter will have an unknown quantity of ammonia to deal with.

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