SouthernCross
Fish Addict
Hey everyone - this is my first post. 
I have been reading this forum and others extensively (am now completely hooked - I spend hours on here researching!) and I still have a few questions.
Here is my setup -
New (as of Christmas) 36x14x18 inch glass aquarium (worked that out to be about 148L or around 39 US gallons) with stand and hood. Running an undergravel filter, have lighting, and a heater (although the heater is not turned on - its summer here in Australia and the tank is sitting around 26-27 degrees Celsius all on its own)
The tank has been up and running now for around 3 weeks. It has about 2-3 inches of gravel, a couple of ornaments and 3 plants - one of which is a large cut bunch which is now shooting roots out all over the place (Does this mean its healthy?). I'm hoping to establish a freshwater tropical community tank - species I like include platies, guppies, maybe mollies (not sure about their salt) gouramis, barbs, tetras, small corys/plecos and angels.
In terms of cycling, the LFS advised me to use Stress Zyme (a biological filtration booster) as per the instructions for three weeks - then to come back and see about getting some fish, and I could bring a sample of water to be tested if I wanted to. I asked about ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kits (I had already done some reading up on the nitrogen cycle so I understood the process the tank is supposed to go through) but the guy said not to worry about it, just to let it run then come back. I'm starting to think this probably wasn't very good advice. They did sell me a Ph test kit however - which is on 7.2-7.4, it says the ideal is 7, but after reading the forums I'm not going to try and mess around with that.
Since logic told me bacteria was not going to grow unless it had something to eat (and at this stage I wasn't familiar with adding ammonia as per the fishless cycle) - I transferred a 2-3 inch goldfish I had that had been living in a large bowl for around 2 years into the big tank. I thought the cycling process was maybe going to make him sick but honestly he has never looked happier having all that space! I couldn't stand the thought of putting him back in the bowl so I am going to give him to a friend who has a large goldfish tank when I'm ready to stock. I know now this probably wasn't the greatest way of helping my tank cycle but its done now. Goldfish are pretty grotty so I think he's been producing a fair amount of muck for my bacteria... Obviously I can't provide you guys with any test parameters as the LFS didnt want to sell me a kit (I guess I had beginner stamped all over my face), but hopefully you guys can still help with my questions...
I'm planning to go back to the LFS in the next couple of days since the 3 weeks is now up to see if I can get some tropical fish to put in the tank. Before I go I was wondering whether I should do a water change and vacuum my gravel as I do so or not, as I've read that can reduce your bacteria and disturbing the gravel might mess things up too. The water is clear but when moving an ornament (felt a bit slimy, this is good, means its growing bacteria yes?) I noticed I disturbed a bit of dirty stuff on the bottom. Should I do this before or after getting my new fish, or leave the tank alone for longer? Some more questions -
Am I likely to be even close to fully cycled doing what I've done?
Am I right in thinking that since I've had the goldfish in there I will have to stock slowly since its only used to the bioload of the one goldfish? Unlike fishless cycling where you can fully stock almost immediately? How many fish would you guys recommend initially and how often/how many fish should I continue to add over time? I figured I'd start with something tough like a few platies..
Is the undergravel filter going to cut it on its own or should I get another form of mechanical filtration to help out?
Should I have the heater on anyway even though the water temp is up on its own?
And finally (I know the stocking question gets asked a million times on here) based on the list of fish I'm interested in above (obviously I can't have them all!), what would you guys recommend for a selection? Based on the 1' per gallon rule I'm guessing I can have somewhere around 18 inches of fish?
I know this is a massive post, but I would really appreciate any help you lovely experienced people could offer
Thankyou!
I have been reading this forum and others extensively (am now completely hooked - I spend hours on here researching!) and I still have a few questions.
Here is my setup -
New (as of Christmas) 36x14x18 inch glass aquarium (worked that out to be about 148L or around 39 US gallons) with stand and hood. Running an undergravel filter, have lighting, and a heater (although the heater is not turned on - its summer here in Australia and the tank is sitting around 26-27 degrees Celsius all on its own)
The tank has been up and running now for around 3 weeks. It has about 2-3 inches of gravel, a couple of ornaments and 3 plants - one of which is a large cut bunch which is now shooting roots out all over the place (Does this mean its healthy?). I'm hoping to establish a freshwater tropical community tank - species I like include platies, guppies, maybe mollies (not sure about their salt) gouramis, barbs, tetras, small corys/plecos and angels.
In terms of cycling, the LFS advised me to use Stress Zyme (a biological filtration booster) as per the instructions for three weeks - then to come back and see about getting some fish, and I could bring a sample of water to be tested if I wanted to. I asked about ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test kits (I had already done some reading up on the nitrogen cycle so I understood the process the tank is supposed to go through) but the guy said not to worry about it, just to let it run then come back. I'm starting to think this probably wasn't very good advice. They did sell me a Ph test kit however - which is on 7.2-7.4, it says the ideal is 7, but after reading the forums I'm not going to try and mess around with that.
Since logic told me bacteria was not going to grow unless it had something to eat (and at this stage I wasn't familiar with adding ammonia as per the fishless cycle) - I transferred a 2-3 inch goldfish I had that had been living in a large bowl for around 2 years into the big tank. I thought the cycling process was maybe going to make him sick but honestly he has never looked happier having all that space! I couldn't stand the thought of putting him back in the bowl so I am going to give him to a friend who has a large goldfish tank when I'm ready to stock. I know now this probably wasn't the greatest way of helping my tank cycle but its done now. Goldfish are pretty grotty so I think he's been producing a fair amount of muck for my bacteria... Obviously I can't provide you guys with any test parameters as the LFS didnt want to sell me a kit (I guess I had beginner stamped all over my face), but hopefully you guys can still help with my questions...
I'm planning to go back to the LFS in the next couple of days since the 3 weeks is now up to see if I can get some tropical fish to put in the tank. Before I go I was wondering whether I should do a water change and vacuum my gravel as I do so or not, as I've read that can reduce your bacteria and disturbing the gravel might mess things up too. The water is clear but when moving an ornament (felt a bit slimy, this is good, means its growing bacteria yes?) I noticed I disturbed a bit of dirty stuff on the bottom. Should I do this before or after getting my new fish, or leave the tank alone for longer? Some more questions -
Am I likely to be even close to fully cycled doing what I've done?
Am I right in thinking that since I've had the goldfish in there I will have to stock slowly since its only used to the bioload of the one goldfish? Unlike fishless cycling where you can fully stock almost immediately? How many fish would you guys recommend initially and how often/how many fish should I continue to add over time? I figured I'd start with something tough like a few platies..
Is the undergravel filter going to cut it on its own or should I get another form of mechanical filtration to help out?
Should I have the heater on anyway even though the water temp is up on its own?
And finally (I know the stocking question gets asked a million times on here) based on the list of fish I'm interested in above (obviously I can't have them all!), what would you guys recommend for a selection? Based on the 1' per gallon rule I'm guessing I can have somewhere around 18 inches of fish?
I know this is a massive post, but I would really appreciate any help you lovely experienced people could offer
Thankyou!
to TFF by the way. Oh, and a tank is cycled when ammonia and nitrite readings are at 0. You may have low levels (up to 30ppm) of nitrate at this point, but that's perfectly normal, especially in a tank with no live plants. If you are starting a new tank then please fishless cycle following the add & wait method from the link in my sig. This way you can prepare the tank before even adding fish and then fully stock once you fishless cycle has finished.
