First Aquarium: My Details

[Neoburner]

Hello all

I came across this site on a google search and already ive learnt more than i thought.

I took the plunge and went and bought my first tank! Following the guide in the box its all up and running, filter is in, heater is heating and its bang on 24 degrees! I think i am going to go for the fishless cycle approach, the guy in the shop said to do all this, go back in a week, they do the test and i can get my fish! Reading up a bit more it seems i dont want to do that, i would rather make sure my tank/filter is fully matured before attempting putting fish in it (moral reasons for me).

I will post about my setup tomorrow in more detail so you guys can help me (would be great).

waterdrop has already gave me some advice which is fantastic, i hope i dont cave you all with questions but i do want to make sure its all up and ok before i introduce my fishies!!

My Setup so far:

Tank: Interpet Fish Box 48L
Filter: Interpet Internal Power Filter + Sponges
Heater: Interpet Deltatherm Heater
Fish: No Fish

Pictures:

Ben

 

[Tortea]

What fish are you thinking off?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yes for sure, do a fishless cycle! A fish-in cycle is not that fun.

-FHM

 

[arobinson1984]

Welcome to the forum Ben.

Good to see you have found some of the masses of information available on this forum both in threads and via the many experienced members such as waterdrop.

I agree that a fishless cycle is definately the way to go, much much easier for yourself saving the hasle of daily water changes, and of course much better for the fish.

What sort of fish were you thinking? Any particular theme? The time during the cycling period is a great time to do some research on the types of fish you want, stocking levels as well as the design of your tank.

I'm guessing you've read the fishless cycling thread? If not, it is linked in my signature.

If you have any question, dont be afraid to ask, there are many members willing to help answer any queries or problems you may come across.

Andy

 

[Neoburner]

Thanks guys, i have added a few things to my main post for my setup. Not too sure on what fish as of yet, i suppose as im going for a fishless cycle i am open to more choice as Hardy are not needed right away.

So far the tank is setup, water filled, heater + filter are in and on. Temp is 24 degrees, added the tap safe in the water, altho on the instructions it gave me guide lines of what amount, worked out to be a inner cap sull and half. Maybe it dont need alot in there to dechl??

At the moment it has gone cloudy but i think it seems to be getting a little better! The guy in the shop did say to take a sample in a week and then buy some fish (Hardy ones im sure). But i think i want to do it my own way to start!

No ammonia or anything has gone in just yet, they did supply some Interpet Filter Start which must contain some ammonia as it says to add it to start the cycle off, but 7 days wont be long enough will it???

Will add some pics to main post too

Ben

 

[Curiosity101]

There is a very very very small chance of your tank cycling in 1 week.

It's more likely to be anywhere from 6-8 weeks to cycle.

I'd ignore the fish shop worker if I were you, it seems he doesn't understand the theory of fishless cycling.

 

[Neoburner]

Thats what i thought... so i guess my next step is getting some pure ammonia and starting the cycle process, i got a test kit today, it is tablet form but i guess will have to do for now.

But i dont want to start it until the cloud is gone, it appeared about 48 hours after the tank has been on, will it soon go back to clear?

Ben

 

[Curiosity101]

I think you were right when you thought there was some ammonia in the filter start. Chances are this has led to a bacterial bloom which will clear.

But yep, just grab yourself some ammonia and get going. Sooner you start the sooner it's finished. Also if you can scrounge some mature media from someone then that would help.

 

[Neoburner]

First thing tomorrow morning ill nip out and try to locate some! Reading the label on it too, just water and ammo

Added photo of my first tank

Ben

 

[waterdrop]

We watch sometimes dozens of fishless cycles here each month, chatting back and forth with the hobbyists about the details in posts in their threads. I've seen lots and lots of fishless cycles that take 70 days but virtually never one that took 7 days (noting that I'm not labeling a full transfer of mature media from an old filter to be a fishless cycle in this description.)

Most fish shop workers are clueless about true "real" fishless cycling, as Curiosity says, they simply clue in on the word fishless and guess that it means a tank of water without fish and of course that misses the whole point. Often they are quite focused on the sale total that will ring this particular time before you go out the door or may be savvy enough to realize that fish sales to tanks in their first two months often result in repeat sales to replace the fish that are killed by the biofilter not yet working.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Neoburner]

water: I did get the impression it was more about the sale, on the day i knew nothing about it at all, so it seemed very helpful, but he pointed out certain fish which are good for me to take in 7 days time. Now reading up he was pointing out Hardy fish (guppies, neons etc), thus i think it was more for the fish-in cycle and not anything about fishless... am i right there?

Ben

 

[fatheadminnow]

water: I did get the impression it was more about the sale, on the day i knew nothing about it at all, so it seemed very helpful, but he pointed out certain fish which are good for me to take in 7 days time. Now reading up he was pointing out Hardy fish (guppies, neons etc), thus i think it was more for the fish-in cycle and not anything about fishless... am i right there?

Ben

Yes, if you followed your LFS advice you would be up to your neck in a fish-in cycle. LFS just want to move products to get money from you! The faster and more they can do it, the more profit they make.

The cloudy water is called a bacteria bloom, and is not caused by ammonia. When you added the dechlor, it made the water instantly safe to support life, such as bacteria, in which the the heterotrophic bacteria in the water went to work quickly on the organics in the water. So, the cloudy water is actually millions of bacteria feeding on the organics in the water. Don't worry though, as they should soon die off and the water will clear in a couple days.

Also, the Interpet Filter Start is no good and will not help your tank cycle. If I were you I would get rid of it.

I am also guessing you have an interpet test kit? Considering you said the kit uses tabs to measure toxins in the water. I have found that these are no good either, or not as accurate as a liquid test kit. Try to get a liquid test kit.

-FHM

 

[Neoburner]

£12.99 down the drain lol... ill have a hunt tomorrow for the 'API Fresh Water Master Test Kit' must be one around UK somewhere lol.. dying to get some ammo in there and start this all off now! Off to boots tomorrow as that seems the place for it

Thanks!!

Ben

 

[fatheadminnow]

API test kit, must be liquid, or the Nutrafin is another good one along with Salifert test kits.

-FHM

 

[drobbyb]

I think people in the UK get one from ebay.

Some real good advice in the previous posts. You are in the best place you possibly can be for setting up a new tank and asking questions. TFF is a great resource.