Fluval Edge - Gravel Or Sand?

[daftdom]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently running my fishless cycle with my new Fluval Edge, never had a tropical fish tank before so it’s probably all going to go wrong! lol .

I have a question about Gravel or Sand with the Fluval Edge (and if i will have to cycle the tank again after putting the substrate in, there is nothing in at the moment). Having a read around I think the general consensus is that sand is better for the fish but is more difficult to clean (getting sucked up by cleaning tub thing), sand could get stuck in the filter and with the Edge the sand could dent at the front middle of tank (I think from the water movement).

FYI: I have the Fluval Edge bamboo ornament if that helps things.

I think sand looks a lot better than gravel but reading through the posts I could make my life a lot harder especially with me just starting out and so I should stick with gravel. What do you think?


Thanks,
Dom

 

[KittyKat]

100% down to personal preference. There is almost no difference at all. I have read the same about the filter, but if you have an ornament in the centre, that should solve the problem.

No, not need to re-cycle after substrate is added. Bacteria live in the filter, so substrate doesn't affect them.

 

[daftdom]

Thanks Kat,

Great! I'm going to take some water for testing to the local fish store to have it tested and see how the cycling is going.
Come on tank.... i want fish!!!


Regards,
Dom

 

[KittyKat]

Hurm.. how are you doing a fish-less cycle without your own set of liquid tests?

 

[Aqua Tom]

Hurm.. how are you doing a fish-less cycle without your own set of liquid tests?

+1

Are you adding ammonia? If so how do you tell the concentration in your tank?


A~T

 

[daftdom]

Hello,

I was following the instructions which came with the bottle of cycle fluid stuff but after having another read on is cycle thing I think I need to get a testing kit. Doh!
I think I have another problem though as my edge heater doesn't seem to be heating up the water! I was looking at the temp sticker on the side of the tank but i think it might be giving the temp of the outside of the glass.

Does anyone know what temp the edge heater should make the water please?
I've got the heater in a tub of water now to see if that heats up.

I think I'm going to have to start from the beginning again with a testing kit.


Oh dear,
Dom

 

[Aqua Tom]

Welcome Dom, kudos on you for being able to admit a mistake.

For a fishless cycle you will need.


Some water treatment like seachem prime.

A bottle of ammonia (see my sig for a link).

A liquid testing kit. We all seem to use the API Master Test Kit. £20 from ebay but an awfull lot more elsewhere.

Your heater should be set to about 89f or 30ish c. Those stick on thermometers are not a lot of good. Get yourself an old fashioned liquid thermometer, about £2 from your LFS. Very accurate.

Click on the link in my sig to the beginners resource center & have a good read up about cycling.

once again, welcome to our fishy world.

A~T

 

[daftdom]

Thanks so much Tom,

Will do

I'll post back and let you know how I'm doing


Regards,
Dom

 

[KittyKat]

Hello,

I was following the instructions which came with the bottle of cycle fluid stuff but after having another read on is cycle thing I think I need to get a testing kit. Doh!
I think I have another problem though as my edge heater doesn't seem to be heating up the water! I was looking at the temp sticker on the side of the tank but i think it might be giving the temp of the outside of the glass.

Does anyone know what temp the edge heater should make the water please?
I've got the heater in a tub of water now to see if that heats up.

I think I'm going to have to start from the beginning again with a testing kit.


Oh dear,
Dom

Don't feel too down! Most of us started in much worse situations that you are in now.. do have a look at the media donors list in this forum to see if any one will help you seed your filter to speed up the process. A fish-less cycle is a very educational process and is the most fish-friendly one I know of

 

[daftdom]

Thanks Kat ordered my testing kit, etc. Hopefully they'll come soon!

 

[daftdom]

Just been to pets at home to get some sand, thermometer and water treatment and the women says "oh no you shouldnt do that fishless cycle thing, just put some tap treatment in water before you put water in then leave it two weeks" lol I don't think I'll be going there again.

 

[KittyKat]

Just been to pets at home to get some sand, thermometer and water treatment and the women says "oh no you shouldnt do that fishless cycle thing, just put some tap treatment in water before you put water in then leave it two weeks" lol I don't think I'll be going there again.

*hulk moment*

 

[daftdom]

Lol exactly!