Frst Time Tropical Fish Newbie

[Gilli]

Hello all

Im completely new to all this and have never kept tropical fish so im hoping that by joining this forum I can learn and get some tips from all you experts who kindly help out novices like me.

I have set up a 36 inch tank for tropical fish and am presently doing a fishless cycle. I have tried to read up on this but the internet is so confusing with many articles giving different advise! I have set the tank up with gravel and mostly silk plants but I have put 2 live ones in too as I read this is beneficial. I purchased a 'New aquarium start up kit' which contains 'fresh start' to dechlorinate the water and 'filter start' to add bacteria. I have also added a pinch of food once a week as I read this helps the bacteria grow. Temp is around 76 degrees and constant, and I have an undergravel filter system with air pump.

I set the tank up just over 3 weeks ago now but im worried that somethings not right. According to the start up kit I should have been able to add my starter fish by now but my Ph test is still the same as when I started at around 8.5 and nitrite at 1.5mg so I obviously have not purchased any fish yet as I dont want them to suffer. I know tanks can take up to 6 weeks to cycle but I would have thought I would start to see some difference by now?

It feels like I will never get there! Do I need to do a water change or anything else guys?

 

[seangee]

Hello all

Im completely new to all this and have never kept tropical fish so im hoping that by joining this forum I can learn and get some tips from all you experts who kindly help out novices like me.

I have set up a 36 inch tank for tropical fish and am presently doing a fishless cycle. I have tried to read up on this but the internet is so confusing with many articles giving different advise! I have set the tank up with gravel and mostly silk plants but I have put 2 live ones in too as I read this is beneficial. I purchased a 'New aquarium start up kit' which contains 'fresh start' to dechlorinate the water and 'filter start' to add bacteria. I have also added a pinch of food once a week as I read this helps the bacteria grow. Temp is around 76 degrees and constant, and I have an undergravel filter system with air pump.

I set the tank up just over 3 weeks ago now but im worried that somethings not right. According to the start up kit I should have been able to add my starter fish by now but my Ph test is still the same as when I started at around 8.5 and nitrite at 1.5mg so I obviously have not purchased any fish yet as I dont want them to suffer. I know tanks can take up to 6 weeks to cycle but I would have thought I would start to see some difference by now?

It feels like I will never get there! Do I need to do a water change or anything else guys?

Have you added ammonia? Look at the pinned articles on fishless cycling. If all you are doing is adding a pinch of food a week the tank won't be able to support much even when it is cycled. The beneficial bacteria need food (ammonia and nitrite) to survive. Don't worry too much about testing ph. 8.5 is a bit on the high side but most fish will adapt to this (check the requirement for whatever you buy. The main thing about ph is that it is relatively stable.

Welcome & good luck.

 

[Gilli]

Thanks for your answer. I didnt realize that I had to put ammonia in as the kit was supposed to be everything I needed to start up a new aquarium. Ive read on other sites I just need to add the food - so you are saying this is no good?

 

[Piltdownpaul]

Hi -keep adding the bacteria start-(when ever i set up my tanks i add the required dose daily and this gets the cycle going quicker) That has ammonia in it. as the food rots down it provides ammonia-i have never added food.

 

[Gilli]

Thank you for your advise - everything is so blooming confusing! Ive read on some sites that you need to add ammonia - others you dont. You say to add the filter start every day but the kit says not. Some sites are telling me I should be doing a water change when doing a fishless cycle - I dont know whether im coming or going and im beginning to wish id never started.

I now have some green algae growing on some of the rocks - should I remove this by scraping it off?

 

[Chrispixx]

If your going the ammonia route, make sure it is pure.. no additives, scents or surfactants etc. The label ingredients will read ammonia hydroxide, soft water thats all.

The algae could get worse, make sure the tank is not getting direct light from a window. if the tanks lights are causing it make sure they are not on to long.

 

[Queen oF The Gravel]

Hi There. Sorry to hear about your problem, hope i can help a little.

I Would'nt add food to your tank with out fish in it, the food will not be going anywhere an will therfor pollute your water. im quite suprised to hear you have alge growing after only 3weeks.... good advice you got earlier to ensure your tank is not near a window if you like plec, cat fish or loach however the alge growth can be kept down as them fish feed on it (advisable to leave tank for 6weeks befor getting them bottom dwelers(differnt sites will say leave for longer or less time) not everybody agrees with the time periods) as for ammonia thats some thing iv never added and never had any problems so far in your starter kit you should have everything you need to get started.

hope this helps

 

[Gilli]

Thank you very much for your reply. The tank is not in direct light at all and I haven't put the tank light on much as theres nothing to look at yet. I am reluctant to buy any algae eaters as I have a 3 D synthetic rock background in and have read that the constant sucking will take the colour off.

I wont put any more food in though and only did it as id read that you need to feed the bacteria, and am glad I dont have to add any ammonia. I was puzzled that it wasn't included in the start up kit if it was needed. Ive taken readings today and got these results:

PH = 8

Carbonate hardness = 6

General hardness = 14

Nitrite = 5 mg

Nitrate = 50 mg

so how am i doing and do you think it will be long until I can add my fish?

 

[Gilli]

Any more advise anyone?

 

[Gilli]

Think im nearly there with the fishless cycling! Tanks been going for 5 weeks now and Todays reading are

Temp 76

PH = 7.6

KH = 6

GH = 14

Nitrite = 0.3 mg/l

Nirate = 50 mg/l

Could someone please tell me if im right, and also should I be doing water changes even though there are no fish yet?

 

[Queen oF The Gravel]

They don't look like bad readings, you could do with getting fish that are tough and not too fussy about PH, Temp and hardness. Lots of fish are vey particular to the enviroment they live in, but many will just adapt to what u give them. i have 3danio's and i know that these fishare not fussy at all. they are good little fish to start out with and they are only about 80p each. zebra danio's might be the way to go if you like the look of them

 

[Gilli]

Thank you very much for the advise - I think I will start off with a few of these. Anyone like to advise what other types will be good to add in the future for a complete beginner. Obviously ones that are easy to keep until my knowledge grows!