Getting my tank started

[PhantomCarp]

I will be getting a new tank soon, it will be a 10 gallon or a 20 gallon if I can convince my family to let me get the 20. I will try to get it tomorrow and will step by step set it up for the cycle.
Ph: 6.8
Gh: 20-40ppm
If I get a 20 I will do a small planted community and if I get the 10 I will do a betta. Will update this thread along the way looking for help and tips. Anything anyone thinks i should know?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Awesome!

Don’t rush the tank. Some people impulse buy things at LFS’s, thinking “Oh, I need this for my tank” but never actually use it. I get that some people like supporting their LFS, but most LFS’s overprice their stock, so they can make money.

Try looking on amazon for food, and such. And try looking on Craigslist for used tanks.

 

[PhantomCarp]

Awesome!

Don’t rush the tank. Some people impulse buy things at LFS’s, thinking “Oh, I need this for my tank” but never actually use it. I get that some people like supporting their LFS, but most LFS’s overprice their stock, so they can make money.

Try looking on amazon for food, and such. And try looking on Craigslist for used tanks.

Lfs is having there own version of a doller per gallon sale so don’t have to worry about tank. Will look at food on amazon. Not trying to impulse buy I have been trying to get this tank around a year ago and finally got the okay so I am a little exited.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Very good! The $ per gallon sale is an excellent thing. That’s how I got my 29g tank.

 

[CassCats]

hey even if you get the 10 gallon, you have community options!

An example:

2 sparkling gourami (try for a pair, not 2 males)
6-10 microrasboras
10 pygmy corydoras


Sparklers make for interesting, fiery little fish, a bit betta like but a little easier with community set ups.

But lots of plants are good for these fish to feel more comfortable

 

[PhantomCarp]

hey even if you get the 10 gallon, you have community options!

An example:

2 sparkling gourami (try for a pair, not 2 males)
6-10 microrasboras
10 pygmy corydoras


Sparklers make for interesting, fiery little fish, a bit betta like but a little easier with community set ups.

But lots of plants are good for these fish to feel more comfortable

That sounds good I’ll think about that more. Would I be able to do hasbrosus cories instead or are they to large?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

They will grow to large. It is recommended to keep them in a tank with a base dimension on 60cm x 30cm.

Corydoras habrosus – Salt and Pepper Cory — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Dwarf Cories are really cute.

 

[CassCats]

That sounds good I’ll think about that more. Would I be able to do hasbrosus cories instead or are they to large?

IMO theyd be fine as theyre one of the smaller dwarf species.

Dwarf species common in hobby:
Corydoras pygmaeus
Corydoras hastatus
Corydoras habrosus

 

[AbbeysDad]

Here are some tips:
Cycling a New Aquarium
Beginners Guide to Fishkeeping
Aquarium Filters

 

[PhantomCarp]

Okay update time, I bought a 10 gallon, a lid, a filter, api master test kit, water decloranator, and pellets.(will be here in like 2 weeks) Am I missing anything to start the cycle? I have more things on my list to but like a light, heater, plants, etc. but for now this is all I have.(will use pool filter sand because there already is some at my house) any one know where to get live plants for cheap online?

 

[Essjay]

Are you intending to do a fishless cycle or a plant cycle?

For fishless, you need ammonia. For a plant cycle you need plants and plant fertiliser.

 

[PhantomCarp]

Are you intending to do a fishless cycle or a plant cycle?

For fishless, you need ammonia. For a plant cycle you need plants and plant fertiliser.

A fishless cycle. I have heard that you can use pellets and flakes as an ammonia source is this true?

 

[Essjay]

You can but it is not as good as using ammonia.
With food it has to decompose to make ammonia and you can't know how many ppm it makes. So at the end of the cycle you don't know if there are enough bacteria for a fully stocked tank, a half stocked tank, a quarter stocked tank or whatever. So you have to add fish slowly and only get the next batch once you are sure ammonia and nitrite are staying at zero.
With ammonia, if you use 3 ppm doses you know that at the end there are enough bacteria for a fully stocked tank.

But you mention plants - when you get the plants you just need to wait until the plants are actively growing then add fish a few a time, amking sure there's no ammonia or nitrite before getting the next batch.

 

[PhantomCarp]

You can but it is not as good as using ammonia.
With food it has to decompose to make ammonia and you can't know how many ppm it makes. So at the end of the cycle you don't know if there are enough bacteria for a fully stocked tank, a half stocked tank, a quarter stocked tank or whatever. So you have to add fish slowly and only get the next batch once you are sure ammonia and nitrite are staying at zero.
With ammonia, if you use 3 ppm doses you know that at the end there are enough bacteria for a fully stocked tank.

But you mention plants - when you get the plants you just need to wait until the plants are actively growing then add fish a few a time, amking sure there's no ammonia or nitrite before getting the next batch.

Thank you for the information I will try to get some ammonia.

 

[Essjay]

You can use food if you prefer, I just wanted to warn you that you have to be careful not to add fish too quickly. That's the real reason most people go for using ammonia.