Haven't Got A Clue....please Help

[Bigavo86]

Last week my boyfriend was given a 34litre tank, we went to the pet shop for advice and was told to buy some tap safe and some food to promote good bacteria in the tank, give it a week or so to try a fish in there,

From reading a few topics on this forum, I don't need the food atall,, I should of got some ammonia is that right?

I'm about to go and buy a heater for it, is there anything else I need to get? I've read the beginners post but I'm still not making heads or tales of it so can anyone help me please

Thanks in advance

 

[KrystaK]

If you're planning to buy ammonia to help start the tank then get a test kit while your there. Liquid test kits are the best (such as API Fresh water master kit) But test strips, like one would use in a pool are also available, they're much cheaper, but not as accurate. You will require one that reads Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrate.
 
You already have a dechlorinator so that's good, and a heater is good. Get a thermometer as well (so that way you know the temperature of the tank. I've had heaters malfunction and heat the tank to 90 F and I would have had no idea if not for the thermometer.) 
 
That's all I can think of the top of my head... Anyone else have suggestions?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Getting a hold of proper ammonia can be tough in the UK.  The fish food method is actually a rather 'old school' method, but it works!  Nice that you found an LFS that's actually suggesting a version of a fishless cycle.  A week isn't enough for it to fully cycle, but its a start. 
 
 
 
Krystal got most of the stuff.  Just watch out for perfumes, surfactants, etc. in the ammonia.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Flake fish food is a poor choice. It often doesn't have enough of the best ammonia producing ingredients. Use a piece of shrimp.
 
I have never agreed with the idea of producing ammonia by having food rot in a tank. Its messy, nasty looking and there usually should be another option. And I thought old school was cycling with fish?
 
I wonder if there is still someplace in the UK to buy Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride? daize might know.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Her supplier went out of business.

 And I thought old school was cycling with fish?
 
I wonder if there is still someplace in the UK to buy Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride? daize might know.

 
"old school" fishless cycling...  "Old OLD school" is cycling with fish.

 

[Sanjay]

Hi there.

I got kleenoff ammonia from amazon on the net and used that successfully to do a fishless cycle of my tank.

I was ill advised by my lfs and wish i hadnt gone to that particular one as i lost 6 fish as they told me my tank would be ready after 3/4 days of setting it up

But now i am totally cycled after a good few weeks thanks to the great advice i have been given by the members on this forum!!

I also invested in an API freshwater master test kit and you will need this for sure!!

 

[daveg6529]

What type/make of filter came with the tank?
The better the flow the more circulation throughout the tank.
You will experience cloudiness for a few days. Its also a good idea to put a piece of bog wood in the tank (but soak it for a few days first to remove some most of the nasty chemicals).