Hello All - Newbie With Questions :)

[katykaye]

Hi

I have just decided to have a freshwater tropical tank after having goldfish for years (sadly now demised)

I set the tank up 9 days ago and it contains the following:

gravel
filter
heater
areated light
airstone
5 plants
and a decorative arch

The tank is 50 ltrs, is heated to 81/28 and the readings I took 1 hour ago are:

PH 8.0
GH 180
KH 240
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20

and now I am stuck

I am not sure what the reading should be or what to do to get them down.

We want to keep Mollys, Tetras and a pair of catfish.

Any help would be greatly recieved - we are dying to get fish but want everything to be right first - thanks in advance for your help.

Kaye

 

[*Fishkies*]

You'll need to cycle your tank firstly. Take a look at a few of the cycling links at the top of this section of the forum.

You will also want to purchase an ammonia kit. When your tank is cycled your ammonia and nitrite readings should be 0 (zero) and you should have a small reading for nitrate.

to the forum!

Good Luck!

 

[SJ2K]

As stated, first cycle then enjoy your fish with 50g to play with you'll be more then capable of housing some mollies, tetra and pair of catfish (depending on which catfish of course! Lol).

Hmmm, maybe not 2 of those lol

Good luck

 

[katykaye]

OMG @ that catfish!!!

Thanks for the welcome have been reading all the pinned stuff but sounds awfully complicated lol

look forward to swapping pics and tips

Kaye