Help Please

[Glensmole]

Hello everyone
 
I'm a newbie, so please bear with me.
 
I have been given a used Aquael 20 nano tank with filter, light and heater included.  The lovely people who gave it to me simply said add gravel (washed well) and water (tap) add the filter and heater, switch on and leave for a week to cycle before adding fish.
 
I did this and after a day the water went cloudy.  Now I've found your fantastic forum and think I understand what's going on with the cloudy water.
 
However, can you please answer a couple of questions.
 
As the filter (pre newer box that hangs over the back of the tank.  Mine is the older submerged type) is used, should I replace it?  What sort shoud I go with?
 
What about the heater?
 
I'm going for tropical fish, so should the water be saltwater? If so how would I go about this.....maybe not add table salt!!!!
 
Live rock....should I use it?
 
What about plants/coral?  Should these be put in before the fishless cycle?
 
What temperature should the water be for tropical fish?
 
I've seen an API Fish Care Pack with stress coat and stress zyme.  Do I need these?
 
I thank you in advance.  Thank you for being patient with me.

 

[Emeraldjones]

Hi 
I'm new to the hobby myself but I would definitely go with freshwater tropical fish rather than saltwater. I think its a bit out of our league! So all you would need to add to your tap water is dechlorinator. Live rock isnt necessary then either. I put my plants and decor in before i started cycling with the thought that the more surfaces for good bacteria, the better!  Is your tank 20 litres? Theres an excellent thread in the nano tank section as to what is suitable for nano tanks.
 
All I bought to begin with is the API freshwater master test kit (essential to know where you are in the cycle) and a bottle of dechlorinator (also essential). I think stress coat can be good for sick or injured fish but you can buy that if and when you need it. Have you read the pinned thread on fishless cycling? If not definitely do, its really helpful. Sorry I cant answer all your q's. Good luck!

 

[Ninjouzata]

Hello!
That was very nice of whoever gave you the tank. I take it that the 20 means 20 liters? If so, and if you go freshwater, this may be helpful for deciding on what to stock your tank with: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/
 
If you do decide on something from that list, make sure you do your research on it. Some of it is negotiable, imo.
 
I don't know much about internal filters, I know there are ones that just sort of sit on the inside, and others that go under the gravel. Which of these do you have, if you know?
If it's under gravel you may want to consider replacing it. I've heard different opinions on if they're good or not, but I'd replace it just because it limits you to just gravel. Sand looks great and a lot of fish prefer/need it.
 
Heaters are required for tropical tanks, so that's good. It'd be great if you could figure out the brands of the accessories the tank came with.
 
Tropical refers to the temperature, so there are tropical freshwater as well as tropical saltwater.
Do you want fresh water or salt water?
 
You can put the plants in during your fishless cycle, but if you do this don't take them out afterwards as they do take in ammonia and so by taking them out and fully stocking the tank, you'd cause a mini-cycle.
 
I had to google the care pack, the stress coat is dechlorinator it sounds like, and the stress zyme sounds like bottled bacteria. Most of the bottled bacteria products don't work.
I would go with something else, Prime is a very popular dechlorinator around here.

 

[fm1978]

Hi and welcome to the forum!
 
First of all, you really need to be clear about what you want to do with your nano tank. It is advertised as a Nano Reef tank but this would be a very difficult place to start for a beginner, in my opinion - please don't be offended by that.
 
I'd suggest, before you do anything else, that you read the excellent guide on Cycling your tank on this very forum...
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
It's a hell of a lot to take in at first and I'd say a couple of reads would be best. You'll find yourself, as time goes by, coming back to it and understanding it more and more, which is good.
 
You'll soon discover that it will take a great deal longer than a week (if done properly) to cycle your tank. 
 
I'll try to answer your questions one at a time...
 
As the filter (pre newer box that hangs over the back of the tank.  Mine is the older submerged type) is used, should I replace it?  What sort shoud I go with? If the filter is in good working order, there shouldn't be any reason to replace it. Just make sure that you have the correct media inside the filter - sponges, carbon, ceramic - whatever type it came with initially.
 
What about the heater? This is a must for any tropical setup, freshwater or saltwater.
 
I'm going for tropical fish, so should the water be saltwater? If so how would I go about this.....maybe not add table salt!!!! I'd suggest you begin with freshwater tropical. Yes, that's different than saltwater tropical but as you are a beginner it should be much easier to manage.
 
Live rock....should I use it? What about plants/coral? Should these be put in before the fishless cycle? Live rock and corals are only suitable for a saltwater setup so you can forget about them for the meantime...provided you decide on a freshwater. Live plants, on the other hand, are a good idea, yes!
 
What temperature should the water be for tropical fish? Different fish/invertebrates like different temps, however, if you start with anywhere from 24 - 26 degrees, you'll be fine, for now.
 
I've seen an API Fish Care Pack with stress coat and stress zyme. Do I need these? You don't 'need' both of these, but you do need a water treatment to get rid of chlorine/chloromines and heavy metals. The API versions of this will be just fine.
 
I noticed you haven't mentioned the addition of any water treatments so far, so that's an absolute must! Also a testing kit is a definite, again the API Master kit is a good place to start!

 

[Glensmole]

Hi 
I'm new to the hobby myself but I would definitely go with freshwater tropical fish rather than saltwater. I think its a bit out of our league! So all you would need to add to your tap water is dechlorinator. Live rock isnt necessary then either. I put my plants and decor in before i started cycling with the thought that the more surfaces for good bacteria, the better!  Is your tank 20 litres? Theres an excellent thread in the nano tank section as to what is suitable for nano tanks.
 
All I bought to begin with is the API freshwater master test kit (essential to know where you are in the cycle) and a bottle of dechlorinator (also essential). I think stress coat can be good for sick or injured fish but you can buy that if and when you need it. Have you read the pinned thread on fishless cycling? If not definitely do, its really helpful. Sorry I cant answer all your q's. Good luck!

Thank you for your prompt repy.  I'm going to have a good read of all your comments and suggestions.  You  are ace.  Thanks so much.  I'll let you know how I get on.
Sorry, first time I've used a forum.  I think I replied in the wrong place.  Anyway thanks everyone for all your help.  I'll let you know how I get on.  Cheers

 

[Glensmole]

Hello!
That was very nice of whoever gave you the tank. I take it that the 20 means 20 liters? If so, and if you go freshwater, this may be helpful for deciding on what to stock your tank with: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/418749-nano-fish/
 
If you do decide on something from that list, make sure you do your research on it. Some of it is negotiable, imo.
 
I don't know much about internal filters, I know there are ones that just sort of sit on the inside, and others that go under the gravel. Which of these do you have, if you know?
If it's under gravel you may want to consider replacing it. I've heard different opinions on if they're good or not, but I'd replace it just because it limits you to just gravel. Sand looks great and a lot of fish prefer/need it.
 
Heaters are required for tropical tanks, so that's good. It'd be great if you could figure out the brands of the accessories the tank came with.
 
Tropical refers to the temperature, so there are tropical freshwater as well as tropical saltwater.
Do you want fresh water or salt water?
 
You can put the plants in during your fishless cycle, but if you do this don't take them out afterwards as they do take in ammonia and so by taking them out and fully stocking the tank, you'd cause a mini-cycle.
 
I had to google the care pack, the stress coat is dechlorinator it sounds like, and the stress zyme sounds like bottled bacteria. Most of the bottled bacteria products don't work.
I would go with something else, Prime is a very popular dechlorinator around here.

Thanks so much for this.  I will look at the fish list soon.
 
The filter is the one you stick to the side of the tank with the filter "sponge" (if that's the right terminology!) hanging underneath the unit.  There's a spout proturding from the front of the unit, where a jet of (I suppose filtered) water comes out.  Both the filter and heater are labled Aquael.
 
I tend to agree with EmeraldJones that as a newbie, freshwater tropical is the way to go.
 
Great, I'll look at Prime.
 
I've already put some fine gravel in the tank (did so at the start, before really looking into this!).  Should I start again and use sand as you suggested?  Also I've seen live sand, is this preferable?
 
Thanks

 

[DrRob]

Hi, and welcome.
 
As has been suggested, the most important thing is to decide what direction you want this tank to take, once you've decided that everything else will then follow. As you've already noticed, freshwater tropical is far simpler to get to grips with than marine and is what I'd recommend, but it's entirely up to you.
 
What you have as a filter is known as a HOB (Hang On the Back) filter, very popular in the USA and less used in the UK, where people tend to move over to external canisters very quickly. Nothing wrong with them though and several things right with them.
 
Please ignore most of the advice they give about changing sponges, they want to sell you new sponges and they last pretty much for ever.
 
Do have a read of the cycling and nano fish articles, they're great resources, and then maybe start up a journal, it's a great way to get advice on what you're doing, plus it's a great way of sharing ideas.

 

[Glensmole]

Does anyone think I should start again?  Before I joined this forum, I filled up the tank with tap water, but didn't do the decloranisation.  Can this be added now?

 

[DrRob]

You can add the dechlorinator now, certainly. Have a read of the cycling articles then.

 

[Glensmole]

You can add the dechlorinator now, certainly. Have a read of the cycling articles then.

Thanks DrRob.  Will do. 

 

[Ninjouzata]

It's up to you if you'd like to change the fine gravel out, if you like it then keep it!
Now that I think of it most of the stuff that could go in your tank won't mind either way, that I know of.
The only thing I can think of that might would be a dwarf puffer but not sure if that is beginner friendly or not.
I think live sand is for saltwater tanks? 

 

[Glensmole]

It's up to you if you'd like to change the fine gravel out, if you like it then keep it!

Now that I think of it most of the stuff that could go in your tank won't mind either way, that I know of.
The only thing I can think of that might would be a dwarf puffer but not sure if that is beginner friendly or not.
I think live sand is for saltwater tanks? 

Thanks Ninjouzata. Yeah was thinking of the standard newbie user fish.  Maybe tetras or something small and hardy. Just to start off. Even started talking to my 6 year old son about using the Aquael as a holding tank (eventually) and getting a bigger tank as he wants Clownfish.....Yeah Nemo!! 

 

[Meeresstille]

Nemo

is a saltwater fish!
 
If you get a bigger tank and want to stick with freshwater a really cool fish that kids here call "sock fish" because it kind of looks like a sock is the Kuhli Loach. The bigger the group and the more plants and hiding places in the tank the more secure they feel and will come out even during day time!
 
Here's an older picture of one of my Kuhli Loaches, they've since moved into a much bigger tank!

 

[Glensmole]

Nemo

is a saltwater fish!
 
If you get a bigger tank and want to stick with freshwater a really cool fish that kids here call "sock fish" because it kind of looks like a sock is the Kuhli Loach. The bigger the group and the more plants and hiding places in the tank the more secure they feel and will come out even during day time!
 
Here's an older picture of one of my Kuhli Loaches, they've since moved into a much bigger tank!

Kuhli friend.jpg

Ooops, my bad! Thanks for the info. Wow yeah that looks great and yeah I'm sticking to freshwater for the time being. Ooooh I'm getting excited!

 

Nemo

is a saltwater fish!
 
If you get a bigger tank and want to stick with freshwater a really cool fish that kids here call "sock fish" because it kind of looks like a sock is the Kuhli Loach. The bigger the group and the more plants and hiding places in the tank the more secure they feel and will come out even during day time!
 
Here's an older picture of one of my Kuhli Loaches, they've since moved into a much bigger tank!

Kuhli friend.jpg

Ooops, my bad! Thanks for the info. Wow yeah that looks great and yeah I'm sticking to freshwater for the time being. Ooooh I'm getting excited!

 

When you set up, did you put your plants and wood in before your fishless cycle or just before the fish?

 

[Meeresstille]

I ended up doing a fish-in cycle because I did not know better and I was getting a Betta second hand. He came with a tiny little Betta tank and I meant well and set up a 10 gallon for him! 
It was a lot of work doing all those water changes every day, but he lived to be 3 years old, so we were lucky!
 
Plants don't like Ammonia very well, so it is best to wait until your tank is cycled. Especially if you're doing the fish-less cycle, because the Ammonia levels get quite high.
 
If you like bogwood (driftwood) you could purchase one now though and start soaking it! It takes a few weeks for it to stop leaching colour (tannin) into the water, and for it to get bogged up with water so it will stay down! 
 
If you have a container you could keep plants in you could place them in there as a sort of quarantine for a couple of weeks before your tank is cycled! Pond snails can become quite a pest in a tank, and they love to hitch-hike on new plants! Just make sure to change the water now and then!

Oh, just to explain the plants in the big tank: we kept upgrading the tanks and transferring filter media over, so I never really had to cycle a tank again!