Hi All

[Carlo8719]

Hi all

Just started a fish tank about a week n alf ago but I'm having trouble...
I currently have tetras and harliquens wat are the best plants for them I have a 35 liter tank
Also what's the best way to clean the gravel.
Thanks in advance

 

[ZoddyZod]

Welcome to the forum!

Did you 'cycle' your new tank before you put fish in? If not, have a look in the beginners section and read all the info on cycling, then come back if you have any questions.

 

[Carlo8719]

Yeah I left it 3 days before I added fish

 

[ZoddyZod]

Yeah I left it 3 days before I added fish

sorry, but that does not mean that your tank/filter is cycled.

Your fish produce ammonia as waste (from excretion and breathing), this is toxic to fish and is why you have a filter in your tank. The filter works by being a home for bacteria that 'eats' ammonia and converts it to nitrite - another harmful chemical. This is also eaten by bacteria in your filter and changed to relatively harmless nitrate - we then remove the nitrate during regular water changes.

Your filter will have very little (if any) of the correct bacteria for managing your fishes waste. It takes time to build up a suitable colony to cope with it. Right now your fish are likely to be swimming in their own waste and that can be very damaging, and often deadly to them.

Have a read in the beginners section on the 'fish-in cycle', as that is now what you are doing. Once you've done that, post back here with any questions you may have and we can help you through the process.

 

[XeroTolerance]

to the forums! I'm glad that you found this site because it is one of the best you'll ever find. If you need help go to the beginners section of the forums. Also make sure to check out this link. It will show you how to cycle your tank the best and fastest way possible, fishless. I hope that you feel welcomed. Also don't forget to ask alot of questions, after all that's what we're here for.

For the method I'm doing the add and wait, because I feel it is the best method for me.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/

 

[Carlo8719]

Thanx for the advice

 

[colleen0309]

Sorry, but Zoddyzod is absolutely correct. Please read the fish in cycle section. If you don't have a water test kit, you will need one. A liquid kit is best (I use API Master Test Kit). If you don't have one yet, I would do 50% waster changes every day until you get one or if you have one, do the water changes if you get readings for ammonia or nitrite above 0. Welcome to the forum!