Hi From Newbie In Australia

[Jed67]

Hi there
I am new to the Tropical Fish adventure and are just about to purchase my first aquarium.
I live in Australia have found this forum site very interesting reading.

I have a quick question that i guess has been asked heaps before.

How long should i wait to put in my fish after setting up the tank?
and what should i check for before i add the fish.

I have never kept fish before so any help is welcomed

Thanks
Jed

 

[voo]

Firstly you will need to cycle the filter, see here:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

It will tell you all about cycling. Adding ammonia so that the filter builds up with beneficial bateria.

Do you know about the ammonia cycle? Ammonia -> Nitrite -> nitrate ?

Once the cycle has finished, usually after 2-3 weeks, sometimes longer, then you can add your fish.

Good luck

 

[kowgirl_kate]

Hi and welcome.
What part of Aus are you in? I'm in Tas!

 

[timmystood]

Hi Jed and welcome

Like Voo said, you need to 'cycle' your filter before adding any fish. This simply means you need to let 'friendly bacteria' build up and breed in your filter. These bacteria eat Ammonia, NitrIte and NitrAte which occur when fish waste breaks down, they are deadly to fish so letting this bacteria grow is vital. Read the link that Voo gave you about cycling your filter, it will explain what you need to do and why your doing it.
Always remember to add fish slowly, don't add too many fish in one go otherwise the friendly bacteria in your filter won't be able to cope with all the added fish waste! Also, prepare to get addicted to fish!!

Hope this helps
timmystood

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

G'Day mate !! and welcome

 

[dwarfgourami]

Always remember to add fish slowly, don't add too many fish in one go otherwise the friendly bacteria in your filter won't be able to cope with all the added fish waste! Also, prepare to get addicted to fish!!

timmystood, if you do a fishless cycle you are supposed to add most fish in one go- otherwise that carefully nurtured colony of bacteria will start dying down. That is the point of the fishless cycle- you build up enough bacteria to cope with the whole tankload. Of course, there may still be reasons why you can't or don't want to add the whole lot- for instance, if some of the fish you have planned need a mature tank.
Personally, I have added about 1/2 to 2/3 of full tankload in my fishless tanks and done well from that. But then it is absolutely necessary to do the ammonia-adding and careful testing first, as described in the link. Just letting the tank sit won't do a thing for it.

 

[timmystood]

Always remember to add fish slowly, don't add too many fish in one go otherwise the friendly bacteria in your filter won't be able to cope with all the added fish waste! Also, prepare to get addicted to fish!!

timmystood, if you do a fishless cycle you are supposed to add most fish in one go- otherwise that carefully nurtured colony of bacteria will start dying down. That is the point of the fishless cycle- you build up enough bacteria to cope with the whole tankload. Of course, there may still be reasons why you can't or don't want to add the whole lot- for instance, if some of the fish you have planned need a mature tank.
Personally, I have added about 1/2 to 2/3 of full tankload in my fishless tanks and done well from that. But then it is absolutely necessary to do the ammonia-adding and careful testing first, as described in the link. Just letting the tank sit won't do a thing for it.

Good point - I missed the logic! Forget what I said Jed!

 

[Jed67]

Hi and welcome.
What part of Aus are you in? I'm in Tas!

Hi there Kowgirl_Kate
I am in North West Vic
Thanks for all the replies This is a whole new experiance and i am looking forward to starting my project in 7 days
Jed

 

[Kuhni]

I wish there were some west aussies at this forum. But I think I'm the only one