Hi, Newbie

[oskar]

hello all,
i have just bought my 7year old son his first fish tank for his birthday. i gave him the choice of a new bike, lego and numerous toys but all he wanted was a fish tank.
i know nothing about keeping fish so will be on here quite often reading the posts and gaining some knowledge.

i bought a 24litre starter tank and filter from pets at home. I set the tank up last week as instructions from the shop. added the tap safe and heater.
had the cloudy water for a few days now and its just starting to clear. i was planning on adding the plants and fish this week but after reading the first few posts on here maybe rethink my plan.

i need to understand this cycling bussiness and when i can introduce the fish. also what other equipment i need and then explain this to my son, i am sure he wont be to upset having to wait as he is quite understanding.

anyway i'm looking forward reading the forum, picking up some knowledge and asking some questions along the way.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[MBOU]

Welcome to the forum! And congratulations on your hopefully soon to be new additions

Its great that you got a heater and are considering tropical fish rather than goldfish which would get way to big for that tank even as babies.

Just bear in mind to look round other fish shops too, being such a small tank you are going to be limited in which fish you can put in there and the shop will need to have a big choice of tiny fish or you wont get much of a choice.

Something like a Siamese fighter and some shrimp or microrasbora would be nice!

Shrimp are a great idea as the live at the bottom and scurry about cleaning up left over food... you could also put in a Zebra Snail (or the spotted verson of the Zebra Snail!).

Then a fighter or a honey gourami as a center piece fish and a couple of teeny tiny microrasbora if you are lucky

Or instead of honey gourami or fighter you can go for sparkling gouramis or a trio of different coloured guppies or something

Just remember not to overstock and dont rush out to buy fish without shopping around because the tank isnt big enough for too many!

Also, knowing the sort of filter you might have ended up with, it might be worth upgrading the filter at some point

Have fun!

 

[oskar]

Thanks for the welcome crazyforcordoras.
Mbou, great advice. I had already figured the filter was not much good after reading a few posts on here. Its whirring away like a washing machine. What model would you recommend and would it be better to change now before adding the plants and fish?

 

[MBOU]

I would add a new filter now! changing filter might muck up the cycle a little but if you put the sponge from old filter into new filter, it shouldnt cause any changes

Rattling is generally down to vibration, all filters vibrate as they have the little impeller whirling away and filter against glass = noise. The better quality filter... the quieter sound is likely to be. Definately avoid Interpet PF filters... noise beasts they are

Personally... I think the Hagen U1 might be a little too big and chunky for what you need, will take up most the tank.

I really like the Superfish Aqua100 filters, the Aqua50 would be rated for the tank but the 100 would be ideal! It has replaceablecartridges witha sponge in and carbon inside the sponge. If you tip out carbon after 4-6 weeks,you can keep using sponge and not worry about changing cartridge.At worst, you canbuy loose carbon to put in sponge

Their is also an IFX? (poss just IF) filter that sits in the corner(or the JBL internal filter it was based on!) that are powerful and pretty good!

AquaOne internal filters generally arent featured anywhere but for a very basic filter... they have the highest turnover (ignoring the paperwork and going by experience) of any internal filter i have used! Media can be changed!

Pretty much covers what i am up to date on

 

[phishyphil]

Hi mate and welcome to the forum. Read the the cycling section here at Beginner Resource Centre

Pets at Home tend to "advise" setting the aquarium up using a Fish In Cycling Method, which we are not big fans of here

Best bit of advice I can say here is "DO NOT RUSH and RESEARCH"

As long as you do this, you'll be fine pal. Welcome to the hobby

 

[Tomegoodwin]

Welcome!! I also brought a tank for my daughter (and me) and she loves it!! Think all kids do. Hope all goes well and looking forward to some pics once all set up

 

[oskar]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
now my next step, I have ordered my water testing kit from ebay.
The water has been in the tank 8 days now, is it best to start the water changes now or when i have the tester kit so i can start measuring it.
also how long do i need to add the tap safe to the water before i add it too the tank?

 

[phishyphil]

In regards to the water changes, get yourself the tester kit, and continue from there. Im assuming your going to be Without fish cycling?

In regards to tap safe, people will differ in what you say, Mostly you can add the tap safe, swill it round a little and off you go. However some people say "leave it overnight", However i have never done this and never had any problems. If it puts your mind at rest, put it in, leave it for 10 minutes and off you go.

One piece of advice, ensure to do your water changes when the lights are OFF. if you complete this when the lights are on, the co2 levels will swing, and lead to problems with algae such as Black Beard Algae (BBA) and that stuff is a pain