Hi There

[joolsb]

Hi There, just introducing myself, I'm very new to tropical fish keeping, haven't actually bought any yet! I've got the tank and just need to sort it out before I get any fish. Trouble is I just can't get my head around cycling yet! Any how do you test for amonia etc in the water? Any tips would be great

 

[stang1]

First of all, welcome to the forum.
You need to read the pinned topic on cycling, that should give you the information you're after.

 

[joolsb]

Well I am going to set up tonight and hopefully in a couple of week time I can get some fish. I did ask at the LFS about cycling but they said that everything should be OK with their cycling starter kit! and to just give it 1 week. I'm not so sure, as I haven't had tropical fish before I don't want to mess up. Still struggling to understand the safe levels of water and exactly what I'm doing when testing but I will try. I also intend to get some live plants in the next few days to see if that will help.

 

[kas]

Well I am going to set up tonight and hopefully in a couple of week time I can get some fish. I did ask at the LFS about cycling but they said that everything should be OK with their cycling starter kit! and to just give it 1 week. I'm not so sure, as I haven't had tropical fish before I don't want to mess up. Still struggling to understand the safe levels of water and exactly what I'm doing when testing but I will try. I also intend to get some live plants in the next few days to see if that will help.

am i being thick or what the hell is cycling. i thought that was what you did on 2 wheels. ive kept fish for 30 years and never heard of this. also ive never once tested for anything!! are you guys making things hard for us old foggies. its all to technical for me. whats wrong with the way ive kept fish.