How To Get Started?

[Lesleyann]

Ok so im very very new to this teh last time i had fish i was about 10/11 and it was cold water fish, so i have alot of questions

How long do i need to leave the tank with water to sit before putting fish in?
Apart from filter, heater, gravel, something to hide, food what else do i need?
Any fish that should never ever be put together?
What temp should the tank be set at?
Do you need to have the tanks light on all the time?

Is there anything ive missed?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Ok so im very very new to this teh last time i had fish i was about 10/11 and it was cold water fish, so i have alot of questions

How long do i need to leave the tank with water to sit before putting fish in?
Apart from filter, heater, gravel, something to hide, food what else do i need?
Any fish that should never ever be put together?
What temp should the tank be set at?
Do you need to have the tanks light on all the time?

Is there anything ive missed?

You need to do a fishless cycle before you add fish, and this on average takes 4-6 weeks to complete.

Here is the link on how to do a fishless cycle: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861[/URL]

You also need a good water conditioner to de-chlorinate the tap water before you put it into the tank. API Stress Coat +, is a really good water conditioner.

You also need a liquid test kit to test for Ammonia, NitrIte, NitrAte and pH, a good test kit is the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

You should also get an aerator.

After you get all this sorted and figured out, than we can talk about what fish would be good to keep.

No, tank lights only need to be on around 10 hours a day. And this can also vary a lot by if you have live plants, if your tank is already getting enough light from somewhere else, if you algae in the tank, etc....

You should keep your tank at a temp of 84 F/29 C during the fishless cycle. After the cycle is complete, you will than adjust the temperature accordingly to what fish you have.

-FHM