Just Started My First Ever Aquarium

[Zanziba]

Bought a 60 liter tank (Thats about 15 gallons to all you state side) and decided after MUCH deliberation to heat it !

It is now at 25C (77F) and even though I've turned it down as I wanted it at 24C it decidedly refuses to change, probably my house is so warm lol.

I have gravel as a base, about 2 inch deep at the front and 4 inch at the back. I have decided on real plants as I prefer the idea of a true bio-world !

It's all happy and dechlorinted and I ran it for a week and I have now introduced my first few fish, 3 Black/Orange Platies each about 1.5inchs long.

I am not going to add any more for at least 2 weeks to set up the "cycle" that I have read so much about.

Oh, and I also have a nice ship wreck in there my daughter just bought me !

My only problem so far is that I asked the shop for 1 male and 2 females and on close inspection I have discovered I have 1 female and 2 males but I think I will see how they all get on as I already feel attached to the little fellas !

I can get pics online if anyone wants to see them...

 

[rsands]

Welcome to the forum. which tank did you go for?

Ye as you have chose fish cycling, dont add them all in at once...leave it for a bit. Platies are a nice active fish, very colourful.

Keep an eye on the male/female thing or expect a load of fry! at least you wont need to buy more fish lol

Ye post the pics for us...

 

[Zanziba]

I won a TetraAqua Art 60 off ebay for £21 (They're £79.99 in the shops !) but I did have to spend another £18 on a heater as the owner had removed it.

I don't mind getting a load of fry but they'll probably get eaten reading what people say. If they do survive I'll see if the shop will give me store credit for food/chemicals for them (Maybe just HAVE to keep one lol)

Anyway, I am going to wait at least 2 weeks, maybe a month, and if all is OK the shop has some amazing guppies... I'll be in fry heaven then !

 

[scorphonic]

Definately wait until your cycle is completely finished before adding in any more fish, do you have a water test kit? I would recommend strongly that you get one to monitor the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH etc... Go for the API master test kit coz this is just amazing!!

You will know that the tank is fully cycled when the ammonia and nitrite remain at a constant ZERO value. If you see any ammonia or nitrite then the tank is not cycled. Remember since you have fish to do water changes to keep the nitrates that build up to a reasonable level, I keep mine at about 40ppm and try not to allow it to build up!!

When you get a water test kit you will understand what I mean about 40ppm!!

Best of luck with it!!

 

[Zanziba]

Well, the males are fighting... Correction the Bigger of the two is ramming into the little one all the time... Wonder why we always like the underdog? Therefore the big one is going back to the shop today if I can catch him and being swapped for a female.

There was one comedy moment where "Red" was against the glass, minding his own business when the Big one flew right across the tank at him and Red just moved a little at the last moment, it looked so no innocent as he sort of stepped out of the way a little bit, and the Big Bully bounced dramatically off the glass. I am sure "Red" smiled !

I'll keep you posted and try and get some pics this afternoon.

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In answer to the previous poster I haven't got a test kit and I have no money left until next month but I will do water changes etc. as if they are all swimming in pure Ammonia Nitrite hell lol !

 

[alum]

Well, the males are fighting... Correction the Bigger of the two is ramming into the little one all the time... Wonder why we always like the underdog? Therefore the big one is going back to the shop today if I can catch him and being swapped for a female.

There was one comedy moment where "Red" was against the glass, minding his own business when the Big one flew right across the tank at him and Red just moved a little at the last moment, it looked so no innocent as he sort of stepped out of the way a little bit, and the Big Bully bounced dramatically off the glass. I am sure "Red" smiled !

I'll keep you posted and try and get some pics this afternoon.

------

In answer to the previous poster I haven't got a test kit and I have no money left until next month but I will do water changes etc. as if they are all swimming in pure Ammonia Nitrite hell lol !

you see, that's why we keep fish my friend lol

 

[piratedninja]

the easiest way that ive found to catch small fish like platies is by having a pretty big net (at least 5in accross) and try to corner the fish and slowly move the tank towards it
eventualy the fish will start to swim to the top of the tank where u can have the net right under it and quickly pull it out of the water
and congtratulations! youve caught your fish!

 

[Zanziba]

I now have 1 male and 2 females, all now seems at peace, even during feeding !

Hopefully this will continue !

 

[mark.w.jones]

Good luck. You will almost certainly have fairly high ammonia and possible nitrite levels at the moment. These are both very bad for fish although platies are very hardy. Get yourself a liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH ASAP and get into the habit of daily water checks for a bit. 20% water changes are all you can do to dilute these levels in a fishy cycling tank. You may have to do one or even 2 a day for a while. You won't get ammonia and nitrite down to a stable 0ppm in a cycling tank, but 0.50ppm is just about acceptable.

 

[vinylman]

Please don't even think about adding more fish until you've bought a test kit and the cycle has finished.

 

[Zanziba]

Don't worry, i wont !

It'll be next month b4 I have any cash lol !