Just Starting Out (sort Of), Wondering...

[bozcrow]

Ok, so I've got a 20 gal tank that used to house a gigantic goldfish (we had him for 5 years) plus some other assorted chum. Nature evicted them a few weeks back, while we were out of town, so now I'm rebuilding the tank from "scratch."

I'm using an Eclipse 3 filter system.

I'm re-using the old gravel substrate, after rinsing it thoroughly.

I've added a heater and thermometer, although living in Southern California at this time of year it seems unnecessary .

Having filled the tank and let it sit for a few days, I added 4 guppies, who've been living there for a little better than a week, now.

I've tested the water and noted that the Ph was high...around 8. I did about a 15-20% water change last night which dropped it to around 7.8. Question 1: I should be aiming for 7, I presume, and I also presume that I shouldn't change it too fast; I'm planning on doing another water change tonight, and then letting it settle for a couple of days, and doing another one. Is that reasonable?

Question 2: I want to add live plants. At what point should I be planning to do this?

Question 3: The thermometer I have is suckered to the side of the tank, off to one side. I've noticed that the water temp can bounce around 4 degrees during the day. The tank is near a window, but gets no direct sunlight. Is this normal/ok? Is this an effect of the thermo being so close to the side of the tank?

I think that's enough, for now. More to come, I'm sure.

boz

 

[Torrean]

Having filled the tank and let it sit for a few days, I added 4 guppies, who've been living there for a little better than a week, now.

I've tested the water and noted that the Ph was high...around 8. I did about a 15-20% water change last night which dropped it to around 7.8. Question 1: I should be aiming for 7, I presume, and I also presume that I shouldn't change it too fast; I'm planning on doing another water change tonight, and then letting it settle for a couple of days, and doing another one. Is that reasonable?

Question 2: I want to add live plants. At what point should I be planning to do this?

Question 3: The thermometer I have is suckered to the side of the tank, off to one side. I've noticed that the water temp can bounce around 4 degrees during the day. The tank is near a window, but gets no direct sunlight. Is this normal/ok? Is this an effect of the thermo being so close to the side of the tank?

I think that's enough, for now. More to come, I'm sure.

boz

do you know about cycling? Nitrite ammonia and all that
1.if your PH is high consistently then you should go for fish that prefer a high PH. Stable is more important than it being right at 7 anyway.
2. Add live plants as soon as you have the correct amount of light, co2 and fertilizers for the types of plants you want.
3. I don't know why your temp moves around...probably ambient room temperature affecting the tank. Do you have air conditioning...if the temp in the room is lower than the temp in the tank then the heater should keep the tank at around the right temperature as long as it's powerfull enough and it's set correctly.