Juwel set up- what am I actually DOING...

[Bloo]

You've got it
The only thing to ask - do you have an output nozzle (to direct the water outflow into the tank). You should have one I presume.
Use this at an angle either pointing it towards the front or the back of the tank. Thereby reducing the force - but not restricting the filtration.

 

[Maroonostrich]

Is that the nozzle in piccie 2? Its facing through the grill and is labelled 'water tube in the descriptions.

If I put that on an angle the fish will be happier? No problem I can fiddle away.

 

[Bloo]

You are joking about adding the leaf fish that very day - I really hope so !
You are far better off doing a fishless cycle. But if you are doing it with fish, I don't think a leaf fish will be your best starter (at all).

Do you have some test kits to monitor the progress of your water and they cycle?
Sorry, don’t' want to sound patronizing, but just checking

 

[Maroonostrich]

Leaf fish most definitely a joke- I can't bear the thought of feeding anything live and finned to anything!! not to mention that I don't find them attractive... the list goes on...

Have yet to buy lots of stuff! It's nice that the juwel thing comes with food and water conditioner isn't it?!

I'm planning to wait some time before my fish go in there. No test kits yet but certainly not to say I won't end up with one tomorrow!

I meant to ask, as I have a goldfish tank could I add a small amount of water from there to this new one to help the cycle along? Or as they are coldwater and so messy is that a bad idea?

 

[Maroonostrich]

My light works! Little things make me happy!

 

[Vivienne]

Glad it's all coming together From what I have read on the forum, the bacteria lives mostly in the filter, and in the gravel/on plants so taking a scoop of gravel from the goldfish bowl (if there is any might be more useful).

My Juwel instructions said to rinse the filters in warm water - since the chlorine in tap water kills bacteria I presume it would be best to rinse them in de-chlorinated water. Maybe though, when you're setting up for the very first time ( and have no bacteria to kill) it doesn't matter. I'm new to this too and at a similar stage to you. I'm going on holiday soon though so I can't really get started in earnest until I get back.

In my case I'm gonna do a fishless cycle because it seems easier on the fish and because I don't really fancy any of the fish recommended for cycling. It means a bit of a wait before we get fish - but it's fun visiting the fish shops for ideas and right now we keep changing our minds about which fish we'd like to add so at least we have some time to decide ! Best of luck

 

[Maroonostrich]

Hope yours goes well too! I'll be yakking about this for weeks now, so everyone will hear about my mistakes...!!

I have one more question, where does this stick on themometer go?! Inside, outside, is it water proof?

 

[Vivienne]

If it's an LCD one I was advised that it goes on the outside of the tank at the opposite end to the heater, below the water level. I think it depends on the exact type of thermometer though because I know some are designed to stick on the inside of the tank with a suction cup.

 

[Maroonostrich]

Great, thank you very much! I think I've done all I can today, maybe lunchtime!!