My Fluval Edge Tank - With Fish!

[Gazanimal]

Finally got round to setting my tank up today after popping to a local(ish) Maidenhead Aquatics store to get the rest of the bits I needed.

So I'll keep a log of results as & when I can & any comments appreciated as I know you guys & gals have chimed in on other threads, so opinions always appreciated.

So.....


The tank is full, the sand is in, the heater is on (set to 28c) and we're off & running.


Day One:

Dosed the water with Nutrafin AquaPlus to de-chlorinate.
Added in the "free" Nutrafin Cycle to kick start the fish-less cycling (it was free so I threw it in but it'll probably do sod all)
Heater set to 28c
Water slightly cloudy due to sand substrate but should clear over the next day or so.
Mass of air bubbles and the sand is being moved a bit by the water flow at the front of the tank.

With regards the sand being moved by the water flow, should I slow the flow on the filter or is it best to leave it filtering quicker to speed up the cycling process?

The filter is creating a crater in the sand presently.

Test Results:
Day 1: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm
Day 2: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 4.5ppm
Day 3: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.3 / Ammonia: 4ppm
Day 4: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.3 / Ammonia: 4ppm
Day 5: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.3 / Ammonia: 4ppm
Day 7: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 4ppm
Day 8: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: 40ppm << Hard to tell exactly what ppm this was.
Day 9: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 1ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 10: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / *** Dosed with 1.25ml of Ammonia
Day 11: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 1ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 12: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: 160ppm *** Dosed with 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 13: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: Between 80-160ppm *** Dosed with 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 14: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: Between 80-160ppm *** Dosed with 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 15: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5ppm / Nitrate: Between 80-160ppm *** Dosed with 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 16: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 1ppm / Nitrate: Between 40ppm *** Dosed with 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 17: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 0.25ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed with 1ml of Ammonia (accidentally put too much in)
Day 18: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 0.50ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 19: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 2.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 20: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 21: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 22: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 5.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 23: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 24: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: Between 80-160ppm *** Dosed 0.5ml of Ammonia
Day 25: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Dosed 1.25ml of Ammonia
Day 26: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 0.5ppm / Nitrite: 0.25ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) - Ammonia & Nitrite haven't completely processed but nearly. *** Dosed back up to 5ppm
Day 27: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) - Ammonia hasn't completely processed. *** Dosed back up to 5ppm
Day 28: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 4.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Ammonia is not being processed within 24 hours.
Day 29: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.0 / Ammonia: 4.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: Between 80-160ppm *** Ammonia is not being processed within 24 hours.
Day 30: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 4.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Ammonia is not being processed.
Day 31: 90% water change done to help kick-start ammonia processing again. Re-dosed to 4ppm.
Day 32: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 33: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test) *** Still 2.00ppm on the Ammonia, non-processed.
Day 34: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 35: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 36: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 37: (Did not test) - Wasn't home to test
Day 38: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 39: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 40: Ammonia: 2.00ppm - Not wishing to waste any more reagents I've only tested ammonia levels
Day 41: Ammonia: 2.00ppm - Only tested ammonia levels
Day 42: Ammonia: 2.00ppm - Only tested ammonia levels
Day 43: Ammonia: 2.00ppm - Only tested ammonia levels
Day 44: Ammonia: 1.00ppm - Only tested ammonia levels - Removed carbon filter sack & topped up water earlier in the day
Day 45: Ammonia: 1.00ppm - Only tested ammonia levels
Day 46: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0.5ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: Between 40-80ppm
Day 47: Ammonia: 0.50ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 48: Ammonia: 0.50ppm - Only tested ammonia level (seemed fainter and half way between 0.25 & 0.50 - or it was wishful thinking)
Day 49: Ammonia: 0.25ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 50: Ammonia: 0.25ppm - Only tested ammonia level (dosed 1ml of Ammonia before leaving for a trip)
Day 53: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.3 / Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.25ppm / Nitrate: 80ppm+
Day 54: Ammonia: 0.25ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 55: Ammonia: 0.00ppm - Only tested ammonia level (near as #41#### it 0.00ppm - Dosed 1.2ml ammonia)
Day 56: Ammonia: 4.00ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 57: Ammonia: 1.00ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 58: Ammonia: 0.00ppm - 0.25ppm - Only tested ammonia level (more than 0.00 but much less than 0.25, really hard to distinguish the colour - dosed 1ml)
Day 59: Ammonia: 1.00ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 60: Ammonia: 0.25ppm - Only tested ammonia level
Day 61: Ammonia: 0.00ppm - Only tested ammonia level (Dosed 1.2ml ammonia)
Day 62: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.50ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 63: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm / Nitrate: 80ppm (dosed with 1.2ml ammonia)
Day 64: pH = 7.6 / pH High = 8.2 / Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 2.00ppm / Nitrate: (Did not test)
Day 65: Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia
Day 66: Ammonia: 1.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.25ppm
Day 67: Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia
Day 68: Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia
Day 69: Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia
Day 70 (am): Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Starting 12 hour testing.
Day 70 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 71 (am): Ammonia: 2.00ppm / Nitrite: 1.00ppm
Day 71 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 72 (am): Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.50ppm
Day 72 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 73 (am): Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.50ppm
Day 73 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 74 (am): Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.50ppm
Day 74 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 75 (am): Ammonia: 0.25ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Nearly 12hour processing.
Day 75 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm
Day 76 (am): Ammonia: 0.25ppm / Nitrite: 0.25ppm
Day 76 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 77 (am): Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm
Day 77 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 78 (am): Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm
Day 78 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 79 (am): Ammonia: 0.50ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm
Day 79 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.
Day 80 (am): Ammonia: 0.25ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm
Day 80 (pm): Ammonia: 0.00ppm / Nitrite: 0.00ppm - Dosed with 1.2ml of ammonia.



Current Pictures:

Now with Fish!

 

[SensesFail]

Finally got round to setting my tank up today after popping to a local(ish) Maidenhead Aquatics store to get the rest of the bits I needed.

So I'll keep a log of results as & when I can & any comments appreciated as I know you guys & gals have chimed in on other threads, so opinions always appreciated.

So.....


The tank is full, the sand is in, the heater is on (set to 28c) and we're off & running.


Day One:

Dosed the water with Nutrafin AquaPlus to de-chlorinate.
Added in the "free" Nutrafin Cycle to kick start the fish-less cycling (it was free so I threw it in but it'll probably do sod all)
Heater set to 28c
Water slightly cloudy due to sand substrate but should clear over the next day or so.
Mass of air bubbles and the sand is being moved a bit by the water flow at the front of the tank.

With regards the sand being moved by the water flow, should I slow the flow on the filter or is it best to leave it filtering quicker to speed up the cycling process?

The filter is creating a crater in the sand presently.

Whats the water conditions? Ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate?

Are you doing the add and wait method topping to 5ppm ammonia and waiting till it drops?

 

[Gazanimal]

Not tested the water as yet, as I've literally just finished setting it up & running in the last half an hour.

I'll be doing the add & wait method with 5 ppm ammonia.

 

[SensesFail]

Not tested the water as yet, as I've literally just finished setting it up & running in the last half an hour.

I'll be doing the add & wait method with 5 ppm ammonia.

Sounds good exciting times getting the tank all set up then when u get fish even more excitement haha as I'm sure your aware of!

 

[Gazanimal]

Not tested the water as yet, as I've literally just finished setting it up & running in the last half an hour.

I'll be doing the add & wait method with 5 ppm ammonia.

Sounds good exciting times getting the tank all set up then when u get fish even more excitement haha as I'm sure your aware of!

Yep. Especially after seeing the tank in MA yesterday. They had one with some Cardinal Tetras and a nice deep blue Betta which the missus fell in love with and said I had to get one.
The "Who's bloody tank is it" argument ensued.

Although I was thinking about getting a Betta, plus some Neon/Cardinals anyway, with a couple of Shrimp as doormen

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

cardinals all the way! i got so much love for them :

 

[Gazanimal]

Tested both my tap water & tank water (with the Nutrafin Aqua Cycle dosed in)

Tap

7.6 - Ph
7.4 - Ph High
0.00 ppm - Ammonia
0.00 ppm - Nitrite
40 ppm - Nitrate


Tank (including Nutrafin Cycle)

7.6 - Ph
7.4 - Ph High
0.00 ppm - Ammonia
0.00 ppm - Nitrite
40 ppm - Nitrate

As you can see the massive difference the Nutrafin Cycle made to the test results.

Going to wait a day or so for the tank to settle as it's not cleared yet after adding the sand etc today, then will dose the 1st 1.25ml of ammonia.

 

[SensesFail]

Tested both my tap water & tank water (with the Nutrafin Aqua Cycle dosed in)

Tap

7.6 - Ph
7.4 - Ph High
0.00 ppm - Ammonia
0.00 ppm - Nitrite
40 ppm - Nitrate


Tank (including Nutrafin Cycle)

7.6 - Ph
7.4 - Ph High
0.00 ppm - Ammonia
0.00 ppm - Nitrite
40 ppm - Nitrate

As you can see the massive difference the Nutrafin Cycle made to the test results.

Going to wait a day or so for the tank to settle as it's not cleared yet after adding the sand etc today, then will dose the 1st 1.25ml of ammonia.

I'd leave the tap water in a glass for 24hrs then test Ph again will possibly change if not then u can go off 7.6 not sure how much you know etc so thought I'd throw that in their get some snaps once it's all up and running like seeing ppls aquariums!

 

[Gazanimal]

I'd read it somewhere about leaving the water to stand for 24hrs but it was a good reminder, thanks SF.

Just need to sort out some nice decoration for it now.

With a potential stock of 4 or 5 Cardinal/Neon Tetras, 1 Betta and the odd shrimp or two advice on kind of ideal habitat for them would be appreciated.

 

[SensesFail]

I'd read it somewhere about leaving the water to stand for 24hrs but it was a good reminder, thanks SF.

Just need to sort out some nice decoration for it now.

With a potential stock of 4 or 5 Cardinal/Neon Tetras, 1 Betta and the odd shrimp or two advice on kind of ideal habitat for them would be appreciated.

rocks, driftwood maybe some plants if you are venturing into live or some fake ones look really nice 2 just a few things and posibilitys.

 

[Gazanimal]

I did look at some wood in Maidenhead Aquatics yesterday, but it was hard to judge the size but now I know generally the dimensions then I'll look at a couple of pieces of bogwood.

Definitely going down the plastic plant route, but I don't want to over fill the tank & make it cluttered but wanted to make sure the fish felt safe in their environment.

 

[SensesFail]

I did look at some wood in Maidenhead Aquatics yesterday, but it was hard to judge the size but now I know generally the dimensions then I'll look at a couple of pieces of bogwood.

Definitely going down the plastic plant route, but I don't want to over fill the tank & make it cluttered but wanted to make sure the fish felt safe in their environment.

Plastic plant wise I'd check out sydeco have a few in my tank and they seem really good quality! Nice string heavy bases and for plastic plants they look reasonably real! As far as plastic goes! They do a wide range from large to small! Dobbies do the selection but they are expensive from their and sites online will be cheaper no doubt!

 

[Gazanimal]

Just tested the tap water after 24 hours for Ph & Ph High.

7.6 - Ph
8.0 - Ph High


Seems the 24 hour wait caused the water to bump up in Ph.


Going to add the 1st dose of Ammonia today too & start the wait method.

 

[SensesFail]

Just tested the tap water after 24 hours for Ph & Ph High.

7.6 - Ph
8.0 - Ph High


Seems the 24 hour wait caused the water to bump up in Ph.


Going to add the 1st dose of Ammonia today too & start the wait method.

Thats normal for the Ph to rise after its been left can be a bonus or a pain in the behind depends on what you need it to be.

 

[Gazanimal]

Cool, at least I know what is happening with the tap water/tank water over time.

Just dosed my 1st 1.25ml (ish) of Ammonia.

Do I test now or wait 24 hours?