My Very First Tank

[purplekaz]

Hi all.

I have read a lot of the guides on the forum aimed at newbies. I've learnt a lot from them so thank you all very much!
I originally ordered a BiUbe, but saw sense and instead I now have a brand new Juwel Rekord 96 (96 litres/21 imperial gallons/25 US gallons) which came complete with filter, heater, lighting etc.
I get the impression a larger tank is more forgiving on newbie mistakes, and by the sounds of things I will probably "catch the bug" and want an even bigger one anyway, so I figured 96 litres is a good start!

I really am a complete newbie to fishkeeping, so please forgive my stupid questions.
There's only fine gravel and dechlorinated water in there so far, but I'm already excited about it!

I plan to do a fishless cycle which I will start in the next few days, with a little boost from StressZyme, so now I'm starting to think about the fish I would like to have.

The LFS advised a few hardy fish to start with, assuming our water tests ok when we take a sample in to them, until we get the hang of things. Then add 4 or so more fish every 2-3 weeks.
I liked the look of some silver coloured Mollies they had in the shop, so I think 4 of those will be the first fish I add.
I really like the look of Gouramis so plan to have some of those eventually.
But before I buy any fish, I would like your advice of whether they would all be suitable with each other.
The LFS thought so, but I'd appreciate a second opinion!

Here's what I had in mind:

4 mollies
6 black neon tetra
6 cardinal tetra
3 honey gourami
5 cories
3 shrimp

Also does that seem like a good number of fish for my tank? and is that balanced in terms of top/middle/bottom swimmers?

In terms of planting my aquarium, will the fish love me any less if I use plastic rather than live plants? also is there anything specific that these fish would need in the tank, a cave/bogwood etc?


Karen

 

[fiskkeeperpro]

it seems ok to me, if you do regular water changes then i think it will be fine.

 

[Matt_northants]

Mollies arent a very hardy fish so I would probably leave them out. Also they prefer hard water whereas your tetras will show better colour in soft. As for plants they help to soak up excess nutients and keeping them adds another level of interest to your hobby. If your worried about light requirements pick either Java Fern, Anubis or Java Moss as these will grow ok dim light. They're also slow growing so you wont need to worry about trimming them.

 

[Luketendo]

4 mollies - I wouldn't.
6 black neon tetra - VERY VERY HARDY, mine survived a fish-in cycle AND white spot, great fish.
6 cardinal tetra - Not very hardy, I can never get these or normal neons to survive, but most people can.
3 honey gourami - Should be ok.
5 cories - Perfect.
3 shrimp - Not sure if gouramis and shrimp are compatible, depending on the type of shrimp, these will multiply fast, but don't fear because they produce so little waste that you could keep like 60 in a 10g without a filter, without anything else.

Also, I heard shrimp tend to stop breeding once they feel crowded.

 

[JimShorts]

I'd leave out the mollies, as they aren't very hardy and since you said you're new they may give you problems. And I don't know too much on shrimp, so take someone else's advice on those.

But as for the tetras, gouramis, and cories, they all look good. They'll also give you a nice balance of fish throughout your tank.

 

[LolaLouie]

I have Amano shrimp with Gouramis they're absolutely fine. If you want cherry shrimp or any smaller shrimp then I'd say the Gouramis would probably eat them!

 

[purplekaz]

Thanks very much for your replies.

I bought a master test kit today, some household ammonia from the £1 shop, and some mopani wood.
I boiled the wood for a couple of hours but as the water only got to a pale tea colour, I felt lucky and put it in the tank this evening. Fingers crossed I don't have brown water tomorrow!

I have just started my fishless cycle so I'm a step closer to being an actual fishkeeper!
I bought an airstone then when we got home realised it needed a pump, doh. I've read the Juwel aquariums don't need extra air etc but I love the bubbles!

I'll take your advice regarding the mollies. The tetras, gouramis and cories seem like a good mix to me.
The shrimp I saw at the LFS looked very cool. I've no idea what type it was but it was about the size of a king prawn and almost transparent, will find out what it is next time I visit the shop so I can read up on it.

When I figure out how to post pictures I'll show you my work in progress...

 

[rabbut]

Other than the mollies already pointed out, your stocking looks ok to me

A stupid question. How are you planning to do your fishless cycle? Is it similar to the methord described in [topic="113861"]this thread[/topic] or are you adding the stress zyme, then fish later. It sounds as though you are possible confusing tearms. Fishless cycling is where your tank is cycled using bottled ammonia and test kits, before adding all your fish in one go, and fish-in cycling, as advised wrongly IMO by most LFS, is where you add a few small fish into your tank to cycle it, and slowly build up your stocking from there. I am sure you already knew this, but just wanted to make sure

All the best
Rabbut

 

[purplekaz]

Okies here's my tank.
I'm planning to get a few plants in there soon.
The bubbles are created by my husband blowing down the end of the tube, until we get a pump, hehe

Regarding the fishless cycle: This evening I added 3ml of my ammonia (says 9.5% ammonia solution on ingredients label) straight to the tank, which tested as about 4ppm with my liquid test kit (the colour chart shows colours for 4 and 8ppm and 4ppm is the closest match).
I also added 25ml of Stress Zyme just on the off chance it might actually contain some bacteria to kick start the process. The LFS sold us it with recommendation, though I expect he thought we'd be doing a fish in cycle, hence the recommendation of mollies too.
I'll test the water again tomorrow and daily until I see signs of nitrite.
I plan to watch the ammonia go down to zero then add another 3ml of ammonia each time to keep it going etc. while testing for nitrite and eventually nitrate.
I don't plan to put any fish in there until I get readings of 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and low nitrate, so I hope that puts your mind at rest And I just hope it will work...

Actually all this testing and playing with chemicals is quite fun!
And of course gives me time to play around with the decorations in the tank, and reading up on my fish

 

[Luketendo]

You won't get low nitrate reading unless you do a water change really.

When you're cycled you'll have 0 Ammonia and Nitrite and loads of Nitrate.

You do a really big water change to get rid of the nitrate and then you're ready for fish.

Doesn't happen that fast though .

Stress Zyme probably won't help your cycle since it probably absorbs ammonia and stuff itself which means less toxic chemicals to grow bacteria with.

 

[rabbut]

Regarding the fishless cycle: This evening I added 3ml of my ammonia (says 9.5% ammonia solution on ingredients label) straight to the tank, which tested as about 4ppm with my liquid test kit (the colour chart shows colours for 4 and 8ppm and 4ppm is the closest match).
I also added 25ml of Stress Zyme just on the off chance it might actually contain some bacteria to kick start the process. The LFS sold us it with recommendation, though I expect he thought we'd be doing a fish in cycle, hence the recommendation of mollies too.
I'll test the water again tomorrow and daily until I see signs of nitrite.
I plan to watch the ammonia go down to zero then add another 3ml of ammonia each time to keep it going etc. while testing for nitrite and eventually nitrate.
I don't plan to put any fish in there until I get readings of 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and low nitrate, so I hope that puts your mind at rest And I just hope it will work...

Actually all this testing and playing with chemicals is quite fun!
And of course gives me time to play around with the decorations in the tank, and reading up on my fish

Exelent. Thats a good start, while you are waiting for your plants Have you read the thread about members willing to donate mature filter media? That will speed things along further. Don't worry, you'll still get to play with the chemicals

All the best
Rabbut

 

[purplekaz]

Phew, good to hear I'm on the right track.
If the Stress Zyme doesn't seem to be helping I'll just not add any more and see if things speed up.
When we go to choose some plants I'm planning to ask the LFS nicely if they can spare any mature media, fingers crossed.

I have another question - Once the tank is cycled, could I add all the fish at once or should I add a few at a time?
I read somewhere that all fish should go in at once to prevent the bacteria dying off to below the level needed for a fully stocked tank, but as I'm not really sure I thought I should ask your advice.

Thanks for your help.

 

[rabbut]

Phew, good to hear I'm on the right track.
If the Stress Zyme doesn't seem to be helping I'll just not add any more and see if things speed up.
When we go to choose some plants I'm planning to ask the LFS nicely if they can spare any mature media, fingers crossed.

I have another question - Once the tank is cycled, could I add all the fish at once or should I add a few at a time?
I read somewhere that all fish should go in at once to prevent the bacteria dying off to below the level needed for a fully stocked tank, but as I'm not really sure I thought I should ask your advice.

Thanks for your help.

Stress Zyme probibly won't help, but it won't harm either. If you have it, use it as it will just waste otherwise. I personaly went to about 3/4 stocked after the cycle, but most fully stock right away The only reason for me not fully stocking, was that I whished to get the best quality discus that I could find, and for that, I was prepaired to wait a while longer.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[bucksgill]

You should get some platys. My tank is 2 weeks old and my mollies have had some behavioural problems and health problems, although the health problems have almost gone. My platys have had no problems and are really really active.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Looks like your on track. Stocking sounds good (though I agree on the no mollies but that is mainly because I dont like live bearers) and will look really nice.

The shrimp sound like they would be ok. As mentioned smaller shrimp would be eaten but bigger ones will be fine.

The bubbles are created by my husband blowing down the end of the tube, until we get a pump, hehe

This made me laugh out loud (not a good thing as I'm reading this in a office full of people while I'm on the phone..) Just pictured some poor bloke close to passing out blowing bubbles into the tank while you sit back watching the tank and decide where you want the ornaments to go

With regards to stocking. With a fishless cycle you can stock the full load in one go. However I would hold off putting the cardinal tetras in until the tank has been running a few months without any problems. They wont add a large bioload to the tank so will not cause any ammonia spikes and they do much better in a more mature tank. I would put the rest in all in one go though.