Need A Little Help Getting Started.

[imxelite]

Hi All,

I just purchased a 60 gallon tank and I'm looking to get it up and running. I've been reading countless threads regarding how to properly cycle a tank. I have went to the pet store and this is what I have so far:
Marineland Power Filter (Penguin 350)
TopFin 300 Watt heater
TopFin Air Pump AIR-4000
3-Way Plastic Gang Valve
25' Airline Tubing
Stress Zyme
Stress Coat
Aqueon 50ft. Water Changer
60lbs. of Gravel

I'm about to go to the store because I wanted to pick out some plants. I heard it's best to set plants before filling the tank all the way to the top. What are some other things that are neccessary to get my tank up and running? Also is there anything that I've got that isn't needed or another brand maybe better?

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[james_fish]

You seem enthusiastic and are going about setting the tank up in the right way. Remember if opting for a fish-in cycle, remember to leave at least 1 more ideally 2 weeks before adding fish. See if you can get some mature filter media or sponge, that will speed up the process dramatically.

James

 

[waterdrop]

Hi imxelite and welcome to the beginners section!

Have you read the basic articles in our Beginners Resource Center? They are the ones on the Nitrogen Cycle, the Fishless Cycle and the Fish-In Cycle. They help to get you up to speed on the topic of the nitrogen cycle and the biofilter that ideally is fully running prior to fish being introduced.

A large tank like a 60G could mean a lot of work if the fish stocking for a Fish-In type of cycle were overestimated. Having to do a series of large water changes to manually filter the water can mean hours of bucket carrying! Its good to be sure you understand the different trade-offs before jumping in if possible. The members here are pretty knowledgeable about the different ways of cycling a tank, so they can often help.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Twinklecaz]

If I were you I'd fishless cycle and leave the plants till it's finished.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Imxelite.
It is indeed easier to plant the plants with a partially filled tank. The reality is that the ease of planting at that time is more than offset by the difficulty in cleaning the algae from the tank glass while the tank is cycling with plants in it. By adding plants, you add the need to run some lights on the tank and, since we use ammonia to cycle, lights means algae growth. Even in small trace amounts ammonia can lead to growth of algae in a tank. Having a high ammonia concentration will benefit both your plants and the algae. Plants, including algae, love some nitrogen in the form of ammonia for their growth. Even if you use nitrate fertilizers, most plants will return it to an ammonia form before absorbing it through their roots. Because that happens in the root zone, we never measure that ammonia with our test kits though.

 

[imxelite]

Thanks for the replies people. I had an interesting to say the least experience at my local petsmart. First the girl helping me told me that it was okay for me to put my airpump unit underwater. Crazy. But anyway I got the plants and I setup everything and added the Stress Coat and Stress Zyme which I thought my help with the process. After reading futher I see this is not the case. Well since I have the plants in and the dose of stress coat and Zyme in the tank. How should I proceed? Should I go for the fish in cycle now?

 

[OldMan47]

It is always less work to do a fishless cycle than it is to do one with fish in. Either one will mean you have ammonia in the water and the higher probability of algae growth.

 

[Dan-CR4]

if you have a choice, and are patient then fishless cycle is a good way to go. I did my first fishless cycle and finished just over a week ago. The fish really are happy in there new home and my ammonia and nitrite tests are reading 0ppm everyday and my nitrate is staying at a steady 20ppm (my tap water already has 10ppm). Im glad i chose fishless cycling. It was easy to do and all i had to do was take 5 minutes each day testing the water. Over the course of my fishless cycle, all I had to do was change the water twice. Water changes may needed to be done everyday if you decide to do a fishin cycle.

So for the easier method I would choose fishless cycling. have a look here as this is real good read on fishless cycling