Need Some Advice On My First Tank

[DJC1]

Hi guys, new to the forum but it's been recommended by a couple of people, so looking for some advice.

I have just purchased an Aquastart 500 65l tank which will be housing tropical fish.

I have been told by the place I purchased it from to clean it and set up the filter first.

Tomorrow, I need to go back and buy the water to fill the tank up with (he called the water something specific, but I can't remember what), - they sell it in five gallon containers, and fit the heater.

Leave it a couple of days before I buy plants/rocks/gravel.

Then about a week later, I need to take in a water sample to have it tested before I buy any fish.

The place I purchased this from is very well established with seemingly very knowledgeable staff.

A few questions:

Cleaning the tank - just tap water?

Filling the tank - is it important to buy this water, as from reading through the forum, I've not read about anyone buying it yet!

I've seen a lot about cycling the tank, but does this apply to a new tank?

Some really noddy questions, but I'm totally new to this.

Cheers in advance.

Dan.

 

[stang1]

Hi Dan and welcome to the forum.
All new tanks need cycling so have a read of the pinned topics to get you started.
The water you mentioned is RO water (reverse osmosis) which is free from all impurities. It is only really needed for marine tanks or some people use it to lower the PH. Even then, it does have minerals added for whatever set up you have.
Tap water will be fine as long as you add a dechlorinator to rid the water of chlorine and chloramine. You should be able to get this from your lfs. It needs to be added when you fill the tank and when you do water changes.
The filter and heater can be added straight away as can sand/gravel and decor.
I hope that helps.

 

[CruX]

Hi guys, new to the forum but it's been recommended by a couple of people, so looking for some advice.

I have just purchased an Aquastart 500 65l tank which will be housing tropical fish.

I have been told by the place I purchased it from to clean it and set up the filter first.

Wash your gravel through until its nice and clean, then place it into the tank and decorate with plants and ornaments, set eveything up and fill up with water and switch on.

Tomorrow, I need to go back and buy the water to fill the tank up with (he called the water something specific, but I can't remember what), - they sell it in five gallon containers, and fit the heater.

Unless your tap water is really bad it should be treatable with a decholrinator such as aquasafe. No real need to buy it.

Leave it a couple of days before I buy plants/rocks/gravel.

I would buy them and assemble them now.

Then about a week later, I need to take in a water sample to have it tested before I buy any fish.

You need to cycle first, as you need to build up a bacteria colony that will convert toxic fish waste (ammonia) into toxic nitrites and then into relatively harmless nitrates. the only way to do this is by giving the bacteria something to feed on. Ideally you should do a fishless cycle as it's better for the fish and allows you to buy a fair amount of stock once you are cycled.

The place I purchased this from is very well established with seemingly very knowledgeable staff.

They depend on your custom so it is in their best interest to seem knowledgable and sell you lots of things. Although there are some great fish shop guys out there.

A few questions:

Cleaning the tank - just tap water?

There is a maintenence thred pinned on the newbie board, tells you every thing you need to know.

Filling the tank - is it important to buy this water, as from reading through the forum, I've not read about anyone buying it yet!

Personally I wouldn't. I am guessing it is RO water.

I've seen a lot about cycling the tank, but does this apply to a new tank?

YES, and it is actually the filter you cycle. Please do a fishless cycle.

Some really noddy questions, but I'm totally new to this.

You have come to the right place, take a deep breath and welcome to the wonderful art of fish keeping

Cheers in advance.

Dan.

You are very welcome.



Bear with me while I find you some links then I will come back and edit them in for you.

 

[rabbut]

Hi DJC1. First off, welcome to the forum!!
Next, the help you requested;

I have been told by the place I purchased it from to clean it and set up the filter first.

Sound so far. Use bleach and water to clean first. Wipe down with a sponge, then rince and rince and rince and rince........you get the idea.......

Tomorrow, I need to go back and buy the water to fill the tank up with (he called the water something specific, but I can't remember what), - they sell it in five gallon containers, and fit the heater.

I would fill the tank the same day, with tap water, rather than this special water (was this RO or revese osmosis water by any chance?) Just use tap water conditioner to make it safe for fish

Leave it a couple of days before I buy plants/rocks/gravel.

It is perfectly safe to add the decor at the same time as filling the tank

Then about a week later, I need to take in a water sample to have it tested before I buy any fish.

The water will be spot on, without you testing it to check. Theres nothing in there to bu**er it up yet. LOL Please see my note later on about adding fish.

I've seen a lot about cycling the tank, but does this apply to a new tank?

Cycling only applies to a new tank, or one that is having problems with its biological filter. I recomend that you do not add any fish after a week, rather run a fishless cycle. Please see the pinned topic at the top of the new to the hobby page for more information. Adding fish means you are running a fish-in cycle, and putting the lives of your new fish at risk.

Some really noddy questions, but I'm totally new to this.

The only noddy question, is the one not asked

HTH
rabbut

 

[DJC1]

Cheers for all the advice.

I'll give it a clean, fit the pump and heater, load it with gravel/decor and then fill it with tap water.

I got some 'Aqua One Water Conditioner' in with the tank, will this be what I need to get things going - it says 10ml per 60l...that doesn't seem like much!

 

[CruX]

Cheers for all the advice.

I'll give it a clean, fit the pump and heater, load it with gravel/decor and then fill it with tap water.

I got some 'Aqua One Water Conditioner' in with the tank, will this be what I need to get things going - it says 10ml per 60l...that doesn't seem like much!

Thats fine, mine is only 5ml per 10l. Although i just found some stuff in the car that gives you more squid for your quid. So to speak.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum. If you have not read the fishless cycling thread mentioned, i would highly recommend it. There is a link to it in my signature below. Good luck and remember, as Rabbut said, The only noddy question, is the one not asked.

 

[DJC1]

Cheers all, a couple of other questions.

Will it help to speed up the cycling process if I fill it with RO water for the first fill, and then use tap water whenever it needs a water cycle?

Also, the guy in the shop said I shouldn't have too many real plants in the tank (something to do with the filter)?

He also said that gravel is best to use, but I prefer the look of finer gravel, should this be ok?

Will be leaving shortly'ish to buy all the plants/decor/etc...so any advice on what is best to get will be helpful - it will be for a Aquastart 500 65l tropical tank.

Cheers.

 

[stang1]

It won't make any difference to the cycle whether you add tap water or RO water I'm afraid.
I'm not sure what the lfs man meant by not having too many plants because of the filter. Did he explain why that is?
You can plant as much as you like but need to take into account that a lot of plants can grow quite big and will bush out. You are best only adding a few and seeing how you get on, you can always add more at a later date.
Gravel or sand is fine, it's down to your own personal preference. As for decor, it's a case of seeing what you like the look of when you get to the store. If you like the natural look, then you can add rock, bogwood, cobbles etc. If you like the novelty look, then there are plenty of ornaments to choose from. A lot of your decor will also depend on what type of fish you plan to keep.

 

[DJC1]

Cheers stang.

Regarding the filter, he said something about how much the filter can handle?!?

I'll be going for a natural look tank, fish will eventually include neons, guppys, a fighting fish, pleco...probably the standard type fish for a first tank.

 

[alexpitcher]

Cheers all, a couple of other questions.

Will it help to speed up the cycling process if I fill it with RO water for the first fill, and then use tap water whenever it needs a water cycle?

Also, the guy in the shop said I shouldn't have too many real plants in the tank (something to do with the filter)?

He also said that gravel is best to use, but I prefer the look of finer gravel, should this be ok?

Will be leaving shortly'ish to buy all the plants/decor/etc...so any advice on what is best to get will be helpful - it will be for a Aquastart 500 65l tropical tank.

Cheers.

Hi DJC1 and welcome, I'm also going throught the cycling process fishless I might add.

RO water will not speed anything up, as everyone has already mentioned just check out the fishless cycling method and all you need to know is there, I have been following it and so far everything has worked like clockwork.

Gravel, when you buy substrate buy the gravel or sand that will best fit the type of enviroment for the fish you will be putting in there, always rinse it very thoroughy.

Plants or decor, don't worry about buying any plants at this time because there is a possiblity they will slow the cycling process of your aquarium down because plants feed of ammonia then nitrite then nitrate. Decor might be a good idea because it will make your tank a bit more interesting to look at.

Things to get, 1 ammonia test kit, 1 nitrite test kit and 1 nitrate test kit. These are your esential items and a must have as these will tell you when it is safe to add your fish without them suffering.

Plants, decor you can add them at the end of your tank cycling process when you do a water change.

Hope this helps

 

[stang1]

I wouldn't risk putting the fighting fish in with the neons and guppies. The neons will more than likely nip at the fighter and the fighter will attack your guppies as they are similar looking and he will see them as a threat. You could add a few female fighters but I wouldn't recommend a male.
Fighting fish are better off in a tank by themselves, they are a solitary fish so don't require other tankmates. You are also restricted as to what you can put in the tank with one because of the aggression, not only by him but by other tankmates.
You can by all means try it but you need to have a spare tank in case things don't work out. The other problem is that he may be fine at first but you constantly have to be on your guard for aggression. He could be fine for months but that could all change.
As for the Pleco, what type were you thinking of adding as some can get quite big? Plecos need to be placed in a mature tank so I would add this last.
Also, Neons prefer a mature tank as they are not very hardy so I'd wait a good few weeks before adding any of these.

 

[DJC1]

Noddy question - is substrate NOT gravel?I assume the fish shop will sell all of those testing kits?Pleco - whatever is advised as the best type for a 65l tank.Also, are there any recommended make of testing kit?

 

[stang1]

Substrate is gravel. he lfs should sell the test kits but make sure you buy the liquid one as they are more accurate. Test strips are cheaper but the readings are too inaccurate so you'll be wasting your money.
There is a pinned topic on Plecos 8" and under that should give you a better idea. The Bristlenose catfish is a favoured choice as they only grow up to 8" although any of the smaller ones should be ok. For that size tank you are best going for one that doesn't really exceed about 6" so there is a bit more choice. The best bet is when you go to your lfs, jot down the ones you like the look of and either ask on the board or check out Planetcatfish.com.

 

[alexpitcher]

API test kits are good if you can get them, failing that you can always ask your lfs (local fish supplier) to test your water but always remember to ask them to explain your results as most will say "water's fine mate", and yes substrate is gravel or sand or plant enhancing.