New, Advice Appreciated

[danwill15]

hi all,

im very new to this. i recently got a Fluval "Roma" (200 L) tank set up with Fluval 205 filter. it's all set up but im doing as i was told and leaving it for a few weeks to get everything as it should be, bacteria, water quality etc. it's been set up a week now and i carried out a water test just to have a practice really!! everything is fine according to the test kit i have, apart from GH and KH, the water seems really hard still, is there an additive i can use if the level doesent change? or is this normal?

i just hope i dont do anything wrong!! so any advice would be appreciated. tips on water quality, choosing fish and general aquarium care.

thanks

dan

 

[SJ2K]

Fraid im no expert on altering water hardness but id like to say,

Welcome Aboard

 

[**sarahp**]

Hi welcome aboard

From what you've said I reckon you went to your lfs (local fish shop) or Pets at Home and they told you to go home set it all up, run it for a while then come back for some hardy fish - right??

WRONG!!!

Sorry dont be offended nearly everyone is given bum advice at the lfs. Read the pinned topics at the top of this board on fishless cycling. If there is anything you dont understand come back and ask us - we're all pretty friendly really

Oh - and it sounds like you have the 5 in 1 test strips - sorry but they aren't that good. They dont test for ammonia- probably the most important thing to test for in the early months of this hobby!!!

Just read that back - it doesnt sound very positive - sorry - but at least you dont have fish yet - that would be even worse - was that more positive

 

[Tobigara]

as far as the hardness of your water the best thing you can do is find fish that match your water parameters. i think ammonia and nitrite will soften the water a tiny little bit but don't quote me on that. wait for an expert.

when you say you are waiting a couple weeks to put fish in, does that mean you are putting ammonia in? leaving the tank running for weeks will do nothing for the bacteria you need unless you give the bacteria something to eat and grow on.

try reading this on fishless cycling: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

good luck and welcome aboard

 

[danwill15]

thanks for the advise, at least you all know what your talking about!!

i will read about that in a bit.

thanks again

dan