New Set Up

[Lesley]

Evening all,

We set up our tank on Tuesday - 97litres. The "experts" weren't particularly helpful at the shop - we had to ask for something to put the water right! They suggested Aquasafe.

Anyway - they wouldn't advise on water testing etc - just told us to take a jam jar of water along each time we wish to purchase fish?! The tank has been running constantly and the water is clear as a bell - temperature 26 degrees. As for ph levels we have no idea - the shop say they will test this.

I am a little concerned as they say we should be introducing our first fish tomorrow - they suggested Platys. Is this too early? I don't want to put the fish to an unecassary death. How long should we wait? Is tomorrow fine? How many fish should we introduce at first? The LFS (I learn fast) reckoned about 8! But looking at some of your fish stocks you don't have that many fish in your tanks - the bloke in the shop said we should be looking at between 40 - 50 fish eventually (kind of think we have been fed a load of bull).

Also two more questions - the air block - should these be running continually? Any advice for this would be greatly received. Also - the light - should this be on now - even though there are no fish in the tank? When the fish are introduced how long should the ligt be on?

If you can think of any other information please let me know.

Many many thanks in advance,

Lesley

 

[WILDER]

Welcome to the board, you could always try a fishless cycle where you don't have to use fish to cycle the tank, platys are quite hardy and are used for cycling the tank, but it takes it toll on the hardiest of fish, as it can take it's toll on the fish where it shuts there immune system down causing desease.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/beginner.htm

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=6756

 

[timmystood]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

What you've been told is similar to what I first got told.
Read what Wilder has given you about fishless cycling etc.

As for the lighting. It doesn't really need to be on now but when you add the fish it needs about 12-14 hours a day.

 

[platyfreek]

Welcome to the Forum!

i highly recomend a fishless cycle and even if you were going to use fish to cycle, 8 platies is way too many! (although platies are a good choice) if i were doing a cycle w/ fish I would use 2 or 3. If you are going to do a fishless cycle (highly recomended) you need soapless ammonia to add everyday. and yes the airstone should beon all the time.