New Tank - Help Please!

[tibby25731]

Hi

I've just bought a 60 litre tank. This is my first attempt at fishkeeping, and I am a little lost! I'm gonna put tropical fish in, not sure which yet.... but first, after reading up on here, i wanna do a fishless cycle. First question - I go on holiday in 2 weeks, so do I wait till I return to start doing this? Cos I presume that if I start cycling now, it will be almost ready just as i am going away, and the only way to keep things right would be to have someone come in and leep adding ammonia at the right levels - which ain't gonna happen!
Second question - I need to make sure I have all the right equipment. So, I have the tank, gravel and ornaments, a filter with heater and an overhead light. It's all set up already with water in - though I guess I may need to change all the water before i start cycling, as it will have been just sat there for 3 weeks by then? Yuck!
I have a start up kit that includes something that neutralises chlorine, though the general consensus seems to be that it is better to go for a dechlorinator instead - should I go out and buy this instead??
I also have a solution for getting rid of algae, but the fish are gonna like the algae aren't they? I have a magnet thing that will allow me to scrpae algae off the sides of the tank if it gets too much, so I am guessing it is best not to use this unless i has a real big algae problem?
Anyway, so i need to go get some ammonia, have read that here in the UK Boots sell it so will try there first! I will also ask my LFS for some filter media if I can. And I need a testing kit - can anyone in the UK recommend a good one?
So, is there anything vital i am missing?? Any help is really appreciated! I can't wait for everything to be ready so I can get some fish!

Laura

 

[pauly]

Hi Laura,

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new hobby

As it's your first time doing a cycle, I would say wait till you get back from your hols before starting it.

You seem to have all the right equipment (assuming the filter has the media inside?). There a few things you'll need in order to carry out your maintenance etc, such as tap water conditioner (dechlorinator), at least one new clean bucket that will be used solely for water changes (ie. dont go using to mop the floor), a net to use to put your fish in, a gravel cleaner of some sort (the manual syphons are usually the best).

You'll only get a load of algae with real plants (I think), I just use a glass cleaning pad to keep and algae away.

Boots sell it yeah, it's called Boots Household Ammonia (9.5% solution) and comes in a white plastic bottle. Homebase do a similar product I believe.

Get a liquid test kit, either API or Nutrafin that tests Ammonia, Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate. They can be pricey but they are essential and last for ages.

Good luck!

Paul.

 

[tibby25731]

Thanks! I have a gravel cleaner, but forgot about the net and bucket - these are definitely essential, thanks for reminding me! I'll be back on here in a few weeks when i start my cycle, asking for advice. Any reccommendations for some nice looking but easy to care for fish? We just want them to be brightly coloured or unusual looking, I plan to watch them for hours! Also, they should be quite cheap - I don't want to buy anything too pricey yet until i get the hang of this!

Laura

 

[rabbut]

Harlequin rasbora are a staple favorite amongst fish lovers all over. They are hardy, don't grow too large, and have spectacular colour when adult. They don't usualy look much in the shop though, but if you gie them time, they truly are little jems. They also have many many colour variants, and I belive they are a good fish to start breeding egglayers with too, though you might want a second opinion. There are also some nice tetras out there too, but some are hardier than others. Best thing to do with these, is look around your LFS, and come back to us with a list of the ones you like

HTH
Rabbut

 

[pauly]

Best thing to do with these, is look around your LFS, and come back to us with a list of the ones you like

Yup

 

[tibby25731]

Will do! Gotta wait in for a delivery on Saturday but as long as they turn up early enough I'm off to look at fish! Soooo excited....