New Tank Setup

[alleggerita]

It's just a 2-feet tank, and I have some plants in it. About enough plants to cover half the "land area" of my tank. But I only have a very simple mechanical filter setup using sponge like material as the filter. The openings are rather big, so small particles still float in my tank water. Will my plants be able to survive? I cycled my tank for about 1 week plus, and I added a few neon tetras and one otocinclus. I don't know if they can survive.

I am intending on getting a few cherry shrimps too, but I heard I must cycle my tank for at least 6 weeks before introducing cherry shrimps? If I am using the mechanical filter, do I need to change the filter material regularly or keep it dirty so that beneficial bacteria can grow? And does those "bio bacteria solution" work? Heard it doesn't work. I'm currently using one of those.

 

[djl08]

Neons shouldnt be added to a new tank, ive read that you should wait 6 - 8 weeks after the cycle has finished to add them (the cycle takes 3 - 6 weeks itself). It would be helpful to you to visit the beginners resource center.

As for the filter, no dont change the media, doing this will lose you any bacteria that have grown on it.

Most people on here will tell you that those 'bacteria in a bottle' products will not work, better off buying a bottle of ammonia and doing it properly.

-Dj-