New Tank Start Up Dilemma!

[rhian]

Hello all,

I thought I would ask your advice please. I have inherited a 86l tank from a friend (75cm long x 30cm wide x 38cm high), it came with a rena filstar xp1 filter, fluorescent light, heater and gravel. I have some questions about fishless cycling and the filter please. Everything was cleaned out, and I replaced all the filter foams, and the biochem zorb pouch (it had all gone off whilst the tank was not in use, so I got new filter media). I am restarting the aquarium from scratch.

As I am new to keeping tropical fish, I followed the instructions on the filter. Since buying all the media, I read somewhere that I might not need the biochem pouch, and that I shouldn't use the biochem zorb whilst I do the fishless cycle, is this true? I set up the tank and filter to see if it all worked, should I remove the pouch, and can I re-use it later?

The write up about the biochem zorb says it helps with a new aquarium start up, does this mean it will remove all the ammonia & nitrates? I assume I still need to do a fishless cycle? especially as I wouldn't want harm any fish. I was wondering if plants would be ok to add at this stage?

I put water treated with tetra aquasafe in the tank yesterday. I'd also be grateful if anyone can recommend a good water testing kit as well please.

thanks in advance

 

[rhian]

I did a bit more reading, apparently the 'biochem zorb' pouch is made of resins and clarifies the water, it removes impurities like medicines, colours and metals. So as I have hard water, then removing some of the limescale might be ok? It doesn't say it will affect the nitrogen cycle. So much info!!


I am going to buy some ammonia & test kits today to start the cycle - so I'll follow the excellent instructions on here

 

[Assaye]

The "biochem zorb" is likely to be either nitrazorb/zeolite, which removes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, or some kind of carbon mix that removes chemicals from the tank (such as meds). Could be a mix of both.

Either way, it is very unlikely that it'll do anything to make your water softer and as limescale is a build up on a surface, it won't remove that either.

With a fishless cycle, your aim is to build up a strong colony of nitrifying bacteria. Plants (which remove ammonia) and chemical filtration (such as this biochem zorb) are generally counter-productive to this aim. I suggest you go back to basics, stock your filter with basic floss, sponges and ceramic rings and start a fishless cycle from there.

Plants are also tricky because they need light and light + ammonia = lots of algae. Best to wait until after the cycle for those as well.

Do you have a source of ammonia for the fishless cycle?

As for test kits - you need a liquid test kit that contains tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness. I'd recommend the API Master kit but I know some people prefer kits by Nutrafin, Tetra, Sera or Salifert. If getting the Salifert ones (which are apparently the most accurate), you won't be able to get a master kit. With most kits, you'll need to get hardness seperately, although I think Nutrafin do a maga master test kit that has loads of other stuff in.

Just shop around but remember - get a liquid kit!

Check out this link for other cycling tips.

 

[rhian]

Thanks for your reply Assaye

I read conflicting advice online about the biochem zorb, the label isn't very descriptive. Yes, I think it is a zeolite mix. I was concerned that it would affect the fishless cycle (unfortunately after I put it in the filter!) so if I go that route, I will remove the pouch, I have extra foam pieces I can use. Thanks for making that clear

I saw the API master kit today, and although pricey, it looks much better value than the boxes of test strips, so I think I'll definitely get one, thanks for the tip

I have been reading this forum a lot, and I was about to begin the fishless cycle with ammonia (I think it's from from Boots in the UK) then I read up about the low tech/non CO2 planted aquarium approach....they both seem like great ideas, it's hard to decide!!!

Thanks for your help

 

[Assaye]

Both are great methods! The problem with a planted tank that doesn't use a mature/cycled filter is the risk if it going wrong. You need to have a few fish and lots of plants, and the plants ideally need to be fast growers and perfectly suited to your tank. If you get slow growers, they often won't use enough ammonia and if you take unsuitable plants they'll likely die and make everything worse. With a planted tank you don't have a back-up plan if your plants don't do the job or you over stock the tank.

I'd post in the planted tank section if you seriously want to go down this route.

 

[rhian]

Thanks Assaye - I see the limitations of the planted approach! especially for beginners. The ammonia fishless cycle would definitely be easier to cycle my filter, and measurements could be taken more accurately before keeping fish and adding plants. I did post in the planted aquarium section of the forum, and I think if I am careful with getting lots of low light plant species then the idea would work, as long as I didn't add many fish too soon (plus I'd have to buy fish that wouldn't eat my plants!). Well, the fishes welfare comes first.

I have a lot to think about, fishkeeping needs a lot of patience & preparation!!!! The planted method could take longer, as I'd have to make sure my plants were thriving before I added the fish. I would have to base my aquarium around the plants, then add appropriate fish.

Thanks again for all your help

 

[Assaye]

You got it! Patience and preparation. Sounds like you'll do really well in this hobby.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any more questions, just ask.