New Tank

[oopsy]

Im picking up a 48x18x18 tank tomorow its not new and has been running until today with fish in.sooooo what do i need to do apart from pick it up and set it up?

 

[Davo86]

Im picking up a 48x18x18 tank tomorow its not new and has been running until today with fish in.sooooo what do i need to do apart from pick it up and set it up?

are you getting the filter with the tank? if so it should already be cycled

 

[oopsy]

yep external aqua one filter,heater and lights.no substrate though.im gonna get some sand.

 

[Davo86]

yep external aqua one filter,heater and lights.no substrate though.im gonna get some sand.

provided you don't touch the filter media and it is kept wet then once the water is dechlorinated and upto temp you should be able to add a couple of fish to keep the bacteria alive,

Then simply proceed to up the stocking gradually over the following few weeks

 

[oopsy]

will i need to tet the water?what should i be aiming for?
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ammonia 0?
that right?

 

[Davo86]

will i need to tet the water?what should i be aiming for?
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
ammonia 0?
that right?

Just thinking if the tank has been stripped down today then i guess that the current owner will have most likely either A) drained the water from the filter and B) thrown the mature pads or possibly even cleaned them,

In which case the filter will need to be cycled again.


If the filters pads have been untouched however you may notice a small spike for the first day or so before things level off again, (provided their is an ammonia source)

cyecled tank should have ammonia and nitrite readings of 0 and a relatively low nitrate level

 

[oopsy]

my nitrate reading for tap water (straight from the tap )is 25 is that really bad?

 

[oliesminis]

nitrate isnt the worst of your problems, you want to be aiming at less than 20

if you get some plants into your tank they should lower nitrate levels