New Tank.

[BeardyWxm]

Hello, im new to fish keeping, i bought myself a tank, a Marina Style 60 from Pets At home and set it up according to the instructions, also got a bag of stones for the bottom, and followed all those instructions, everything seems to be working perfectly, its been running for 6 days now, and im nearly ready to introduce my fish, but i have a few questions before i do so, firstly, what fish should i start with, and which ones will be compatible, secondly, it came with a pretty poor stick on thermometer which shows the temp at being 29 degrees  but im not confident its accurate, and the heater has a twist top to either a positive or negative symbol, so im guessing ill have to keep changing it until i get it right? 

Many thanks

 

[ncguppy830]

sounds like you havent cycled, thats a no no read this  http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/

 

[BeardyWxm]

There was nothing about this in the instructions, which is exactly why i came to this forum, thanks, i have read about cycling and this will be my next step, on first read it seemed a bit complicated but ill go over it again more throughly and give it a go.

 

[ncguppy830]

okay good, if you have any questions, obvisouly feel free to ask.

 

[BeardyWxm]

Thanks, as a beginner i just want to make sure i have a good enviroment for the fish, my friend has a tropical tank, could i use the sponge from his filter to transfer the 'good' bacteria to my tank?

 

[ncguppy830]

well yes but what size if is his tank, if its bigger than it would work.

 

[BeardyWxm]

my tank is a 60l his is a120l.

 

[ncguppy830]

ok then you should able to use filter sponge from his tank then,now after using it depending on your water parameters you could possibly finish cycling in a day since the tank is larger, but it depends on the parameters though.

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

If you do not trust the thermometer then you can always get a new one as well. Im not sure what brands you guys have or what tropical fish need to be in celcius, but my one this is dont use stick ons.
 
Welcome to the hobby of fish keeping! Im new as well!

 

[tmoney7]

I actually got a digital thermometer just because i am so picky about what the temp actually is and it was only $13 which to me did not seem like to bad of a price.  

 

[BeardyWxm]

Yeah iv ordered myself a new digital thermometer off Amazon, should be here soon, back to the cycling though, so i just use the water direct from his filter sponge and put it straight into my tank and leave it run for another day or two?

 

[ncguppy830]

yea just put the sponge in the filter and run it for 2 days to be sure. 

 

[Meeresstille]

I would get fish right away or the day after if you're going to add mature filter media to your filter. The bacteria in it will need food in form of Ammonia or fish waste otherwise it will die off!

 

[ncguppy830]

I would get fish right away or the day after if you're going to add mature filter media to your filter. The bacteria in it will need food in form of Ammonia or fish waste otherwise it will die off!

you wouldnt need to, you could just feed the tank fish food to simulate fish

 

[Meeresstille]

 

I would get fish right away or the day after if you're going to add mature filter media to your filter. The bacteria in it will need food in form of Ammonia or fish waste otherwise it will die off!

you wouldnt need to, you could just feed the tank fish food to simulate fish

 

That takes a few days to break down into ammonia. I don't understand, what exactly is the purpose of waiting to get fish if you've got mature filter media in the filter? You'd only know if the bacteria survived the transfer if you feed it, to see if it converts ammonia into Nitrite then Nitrate! Leaving it for two days won't tell you anything!