New To Testing Levels

[Jonk]

Hi guys. I bought a 48 litre tank a couple of days ago and added heather and filter. This evening i tested the ph and ammonia levels and got 6.0 for the ph and 0 for ammonia. The temerature has been at a constant 25 celcius for the last 16 hours. Is it safe to add fish now?

I am slightly concerned as the tank and decor has lots of tiny bubbles around it and the water looks slightly murky. But from reading on the test kit instructions the ph and ammonia levels are good. Am i correct in saying nitrate and nitrite levels dont need to be checked until fish are added?

When i filled the tank i added a solution to remove chlorine and i also have a solution to add every 2 days for 2 weeks which is to aid the bacteria in the filter. I have added the first dose but have since been told not to add until i get some fish in there.

Any advice would be great.

Many thanks

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Let's start easy. Your pH is fine at 6.0, but make sure to do some research regarding which fish prefer to be at that low a pH. Second, your temp being stable is great. Again, check the temp parameters for the fish you intend to buy before you finalize your temp. The best answer I can give you is to use the middle temp of the range for the fish you are keeping. And of course, choose fish who have similar temp and pH preferences. For example, you wouldn't want to keep a cold water fish (goldfish) with a very warm weather fish (discus) it just wouldn't be good for either of them.


The air bubbles on everything is normal. The water in your pipes have a lot of gasses dissolved in it. When put into your tank, the pressure decreased and the gas is able to come out of the water. But, it takes a while for it to bubble out. It will clear eventually. Nothing to worry about with that.


Have a read through the beginner's resource center thread at the top of this forum. It is packed FULL of useful information. You will probably end up in information overload and start to see a few places where some of the advice seems a bit contradictory. Ask questions about anything and folks around here will be happy to assist you!


The question regarding are you ready for fish is an interesting one. Personally, I think that a fishless cycle is the best method for preparing the tank for fish. Others here feel the same way, although there are also some who are happy with a fish-in cycle. For me, beginners should go through a fishless cycle because there is so much to learn about the nitrogen cycle and failure to truly understand it can be detrimental to your fish. The product you have to "aid the bacteria" in the filter probably won't do a whole heck of a lot, if anything. Personally, I'd say to continue to use it during the fishless cycle, but don't trust it to keep your fish safe. I would recommend a fishless cycle. Get yourself some pure household ammonia and do a proper fishless cycle and your fish will thank you for it. Use the time of the fishless cycle to learn about the nitrogen cycle and to research what fish work best in your tap water parameters. You can also find out if you will need to add anything to help buffer your water to keep your pH stable.

 

[Jonk]

Thanks very much. As of this morning (Day 5) all bubbles have gone but the water has being murky for the last 2 days. Not excessive but just has a slight milky look to it. As yet there are no fish in there and I haven't disturbed the water either so am hoping it is normal for a new tank to go like this? I was planning on putting a couple of fish in tomorrow (day 6) but with the water looking slightly off am thinking it may be best to give it another few days.

I have been adding interpets filter start so wondered if this could be causing the problems?

 

[Jonk]

Just been reading other threads on here. This guys tank (first picture) looks like it has the same conditions as mine : Here

Could it be worth me doing a large (say 40-50%) water change today?

If so is it as simple as just draining out the required water, washing my filter sponges in that and then throwing away. Then filling a container with the same amount of water, adding my chlorine remover and a little warm water to get temp up, and then slowly adding it back?

Just checked now and the aquarium Ph level is 6.5 and my tap water level is 6.0 so could it go straight in?

Thanks again guys

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would really recommend you do a fishless cycle, according to the directions in the link I posted above. The cloudiness you see is normal... called a bacterial bloom. Nothing to worry about. It will clear in a few days. No need for a water change.


The method you are describing for the water change would be fine. But, at this point, there is absolutely no reason to touch the filter sponges. They aren't dirty at all yet, as there is nothing (like fish or added ammonia) to soil them.


The pH increase from tap water is normal. CO2 is usually in the tap water as carbonic acid. When it gasses off, the pH will rise slightly. This is why we suggest people let their tap water sit for 24 hours before testing it. This helps to determine the PROPER pH, after the gasses have all bubbled out.


Please don't get fish tomorrow, until you have read through the beginner's resource center thread that I linked. There is a wealth of knowledge there and a bunch to learn. It would be far easier on you and your (future) fish if you took the time of the cycling process to learn as much as you can, and research fish that do well in your tank's water parameters (like a 6.5 pH) that you enjoy and are appropriate for your tank. Many beginners fall into the trap of thinking that any fish from the LFS is suitable and can go with any other fish. Its just not true. Fish all have preferences for tankmates. Many of them prefer to be in shoals of at least 6, usually more. Other fish are semi-aggressive or aggressive and will destroy mild-mannered fish.

Make you first foray into fish keeping a successful and please follow the advice I am giving you about the reading you should do. I will benefit you greatly in the long run. Ultimately, those lessons are going to have to be learned one way or the other. You might as well learn them now, rather than learning them later the hard way.