New Tropical Tank

[danb]

Hi,

I have just bought a jewel 240 rio with standard filter etc. I have set the tank up with just bogwood and gravel. The filter and heating have been running since sunday (2days), is there anything else i need to do before adding fish? can i add bacteria in the tank to build up before adding fish? What would be good tropical fish to start with and what temperature should i let the tank settle at? I live in Scotland, UK.

Cheers,
Danny

 

[Azeron]

mek sure its liek cycled or u fishes will diez!!!

In other words, get a test kit and make sure the tank is cycled.

 

[danb]

mek sure its liek cycled or u fishes will diez!!!

In other words, get a test kit and make sure the tank is cycled.

I have and will be testing tonight, ive run the heater on low and high for around 12 hours each so i can find a balance then will take water readings. What temperature should the tank be stable at? And what water readings for amonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph be?

 

[Harlequins]

You need to cycle your tank,have a read in the beginners section and read up on the nitrogen cycle,most people recommend a fishless cycle where you add ammonia into the tank.

Its not worth testing your water just yet has all reading will be zero.

Adding fish now in an uncycled tank will most likely cause fish death.

 

[danb]

You need to cycle your tank,have a read in the beginners section and read up on the nitrogen cycle,most people recommend a fishless cycle where you add ammonia into the tank.

Its not worth testing your water just yet has all reading will be zero.

Adding fish now in an uncycled tank will most likely cause fish death.

Yes i know, im not going to rush into anything, i have 6 coldwater fish doing great. How long should i leave it before i test the water? What temperature should i let the tank settle at please? Should i buy some filter bacteria?

Danny

 

[Harlequins]

Do you have fish in there at the moment?

Temperature depends what fish you intend on keeping,but normally around 24-27 degrees.

Bottled bacteria isn't much good to be honest.

If you do a fishless cycle you better off having the temp around 28-30 degrees,then turn it down once completed.

 

[waterdrop]

The two species of beneficial bacteria you need to create a working biofilter don't come in bottles, you have to grow them. It takes sometimes a couple of months but after that the filter kit will be ready to handle fish. This, in my opinion, is one of the best forums to be in for help in doing this sometimes tricky process.

The 3 most important things to get started with, continuing the above conversation, is to find a good liquid-reagent based test kit. Many of us like and use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, although there are others too. The Nutrafin and Tetra kits are probably ok, the Salifert individual tests are probably even better than the API ones. Secondly, you need to start the search for pure household ammonia. That can be an adventure and the members enjoy hearing of your search and where you do or don't find the right stuff! The right type stuff to look for is mentioned in our fishless cycling article too. Thirdly, as said, go ahead and raise your tank temp to 84F/29C as a good warm temperature for the bacterial growing soup! After you get your kit, post up your tap and tank results.

During the long weeks of fishless cycling most beginners simultaneously work on the also long process of building a good stocking plan. It can take a fair amount of homework to come up with the right fish in the right numbers to both suit your desires and also have the fish be able to live with themselves and each other. All this stuff I'm talking about can sound very slow and disappointing to beginners who have just set out hoping to have a pretty tank in a week but believe me, the truly lucky thing is falling in with a bunch of real hobbyists who can steer you clear of losing all your fish on the first go'round.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Harlequins]

The two species of beneficial bacteria you need to create a working biofilter don't come in bottles, you have to grow them. It takes sometimes a couple of months but after that the filter kit will be ready to handle fish. This, in my opinion, is one of the best forums to be in for help in doing this sometimes tricky process.

The 3 most important things to get started with, continuing the above conversation, is to find a good liquid-reagent based test kit. Many of us like and use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, although there are others too. The Nutrafin and Tetra kits are probably ok, the Salifert individual tests are probably even better than the API ones. Secondly, you need to start the search for pure household ammonia. That can be an adventure and the members enjoy hearing of your search and where you do or don't find the right stuff! The right type stuff to look for is mentioned in our fishless cycling article too. Thirdly, as said, go ahead and raise your tank temp to 84F/29C as a good warm temperature for the bacterial growing soup! After you get your kit, post up your tap and tank results.

During the long weeks of fishless cycling most beginners simultaneously work on the also long process of building a good stocking plan. It can take a fair amount of homework to come up with the right fish in the right numbers to both suit your desires and also have the fish be able to live with themselves and each other. All this stuff I'm talking about can sound very slow and disappointing to beginners who have just set out hoping to have a pretty tank in a week but believe me, the truly lucky thing is falling in with a bunch of real hobbyists who can steer you clear of losing all your fish on the first go'round.

~~waterdrop~~

You put words much better than me WD

 

[MoneyMitch]

The two species of beneficial bacteria you need to create a working biofilter don't come in bottles, you have to grow them. It takes sometimes a couple of months but after that the filter kit will be ready to handle fish. This, in my opinion, is one of the best forums to be in for help in doing this sometimes tricky process.

The 3 most important things to get started with, continuing the above conversation, is to find a good liquid-reagent based test kit. Many of us like and use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, although there are others too. The Nutrafin and Tetra kits are probably ok, the Salifert individual tests are probably even better than the API ones. Secondly, you need to start the search for pure household ammonia. That can be an adventure and the members enjoy hearing of your search and where you do or don't find the right stuff! The right type stuff to look for is mentioned in our fishless cycling article too. Thirdly, as said, go ahead and raise your tank temp to 84F/29C as a good warm temperature for the bacterial growing soup! After you get your kit, post up your tap and tank results.

During the long weeks of fishless cycling most beginners simultaneously work on the also long process of building a good stocking plan. It can take a fair amount of homework to come up with the right fish in the right numbers to both suit your desires and also have the fish be able to live with themselves and each other. All this stuff I'm talking about can sound very slow and disappointing to beginners who have just set out hoping to have a pretty tank in a week but believe me, the truly lucky thing is falling in with a bunch of real hobbyists who can steer you clear of losing all your fish on the first go'round.

~~waterdrop~~

Now there are products out there that WILL Encourage the cycle to start. When you say fishless cycle first thing that comes to mind is WHY!!! Most fish out there CAN handle the cycle process just fine as long as the keeper keeps up on the water changes and keeps a eye on the levels, Not to mention a Fish In cycle takes less time. IMHO a newbie should do the Fish-In cycle so they can get into the routine of w/c and using their water conditioner.

If for some odd reason you decide to go with the fishless cycle bump your temp up to about 80-82 to help speed things up. If the fish you are refering to are goldfish as long as you slowly add them all will be well and i guarantee they will last throu8gh the cycle, i mean after all who wants to stare at a empoty tank for 8-12 weeks? Not me.

 

[danb]

The two species of beneficial bacteria you need to create a working biofilter don't come in bottles, you have to grow them. It takes sometimes a couple of months but after that the filter kit will be ready to handle fish. This, in my opinion, is one of the best forums to be in for help in doing this sometimes tricky process.

The 3 most important things to get started with, continuing the above conversation, is to find a good liquid-reagent based test kit. Many of us like and use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, although there are others too. The Nutrafin and Tetra kits are probably ok, the Salifert individual tests are probably even better than the API ones. Secondly, you need to start the search for pure household ammonia. That can be an adventure and the members enjoy hearing of your search and where you do or don't find the right stuff! The right type stuff to look for is mentioned in our fishless cycling article too. Thirdly, as said, go ahead and raise your tank temp to 84F/29C as a good warm temperature for the bacterial growing soup! After you get your kit, post up your tap and tank results.

During the long weeks of fishless cycling most beginners simultaneously work on the also long process of building a good stocking plan. It can take a fair amount of homework to come up with the right fish in the right numbers to both suit your desires and also have the fish be able to live with themselves and each other. All this stuff I'm talking about can sound very slow and disappointing to beginners who have just set out hoping to have a pretty tank in a week but believe me, the truly lucky thing is falling in with a bunch of real hobbyists who can steer you clear of losing all your fish on the first go'round.

~~waterdrop~~

Now there are products out there that WILL Encourage the cycle to start. When you say fishless cycle first thing that comes to mind is WHY!!! Most fish out there CAN handle the cycle process just fine as long as the keeper keeps up on the water changes and keeps a eye on the levels, Not to mention a Fish In cycle takes less time. IMHO a newbie should do the Fish-In cycle so they can get into the routine of w/c and using their water conditioner.

If for some odd reason you decide to go with the fishless cycle bump your temp up to about 80-82 to help speed things up. If the fish you are refering to are goldfish as long as you slowly add them all will be well and i guarantee they will last throu8gh the cycle, i mean after all who wants to stare at a empoty tank for 8-12 weeks? Not me.

Thank you for all your replies guys, i wont be having goldfish, i already have a few of them so i am going for tropical this time. When i am ready to put fish in, what temperature should i have the tank at? Also, what would be a good tropical fish to get the tank started? a "hardy" fish it says in the filter and tank manual.

Danny

 

[MoneyMitch]

The two species of beneficial bacteria you need to create a working biofilter don't come in bottles, you have to grow them. It takes sometimes a couple of months but after that the filter kit will be ready to handle fish. This, in my opinion, is one of the best forums to be in for help in doing this sometimes tricky process.

The 3 most important things to get started with, continuing the above conversation, is to find a good liquid-reagent based test kit. Many of us like and use the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, although there are others too. The Nutrafin and Tetra kits are probably ok, the Salifert individual tests are probably even better than the API ones. Secondly, you need to start the search for pure household ammonia. That can be an adventure and the members enjoy hearing of your search and where you do or don't find the right stuff! The right type stuff to look for is mentioned in our fishless cycling article too. Thirdly, as said, go ahead and raise your tank temp to 84F/29C as a good warm temperature for the bacterial growing soup! After you get your kit, post up your tap and tank results.

During the long weeks of fishless cycling most beginners simultaneously work on the also long process of building a good stocking plan. It can take a fair amount of homework to come up with the right fish in the right numbers to both suit your desires and also have the fish be able to live with themselves and each other. All this stuff I'm talking about can sound very slow and disappointing to beginners who have just set out hoping to have a pretty tank in a week but believe me, the truly lucky thing is falling in with a bunch of real hobbyists who can steer you clear of losing all your fish on the first go'round.

~~waterdrop~~

Now there are products out there that WILL Encourage the cycle to start. When you say fishless cycle first thing that comes to mind is WHY!!! Most fish out there CAN handle the cycle process just fine as long as the keeper keeps up on the water changes and keeps a eye on the levels, Not to mention a Fish In cycle takes less time. IMHO a newbie should do the Fish-In cycle so they can get into the routine of w/c and using their water conditioner.

If for some odd reason you decide to go with the fishless cycle bump your temp up to about 80-82 to help speed things up. If the fish you are refering to are goldfish as long as you slowly add them all will be well and i guarantee they will last throu8gh the cycle, i mean after all who wants to stare at a empoty tank for 8-12 weeks? Not me.

Thank you for all your replies guys, i wont be having goldfish, i already have a few of them so i am going for tropical this time. When i am ready to put fish in, what temperature should i have the tank at? Also, what would be a good tropical fish to get the tank started? a "hardy" fish it says in the filter and tank manual.

Danny

For "most" tropical fish out there they prefer anywhere from 76-80 F. There are many hardy fish out there, Great starter fish are mainly "livebears" such as any type of mollie guppie and things along that line.

 

[arobinson1984]

Now there are products out there that WILL Encourage the cycle to start. When you say fishless cycle first thing that comes to mind is WHY!!! Most fish out there CAN handle the cycle process just fine as long as the keeper keeps up on the water changes and keeps a eye on the levels, Not to mention a Fish In cycle takes less time. IMHO a newbie should do the Fish-In cycle so they can get into the routine of w/c and using their water conditioner.

If for some odd reason you decide to go with the fishless cycle bump your temp up to about 80-82 to help speed things up. If the fish you are refering to are goldfish as long as you slowly add them all will be well and i guarantee they will last throu8gh the cycle, i mean after all who wants to stare at a empoty tank for 8-12 weeks? Not me.

I'm sorry but I don't agree whatsoever and you wont find many that do agree with a fish-in cycle on a fish hobbyist forum. Especially when a fishless cycle is still an option.

As a fish hobbyist, the fishes health and welfare should be put first, so in what one way is doing a fish in cycle putting the fishes health first?

Also a fish-in cycle doesn't neccessary take any longer at all, and by doing a fish-in cycle due to impatience is purely selfish.

Why put a fish through any risk at all by doing a fish-in cycle? Also you cant keep fish away from all harmful substances by water changes or do you not go to sleep on a night?

Andy

 

[rustyspurs]

Hi,

I have just bought a jewel 240 rio with standard filter etc. I have set the tank up with just bogwood and gravel. The filter and heating have been running since sunday (2days), is there anything else i need to do before adding fish? can i add bacteria in the tank to build up before adding fish? What would be good tropical fish to start with and what temperature should i let the tank settle at? I live in Scotland, UK.

Cheers,
Danny

hi mate
ive just finished cycling my 1st tank which took about a month
i had zebra danios in from the start and with 20 % daily water changes they were fine.
being total newbie i also had 2 bala sharks, an angel and neon tetras
not good idea, luckily i didnt lose any,
id start with couple of zebra danios so u have something to look at while u cycle
good luck

 

[MoneyMitch]

Now there are products out there that WILL Encourage the cycle to start. When you say fishless cycle first thing that comes to mind is WHY!!! Most fish out there CAN handle the cycle process just fine as long as the keeper keeps up on the water changes and keeps a eye on the levels, Not to mention a Fish In cycle takes less time. IMHO a newbie should do the Fish-In cycle so they can get into the routine of w/c and using their water conditioner.

If for some odd reason you decide to go with the fishless cycle bump your temp up to about 80-82 to help speed things up. If the fish you are refering to are goldfish as long as you slowly add them all will be well and i guarantee they will last throu8gh the cycle, i mean after all who wants to stare at a empoty tank for 8-12 weeks? Not me.

I'm sorry but I don't agree whatsoever and you wont find many that do agree with a fish-in cycle on a fish hobbyist forum. Especially when a fishless cycle is still an option.

As a fish hobbyist, the fishes health and welfare should be put first, so in what one way is doing a fish in cycle putting the fishes health first?

Also a fish-in cycle doesn't neccessary take any longer at all, and by doing a fish-in cycle due to impatience is purely selfish.

Why put a fish through any risk at all by doing a fish-in cycle? Also you cant keep fish away from all harmful substances by water changes or do you not go to sleep on a night?

Andy

wow you got to be kidding me, have you not heard of the products Cycle or Products that are PROVEN to have dormant bacteria in them that are brought out of statis when the correct conditions are met? and your saying a fish in cycle is harmful for fish? sorry, not in my experience in my 5 years+ of fish keeping Ive lost maybe 3 fish due to cycle which was in my very first tank. it depends on what your going to have in the tank. now if you want discus obviously you don't use them to cycle. but 75% of the fish out there can handle it fine, my tanks are LIVING proof lol. having a empty 55gal+ aquarium in your living room isnt exactly appealing at least to me it isnt. why would you try to CHEAT natures way? and you CAN keep fish away from harmfull substances as long as the FISH KEEPER does his w/c and doesn't add ridiculous things to his aquarium. and how does not going to sleep at night have ANYTHING to do with w/c? its not like you do them every waking minute. I also forgot to mention the importance of plants in a cycle even like 3 and your tank will instantly cycle. now if you would like to debate on that topic please feel free but be ready cause i know my stuff in and out.

Forgot to add, on my home forum EVERYONE there recommends a fish in cycle, i could recruit them here to submit feedback on here sometime if you like~

 

[Joshi39]

In my opinion i dont think it matters whether yu cycle your tank or not?! I have recently (3weeks ago) set up my three foot tank after owning a two foot for 2 months, everything brand new including external filter, let filter run for 4 days before i brought some guppies and wacked them in, after two days i added a tormented electric yellow than closely followed by redtail shark and albino shark! Now 3 weeks on without doing a fish in or fishless cycle i have two green terrors, two electric yellows two peppermint bristlenose albino shark redtail shark and a BGKF all in the tank and my green terrors have laid their first eggs!!!! i tested my water on the weekend just gone and everythin was fine although ammonia was up 0.05ppm which obviously didnt bother the fish!!! So are there people out there testing the waterways for all these bad things that can "kill" fish??? i dont think so, so i dont see why its such a great deal that everyone needs to do this cycle? im so over hearing cycle this and cycle that, who the hell cycled the waterways??? pretty sure if u went and got water from the locals of each breed of fish im sure the water would most definately not be perfect!!!!!! so why make our aquariums with perfect water?? we are putting fish into a restricted space and in most peoples eyes are "making it safe for them by doing a cycle!!" isnt putting them into a restricted space enough??, what happens if they dont like the perfet water??? Than im prettty sure we are doing wrong by the fish correct To this day i have not done a cycle on either of my two taanks and i have not had one fish dye!!!

Thats my opinion about cycling and before yu go off and blast me everyone is entitled to their opinion!!!!