Newb to everything.

[adoh30]

Hi and thanks for reading, I am an absolute beginner.

I have setup my tropical fish tank (it was a complete package which included all the filters (loads of sponges) heater, pump, hood and lights - it has been running fishless for two days now - the temp of the water has been checked and is ok - I have put 10 real plants in there, gravel (been washed) and some roman columns and stuff. I am at your entire mercy, so please be gentle.

I do not know what I am doing - in the fish tank instructions it suggested getting a few hardy fish after two days, so I went down to my local wyevale garden centre (who sell tropical fish) and she was horrified and said you can't put any fish in the tank for 3 weeks cause they will die - please help me.

what do I do, listen to the handbook or listen to the horrified woman in Wyevale garden centre??

By the way great forum

 

[LoachLover]

I'd let your tank run for 2 weeks before putting some hardy fish in. Sometimes longer depending on how the water quality is.

Welcome to the forum, hope we can help you get off on the right foot

 

[laboul]

Listen to the horrified woman Read the cycling posts on the beginner's forum, they will tell you how to cycle your tank with ammonia, not with fish. Letting your tank sit there won't do anything good, either.

I "cycled" my tank with fish and they died. It was awful. I think my guilt was worse than the anticipation of wanting to put something fun in the tank right away. Go get a test kit and have fun watching how the chemistry of your tank changes each week as you're cycling. It's cool. This gives you time to research the fish you want and make sure you're getting the right ones for you and for your tank.

Go read hte pinned articles about cycling your tank. Have fun!

 

[nuttyfishgirl]

ok another one to throw at you all ... my mete cycled his tank for nearly 4 weeks all readings were perfect and had been consistant for 2 days ... he used goldfish to start with to be on safe side (only 3 ) in a 120 litre tank and they survived 3 days ???