Newbee With Silly Basic Questions

[Olgit]

Hi all
 
My only previous experience of fish keeping was when a made a rather large pond. It was a huge learning curve. And I don't want to make any mistakes now that I have a brand new (and rather modest) Wave 30 in which to keep tropical fish. 
 
I've done the start up as per the idiot list in the manufacturers blurb. I now have a nice looking little tank full of plants, bio starter and the rest.
 
But I have some questions which might seem a tad stupid to you experienced lot.......
 
1. Filter output. The little tube with holes in it. Are the holes best facing downward, upward or sideways? Should the bar be above or below the water?
 
2. Salt. Do I add any salt (or anything else) to the water to promote good fish health?
 
3. Starter fish. I'm going to select fish which don't grow beyond 3cm or so. I really want very colourful fish like Neon or Cardinal Tetras. Are they resilient enough to thrive in a newly set up tank? Or should I go for some tougher fish to start? Preferably colourful?
 
Any advice gratefully accepted.
 
 
 
 

 

[Ninjouzata]

to TFF! Hope you enjoy it here.
 
1) I have mine pointed slightly upward to make more ripples on the surface.
 
2) No, the only time salt should be used in freshwater is when medicating for something like ich.
 
3) Not really an answer for this due to what I'm about to put below.
 
Before adding any fish I strongly suggest cycling the tank by following THIS. You'll want to pick up some ammonia and a liquid test kit.
 
Please do give that article a few reads, it may take some time for it to sink in and it seems complex at first but it's not.
Your fish will be much better off if you do this and it allows you to stock in one go and is much quicker than doing fish-in.
 
Is your water hard or soft? What are the dimensions of the tank? From google the tank looks like a cube. This can limit your stocking a bit as most fish prefer a longer tank.

 

[paradiddle]

+1 for the fishless cycle, very easy to do, you wont harm any fishies in the process and if done properly, you can fully stock your tank right away when its done (after you do a 100% water change ofcourse )

 

[ShinySideUp]

In a 30 litre tank you cannot keep anything that grows to 3 cm, it is too small. The best you can do is some shrimp otherwise it would be like keeping a dog full-time in a bathroom.

 

[Alasse]

Fishless cycling is recommended....not what i do personally, but anyway others can touch on that
 
A betta wont mind a 30L tank. You can also have some micro/nano fish....if you do a google search, suggestions will pop up for you. Shrimp are also another good choice, or a mix of shrimp and a nano fish species

 

[Mamashack]

I was going to suggest a betta too! My 30L has one adult male and 3 amano shrimp and snails
Definitely go for the fishless cycle - it should be completed in a matter of weeks whereas a fish-in cycle takes several months and is not very good for the fish and is labour intensive i.e. lots of testing and water exchanges daily if not more frequently. Fishless cycling does require patience for a month or so but then it's the best feeling in the world when you stock the tank knowing that the fish are going to be fine all being well.

 

[Alasse]

Definitely go for the fishless cycle - it should be completed in a matter of weeks whereas a fish-in cycle takes several months and is not very good for the fish and is labour intensive i.e. lots of testing and water exchanges daily if not more frequently.  Fishless cycling does require patience for a month or so but then it's the best feeling in the world when you stock the tank knowing that the fish are going to be fine all being well.

Fish in cycling doesnt take that much longer than fishless actually. It just requires a bit more effort and dedication. 

You've contridicted yourself there if i read correctly....."fishless cycle - it should be completed in a matter of weeks whereas a fish-in cycle takes several months"  then "Fishless cycling does require patience for a month or so"

Fish in cycling also is not harmful to the fish, providing it is done correctly! Like anything to do with fish really

 

[Mamashack]

Well in my mind a month is a few weeks but I'm not going to argue. You clearly think fish-in is ok - I don't - we disagree, but that's ok. This forum is bound to have diversity of opinion.

 

[the_lock_man]

 

Definitely go for the fishless cycle - it should be completed in a matter of weeks whereas a fish-in cycle takes several months and is not very good for the fish and is labour intensive i.e. lots of testing and water exchanges daily if not more frequently.  Fishless cycling does require patience for a month or so but then it's the best feeling in the world when you stock the tank knowing that the fish are going to be fine all being well.

Fish in cycling doesnt take that much longer than fishless actually. It just requires a bit more effort and dedication. 

You've contridicted yourself there if i read correctly....."fishless cycle - it should be completed in a matter of weeks whereas a fish-in cycle takes several months"  then "Fishless cycling does require patience for a month or so"

Fish in cycling also is not harmful to the fish, providing it is done correctly! Like anything to do with fish really
 

 
 

Well in my mind a month is a few weeks but I'm not going to argue. You clearly think fish-in is ok - I don't - we disagree, but that's ok. This forum is bound to have diversity of opinion.

 
 
Now, now, ladies, let's not get into an argument - I think you're both in agreement, really, in that it is far, far easier to get a fish-in cycle wrong, and the consequences of getting a fish-in cycle wrong are far worse, and for that reason, a fishless cycle is always recommended over a fish-in. Especially to someone new to the hobby.

 

[Mamashack]

Moi? Never a cross word was said!

 

[Alasse]

There was no argument that i seen, and certainly did not intend it that way Just stating the other side of the fence.
 
I did actually recommend fishless cycle (just sidenoted that fish in CAN be done safely if done right)

 

[the_lock_man]

In which case, all is good.