Newbie Help

[MadMan-JaMeS]

I've got my tank 2 small water pumps and a heater,

i've got some paving sand for the bottom so how would i go about cleaning it ?

where can i buy a cheap testing kit to test the pH and the nitrates ?

what do i need to add to the water to help it cycle ?

basically i just need a begginers guide

Thanks

 

[Castellop123]

Cheers...

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Well, if you clean it like gravel you use a siphon, you need to add ammonia to the water to help it cycle link to cycling:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861
You need a test kit to test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and Ph, I'm sorry, but I live in Canada and I'm not sure where you can buy a cheap one.
You also need a filter, and do you have any ideas for fish? How big is your tank?

 

[modaz]

I'm afraid to tell you that paving sand is not really suitable for aquariums... Plain Silica sand or play sand would do!

Cheers...

have to agree....sorry
heres a link to help you set your tank up
http/newaquariuminformation.com/aquarium...uarium-fish.htm
good luck with it anyway and were always ready to help

for testing kits try
pets at home, or wyevale garden centers

mommyof2bettas....now dont be asking all the questions, leave some for us

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

I'm afraid to tell you that paving sand is not really suitable for aquariums... Plain Silica sand or play sand would do!

Cheers...

y not then ?

somebody i know has it and its fine for them ?

what kind of filter do i need a special one or just something with a sponge in it ?

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Any filter, I have heard an undergravel filter is bad but...
Not sure about the sand, I use gravel. But by the other's comments, it seems to be bad.

 

[modaz]

i know that sand is sand but you got to think where that sand has come from and what kind of **** is in it, ok your friend has used it but we were saying that its not a good idea rather than dont use it. its your choice at the end of the day
try a fluval filter they are pretty good with my sand but try not to have it touching the sand as it will just suck it up and suggestion to have it on slow output otherwise you will have a constant cloud of sand from the force of the output.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Any filter, I have heard an undergravel filter is bad but...
Not sure about the sand, I use gravel. But by the other's comments, it seems to be bad.

i'll take a pic of some things i got to go on the pumps n see what u think gimme a min tho

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Okay,

So this is the thing which goes on the bottom of the water pump.....

Pic 1
Pic 2

And this is the pump.....

Pic 1
Pic 2

here is a pic of inside that fitting that goes on the bottom of the pump.....

Pic 1

the pics ain't great just rushed on my phone....

as u can see it has a guard going across it...

will that be okay to turn ammonia into nitrite and into nitrates ?

or maybe putting a bit of sponge in their ?

Also how does a filter turn ammonia into nitrite and nitrates ?

Thanks

i know that sand is sand but you got to think where that sand has come from and what kind of **** is in it, ok your friend has used it but we were saying that its not a good idea rather than dont use it. its your choice at the end of the day
try a fluval filter they are pretty good with my sand but try not to have it touching the sand as it will just suck it up and suggestion to have it on slow output otherwise you will have a constant cloud of sand from the force of the output.

yer np m8

i rly don't want to have to buy a filter if i don't need to as i'm skint until next fri

and i won't have a filter on the bottom of tank ideally i'd like it a few inches above it

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Well, the ammonia is put in the tank, and in a couple of weeks bacteria that eat the ammonia build up in the filter. Now, these might get rid of the ammonia but they bring nitrites. After a couple more weeks more bacteria build up in the filter that eat the nitrites and turn them into nitrates. The nitrates shouldn't be kept too high though.

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Well, the ammonia is put in the tank, and in a couple of weeks bacteria that eat the ammonia build up in the filter. Now, these might get rid of the ammonia but they bring nitrites. After a couple more weeks more bacteria build up in the filter that eat the nitrites and turn them into nitrates. The nitrates shouldn't be kept too high though.

so basically a sponge in that bit of tube will catch the bacteria ?

so i don't actually need a filter ?

 

[modaz]

im not being rude, trust me on that but have your read the link i gave you regarding tank setups?

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

im not being rude, trust me on that but have your read the link i gave you regarding tank setups?

yeah sorry mate i was being ignorant and didn't click the link reading now !

 

[modaz]

im not being rude, trust me on that but have your read the link i gave you regarding tank setups?

yeah sorry mate i was being ignorant and didn't click the link reading now !

thats ok bud, ive use it even now and it seems to help me sometimes, hope its got wot your looking for

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

im not being rude, trust me on that but have your read the link i gave you regarding tank setups?

yeah sorry mate i was being ignorant and didn't click the link reading now !

thats ok bud, ive use it even now and it seems to help me sometimes, hope its got wot your looking for

yer still not sure tho if a piece of sponge will do to catch the bacteria tho ? save me buying another filter ?