ArizonaAngel
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2007
- Messages
- 6
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Hi Everyone
I was so excited to find your site. Finally somewhere I can get real facts.
Well heres my story.....
About 5 or 6 months ago I started wanting an aquarium. I figured it would be something relaxing after a long day in the real world. I also know there is alot of work involved. So I started doing some research, and as you will see later on I was looking in the wrong places. So around 2 months ago we picked up a 29 gallon tank kit when it was on sale. I was so stoked finally our first purchase on our new hobby. My husband didnt feel the stands would hold that much weight so he desided to make the stand himself. A few weeks later we went back to "the big city" and I picked up gravel, some plants (fake), a medium sized "hiding place" and some water conditioner. After he gets the stand done we get the tank cleaned and centered on the stand. I rinsed the gravel and placed it and began filling it up. About half way full I added the rinsed plants and hiding place then continued filling it. I got everything hooked up and started. Heres where some of you are going to hate me but my tank was started on 1/30/07 and stocked 2/1/07. I honestly did not know (even after all of my research) that the tanks needed to cycle and for about 6 weeks. I dont even have a testing kit and I cant get one for at least a week and a half unless something happens and we have to go to the "big city". Anyway after I ran the tank for 2 days I got an aerator, another hiding place, a few more plants, and FISH. The fish consised of 6 neon tetras, 1 male guppy, 3 female guppies, and a cory. One of the guppies was pregnant and I didnt know it. She started giving birth on 2/9/07. I cleaned and added my new plants, aerator, and hiding places while I was getting the fish used to the tank water. I figured if I spoke with the person at Petsmart they would help if I was doing something wrong. I told them it had only been running for 2 days, I asked them if there was anything I needed besides what the kit came with, etc. I told them that the heater had been keeping the water at 78 degrees since it was started. I told them I was looking at having a community tank and what I wanted for fish and what I wanted to add later on. The only thing that they recomended was a gravel vacuum, they didnt tell me it was to soon to add fish, he didnt tell me that one of the guppies I wanted was pregnant, and said nothing about adding to many fish at once. All of this I have found out once I found your site, so thank you. So far all the fish are doing great, including the babies that havent been eaten yet. I have no place to separate them, but am hoping to get a "maternity ward" soon -- as my other guppies are now showing signs of pregnancy. I will however cycle this tank the way its suppose to be done. I am sure I will have alot of dumb questions but I will try to keep that at a minimum
I was so excited to find your site. Finally somewhere I can get real facts.
Well heres my story.....
About 5 or 6 months ago I started wanting an aquarium. I figured it would be something relaxing after a long day in the real world. I also know there is alot of work involved. So I started doing some research, and as you will see later on I was looking in the wrong places. So around 2 months ago we picked up a 29 gallon tank kit when it was on sale. I was so stoked finally our first purchase on our new hobby. My husband didnt feel the stands would hold that much weight so he desided to make the stand himself. A few weeks later we went back to "the big city" and I picked up gravel, some plants (fake), a medium sized "hiding place" and some water conditioner. After he gets the stand done we get the tank cleaned and centered on the stand. I rinsed the gravel and placed it and began filling it up. About half way full I added the rinsed plants and hiding place then continued filling it. I got everything hooked up and started. Heres where some of you are going to hate me but my tank was started on 1/30/07 and stocked 2/1/07. I honestly did not know (even after all of my research) that the tanks needed to cycle and for about 6 weeks. I dont even have a testing kit and I cant get one for at least a week and a half unless something happens and we have to go to the "big city". Anyway after I ran the tank for 2 days I got an aerator, another hiding place, a few more plants, and FISH. The fish consised of 6 neon tetras, 1 male guppy, 3 female guppies, and a cory. One of the guppies was pregnant and I didnt know it. She started giving birth on 2/9/07. I cleaned and added my new plants, aerator, and hiding places while I was getting the fish used to the tank water. I figured if I spoke with the person at Petsmart they would help if I was doing something wrong. I told them it had only been running for 2 days, I asked them if there was anything I needed besides what the kit came with, etc. I told them that the heater had been keeping the water at 78 degrees since it was started. I told them I was looking at having a community tank and what I wanted for fish and what I wanted to add later on. The only thing that they recomended was a gravel vacuum, they didnt tell me it was to soon to add fish, he didnt tell me that one of the guppies I wanted was pregnant, and said nothing about adding to many fish at once. All of this I have found out once I found your site, so thank you. So far all the fish are doing great, including the babies that havent been eaten yet. I have no place to separate them, but am hoping to get a "maternity ward" soon -- as my other guppies are now showing signs of pregnancy. I will however cycle this tank the way its suppose to be done. I am sure I will have alot of dumb questions but I will try to keep that at a minimum
