Please Help Need Direction

[shelley120861]

Can someone please tell me step by step how to set up my 50 gallon?  Also, how long it needs to cycle before adding fish?  Also, is it necessary to check tank (later down the road) for nitrates and nitrites?  I've had saltwater tanks in the past so I'm a little confused on how this all works.  It was 1993 when I last had a tropical tank.  Thanks!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Put in your decor.

Fill with dechlorinated water.

Turn on the heater to bring up to temp.

Follow the cycling article linked here: www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/


If this is the second hand tank, does it include the filter media and how recently has it had fish? It might just need a verification dose of ammonia, not actually to go through the entire cycling process.


Further, what are your water parameters? Unlike salt water, you need to keep in mind that the easiest plan is to keep fish that match your tap water parameters.


That's about it... Plant as much as you'd like. Stock once you get double zeros 24 hours after dosing ammonia. Water change 25% weekly as a minimum once stocked.

 

[shelley120861]

Thanks, so much!  I hate to say this, but when I had my tropical tank in 93', I never did water changes and never lost fish, never checked my params....did everything wrong!  This time I'm going to make a committment to do it right!  I rushed with my saltwater tanks and paid a hefty price because of doing so.  Not going to do that again.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks, so much!  I hate to say this, but when I had my tropical tank in 93', I never did water changes and never lost fish, never checked my params....did everything wrong!  This time I'm going to make a committment to do it right!  I rushed with my saltwater tanks and paid a hefty price because of doing so.  Not going to do that again.

 
 
You aren't alone.  The hobby has come a long way in terms of understanding the science behind fishkeeping.  You are already off to a great start. 

 

[shelley120861]

Thanks for the posts!  I've learned the hard way that fish keeping can be quite expensive if not done right!

 

[shelley120861]

Question....I just finished washing the gravel for my new set up.  As you recall, I purchased the tank and it was set up.  How "well" do I need to wash the artificial plants that were in the tank along with other accessories?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd give them a diluted bleach bath.

 

[shelley120861]

Thanks!  I could just throw them in the pool...lol!   What about the rock pieces that I have?  How would I clean them?  They have no algae or anything on them, just worried about getting them safely clean

 

[attibones]

Rocks, too, can be cleaned in the diluted bleach solution. You can also clean with white vinegar in water. 

 

[shelley120861]

Thanks!  That's an easy solution!

 

[Gruntle]

Also, is it necessary to check tank (later down the road) for nitrates and nitrites?

I usually check the nitrates every couple of weeks before a water change. Anything more than about 20ppm more than my tap water (let's say tap water is around 10ppm so 30ppm and more) dictates how big a water change I do, for me in a 200l tank, about 30ppm means a change of about 30%, if the nitrates are below 20ppm I usually do a 20% change.
 
If your tank cycles at the beginning you probably won't have to check for nitrites, I do it every couple of months and have never had a reading above 0ppm. Your fish behaviour will quickly indicate a problem with ammonia or nitrites.

 

[shelley120861]

Thank you!  This is a huge help!