Substrate Questions

[Bev S.]

.

I am setting up a new tank (I've never done this before so I'm really new). It was recommended by my LFS that I use a natural calcite substrate for the bottom of the tank.

I rinsed it for a very long time and it is now in the tank with water (no fish yet). . . . it is very cloudy on day 2 (but less cloudy than it was yesterday). Further down the road, when I am replacing water, will the stirring up of all the "dusty" stuff hurt the fish? Did I not rinse it enough?

I'm figuring this out a little at a time . . . . . I'm finding it all a bit overwhelming.

Thanks . . .


Bev

 

[sylvia]

It's always a bit difficult to take everything in at first - but I promise you'll soon get the hang of it! Welcome to teh forum BTW.

First fo all - are you using de-chlorinated tap water? Get yourself a water conditioner if not.

Also buy a gravel vacuum (that'll solve your dust problem though it wouldn't have been dangerous - just unsightly - anyway).

Don't forget a test kit for ammonia, ntirIte and nitrAte.

Once you've done that, and have a filter, heater, lights etc and your tank set up and filled with water, you need to do a fishless cycle - so DON'T ADD FISH. Don't worry about that right now - just set up your tankf irst and then come back and read the links in my signature and ask any related questions

 

[mark.w.jones]

Id advise that you read all the articles at the top of the beginners forum before going too much further. Its also worth doing the same in the tropical chit chat and plant forums as well to give yourself a good overview of everything. Your best bet then is to fishless cycle your tank with ammonia solution. This link is the simplest and easiest to follow on here. Just follow the add and wait method:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...3861&hl=methods

You'll need.

1. A medicine dropper (in most fish meds)
2. Freshwater master water test kit with tests for ammonia NH3, nitrIte NO2 and nitrAte NO3. Aquarium Pharmaseuticals is good. http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z124268.asp £18.15 at bottom.
3. Ammonia solution. (In the UK, Homebase DIY store household cleaning section.)
4. Patience (Takes about 3 - 5 weeks, research fish while youre waiting).

It looks complicated by I was a complete beginner 6 months ago and did it fine.

Good Luck and welcome to the best fish forum on the net!!