Setting up a new tank

[Seasand]

Hi to all. ( just Joined !!:))

Can some-one please help?

I`ve just bought a new tank L 54" x W 12" x H 18" ( 42 gal UK ) or (50 Gls US )
Tetretec EX700 External Filter ( 700 litres p/h )

1. I`m going to do a fish-cycle and would like advice on how many fish to start off with in this setup?

2. Can I add more gravel after the fish-cycle has finished? ( Didn`t buy enough and I live on an island, hard to get to a pet shop!! :( )

3. I bought the API Freswater Master Test Kit, is there any recomended treatments that I should also have in my cabinet?

Thanks to all in advance!!

[Coler]

Have you read this : http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

If not, do so - great explanation of cycling, both fishless and otherwise.

Re how many fish to get - ideally none until the tank is cycled, fishlessly, but in any event, you need to first work out what fish you want to keep before you could even consider how you will manage the fish cycle.

If you cycle with fish, then at the end of the cycle, which could be 6 weeks, could be more, your tank will have accumulated sufficient bacteria to cope with the fish then in the tank. Further stocking has to be done slowly to allow the bacteria to catch up.

So if you cycle with only a few fish, you will have proportionately lower bacteria reflective of the amount of fish that are in the tank at the end of the cycle.

However, if you cycle with loads of fish you will find that ammonia and nitrite spikes will likely result in your fish becoming sick or dead, unless you want to commit to twice daily or more water changes to prevent ammonia/nitrite from staying at or above .25 ppm for any period of time.

So, fish cycling has the 'advantage' of you seeing fish in the tank from day one, but the disadvantage of a)requiring very diligent maintenance and water changes b) cycling only to the extent of the fish in the tank at the end of the cycle and c) often results in illness/death during the cycle if a) is not scrupulously observed.

To try and tie all that together, your first decision is what fish you wish to keep. Your next decision is whether you want to risk them in a fish cycle. All I can say in that regard is that more often than not a fish cycle results in illness if not death, and can be a very harsh introduction to the hobby for a newcomer and you should at least consider fishless cycling for your own sake - plus you can use the time to cycle to decide what you are going to stock with.

Re adding more gravel after the cycle has finished - yes you can of course do this.

Re reccomended treatments - I personally don't keep a stock of medications on hand, except for a bottle of melafix which I use rarely but I'm sure others do and might step in here - fish disease is not unavoidable. But in fairness if you live on an island and might have difficulties getting to a shop for a period of time (anything which kills your fish in less than 2 or 3 days is likely untreatable anyway) then maybe you should consider some Maracyn/Maracyn 2.

What you should certainly have available is a good water treatment - Seachem Prime is great; it dechlorinates and removes chloramine as well (both of which are harmful to your fish and bacterial colonies), detoxifies heavy metals, and also detoxifies ammonia (if this is present in your tap water).

Finally I stress, think long and hard before doing a fish cycle - in circumstances where you don't seem to have decided what exactly you wish to keep, I suggest you get going with a fishless cycle right now, and use the 3 or 4 weeks it will take to plan out your stock - what's available locally to you and what do you like yourself ?

Welcome to AC :) Good luck with the tank :) Post back here with any questions :)

[Seasand]

Thak you for taking the time to reply.the information that you have given me is much appreciated and I shall read the artcles mentioned. As to the occupancy of the tank, I am going to set up a community tank. I also bought AuaPlus Nutrafin water conditioner as advised by the aquarium shop. Is this as good as the Seachem Prime?

[rich311k]

The aquaplus will do fine. The Prime is a better value as it last a lot longer but they all do the same types of things.

If you go with fish I would start with a few and go slowly. 1 - 3 small fish is manageable and you can successfully cycle with minimal harm to the fish. If you want to do a major stocking then do a fishless cycle it will make yours and your fishes lives much easier.

[Coler]

No prob :)

Community tank will be lovely and lots of fun. What fish are available to you locally ?

[b.greene]

:welcome:Welcome, Seasand!
Do you have access to gravel or filter media from a friend's tank? I believe this could greatly help cycle your new tank if you did indeed choose to fish cycle.
When I moved up to a much larger tank I cut the feet off a pair of panyhose and filled the feet full of gravel from my 10g. I just layed them on the bottom of the tank. The beneficial bacteria in the gravel from the established tank will help the new system. I also put the filter from the 10g alongside the new filter. Since you probably don't have an extra filter from another tank, you can take the filter cartridge from a friend's tank and put that in your new filter.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!

[Seasand]

There are no fish localy as there are no pet shops. Will have to travel to the mainland to get some. Oh the joys of living on an island. ( plenty of water around be but can`t use the fish !!! )