View Full Version : New owner of tank- advice needed plz.
Hi,
have just delved into the hobby of a fish tank. Bought myself a biorb tank. Its a 30ltr tank, i paid extra for the tropical version. So i have the extra heater/thermostat. Ive gone by the instructions included. i.e used the stress coat and stress zyme.
The tank has now been running for nearly a week. And i think im ready for inserting some fish :).
This is where u guys can help i hope. Any suggesstions on what sort of fish i can be adding, and how much fish should i restrict myself to adding? whats types of fish would get along with each other, in my tank?
Any info/tips would be very much appreciated.
p.s great forum setup u got here!
Cearbhaill
10-15-2003, 5:37 AM
The tank has now been running for nearly a week. And i think im ready for inserting some fish
There are some permanant threads posted at the very top of this forum that you need to read through before you buy any fish- especially the one titled "Now what? (for those who didn't know about cycling beforehand)."
Basically, your tank has to go through what is called a "cycle"- that's just fish speak for establishing the bacteria base that is necessary to keep fish.
You can cycle with fish in there but you are about 90% guaranteed to lose fish in the process. That is thought to be unnecessarily cruel.
OR you can cycle without fish in there- hence the above referenced thread.
Keep reading- you are in good shape so far.
As long as you don't add fish until you are positive that it is the right time you'll do fine.
This is a hobby that requires patience!
I would suggest that you pick up a multi test kit for pH, ammonia, and nitrite at the minimum. Other tests are valuable but these are vital.
Good luck!
A 30 ltr tank isn't a really big tank, so make sure that you end up with fish that are suitable for a smaller tank. A nice easy and colourful fish that would do well in that smaller tank would be some platies. They come in many colours, are social, are cheap and are hardy. If you started with 5 of them that would probably be good. They do tend to breed easy so you will have more in no time. They eat regular tropical fish food and I would suggest getting some easy to carefor plants in the tank as they do like plants. Java Fern is always a favorite.
felt i needed to give an update :).
Been around 3 weeks, since having tank. Got a couple of Platties, and a molly swimming around. Everything doing good so far. Only really have one question.
According to instructions i received, they reckon i only need to do a water change(30%)..everytime i change the filter (every 6-8 weeks). This doesnt concur with what i have read from this forums..
So not entirely sure, as to when i should be carrying out my water changes?!
Don't replace the filter media. Every week you need to take about 30% of the water out of the tank and use this removed water to "clean" the filter media. You should keep using the media as long as you can because this is where the good bacteria live and removing them will start your tank at the beginning again.
In the first you need to test the tank water with an ammonia and nitrite test kit and do a water change each time you detect levels of these. This is essential in keeping your fish alive and not poisoned.