new tank: help: whats next?

[hayabusasp]

i have...
size : 29 gal.
filter : 1 whisper model 30, 1 penguin 350.
heater : 150 w.
lighting : 10,000 k
power head : penquin 1140

other:
driftwood : x-large- takes up almost half of tank.
thermometer

what ive done so far:
added api tap water conditioner.
added extra filter media in filter : black diamond active carbon
checked water condition : 7.0 pH, 0 nitrate, 0 ammonia
temp: 82 f.

what ive purchased:
bio-spira. ( have not used it yet)

....... no fish added, lightly planted.

problems, none except cloudy water/ tannins leaching from wood.

i dont what to do next. this tank has been running for 3 weeks with no progress. i dont know what to do next. i want to add angel/ discus but i want them to be in a safe environment. if someone can give me a step by step instruction on how to get this tank up and running. thanks.

edit: mixed a little bit of crushed coral to adjust ph.

[Ghost_knife]

Angels may work but Discus are out, take out the driftwood and Boil that bad boy untill the tannins come out, you may have to change the water from the pot a few times, do several large water changes as well. this will clear the water. for what it's worth a mated pair of angeles will need about 55G and discus need to be in groups of 5, no less is reccomended because they love and require more company then 2-3-4. your ph is somthing that shouldnt be messed with when you add biospira, any fish you add in there will adjust, acclimate them slowly. driftwood will bring it down some too, if you have any questions please ask

[hayabusasp]

well i cant really boil the driftwood since its so large. any recommendations?....so since i only have a 29g i cant have any discus? if i dont want to breed the angels how many can i put in my tank? how can you tell which are m/f?

[Mgamer20o0]

i dont even know if angels will work in a 29 gal if the driftwood is taking up half of the tank space. i use prime as a water conditioner. Amquel is also a good one. on angels you cant sex them as far as i know until they split off and lay eggs.

[Reddog80p]

i have...
size : 29 gal.
filter : 1 whisper model 30, 1 penguin 350.
heater : 150 w.
lighting : 10,000 k
power head : penquin 1140

other:
driftwood : x-large- takes up almost half of tank.
thermometer

what ive done so far:
added api tap water conditioner.
added extra filter media in filter : black diamond active carbon
checked water condition : 7.0 pH, 0 nitrate, 0 ammonia
temp: 82 f.

what ive purchased:
bio-spira. ( have not used it yet)

....... no fish added, lightly planted.

problems, none except cloudy water/ tannins leaching from wood.

i dont what to do next. this tank has been running for 3 weeks with no progress. i dont know what to do next. i want to add angel/ discus but i want them to be in a safe environment. if someone can give me a step by step instruction on how to get this tank up and running. thanks.

edit: mixed a little bit of crushed coral to adjust ph.

You need a test kit, API freshwater master kit is highly recommended around here.

If you can't boil the driftwood, then soak it, soak it, soak it change the soaking water often(in a bucket or other basin).

Are you keeping the bio-spira refrigerated? If not it may not be as effective, when you decide to use it.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say no progress at all, you're tank will not cycle on it's own. You have not added bio-spira or any fish. Natural cycling will not start without an ammonia source.

What are you looking for as "progress"? Are you waiting for the carbon to remove the tannins? The tannis will continue to leach out until the tannins are gone. Carbon is only effective for 3 weeks at best. Carbon will not help your cycle. Carbon removes tannins, medications,water impurities and polishes your water thats it.

What do you have for bio-media in your filter? You need a sponge or filter floss for mechanical(removes solids and particles). And bio-media for beneficial bacteria to stick to such as bio-max ceramic rings for aquaclears, I'm not sure what the media for the peguins are called, those are for biological filtration.

[hayabusasp]

You need a test kit, API freshwater master kit is highly recommended around here.

If you can't boil the driftwood, then soak it, soak it, soak it change the soaking water often(in a bucket or other basin).

Are you keeping the bio-spira refrigerated? If not it may not be as effective, when you decide to use it.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say no progress at all, you're tank will not cycle on it's own. You have not added bio-spira or any fish. Natural cycling will not start without an ammonia source.

What are you looking for as "progress"? Are you waiting for the carbon to remove the tannins? The tannis will continue to leach out until the tannins are gone. Carbon is only effective for 3 weeks at best. Carbon will not help your cycle. Carbon removes tannins, medications,water impurities and polishes your water thats it.

What do you have for bio-media in your filter? You need a sponge or filter floss for mechanical(removes solids and particles). And bio-media for beneficial bacteria to stick to such as bio-max ceramic rings for aquaclears, I'm not sure what the media for the peguins are called, those are for biological filtration.

i own the that master kit. what kind of ammonia source can i use to start my tank? as for bio media... i thought carbon was considered a bio-media but i guess im wrong. the penguin media is also carbon.and i cant replace the media cause the filter packs are already sealed. i guess i could buy biomedia ceramic rings for my whisper. but my penguin is the biggest source of filtration.

also. could i just use the bio-spira with my current tank condition. and can i add it without any fish?

[Star_Rider]

a 29 is a good size for a pair of angels..I would nix the discus unless you had a 55 they do betterin groups unless paired up.

however, if the driftwood is taking up half the tank..you may not have enought room for a pair of angels..it depends if the driftwood is actually taking up half the tank or if it is a root tangle that occupies half the tank..the angels will swim amongst the roots. they love cover.
angels are very difficult to sex until they spawn..then you can tell from the papillia(breeding tubes) the females short blunt and large..the males is thin and longer.