Just wanted to say hello to you all. I've been lurking for a little while and somewhat overawed with the amount of great info here. Likely to become part of my daily read methinks.
I have just started out on my first tank and find it all a little overwhelming ! I always thought you bought tank, fill tank, add fishies and a plant or two. Feed. Done. Oh no, not quite.
I have a 35 gal tank with fake plastic trees (all my real ones died). Well, not quite trees but you get the idea. About 4 inches of gravel. 3 zebra danios and 2 dwarf clown plecs. Been running for around two months and I haven't done a water change. Thats tomorrow and not before time.
Water is around pH 7.0, 26C, ammonia ok, notrite very low, nitrate sky high (100 forget the units). The chart suggests that the fish will find this unpleasant to say the least.
I ordered a pump, airblock and algae magnet thing the other day but the order seems to have got lost so I'm popping down the local shop (which incidentally is very good) to stock up all the gizmos I'll need for a water change and general maintenance.
Soooo. Any tips for a total newb? What should my shopping list look like tomorrow? (money isn't too much of an issue - within reason ofc ;P).
p.s. The zebras seem fine and are their usual manic selfs. The plecs hide under a block of wood and rarely venture out. Algae is multiplying prodigiously (mainly on glass, and plants). There is a lot of detritus at the bottom of the tank. Whether this is dead plant matter, fishy turds or algae I don't know. Localised small black stringy matter.. presume a good vac is in order?
I'm English, 37 yo male, about to be a dad and worry that my fish are upset.
Thanks for any advice you give and for any in the future, as you're likely to see a lot of stupid questions coming your way
)
I have just started out on my first tank and find it all a little overwhelming ! I always thought you bought tank, fill tank, add fishies and a plant or two. Feed. Done. Oh no, not quite.
I have a 35 gal tank with fake plastic trees (all my real ones died). Well, not quite trees but you get the idea. About 4 inches of gravel. 3 zebra danios and 2 dwarf clown plecs. Been running for around two months and I haven't done a water change. Thats tomorrow and not before time.
Water is around pH 7.0, 26C, ammonia ok, notrite very low, nitrate sky high (100 forget the units). The chart suggests that the fish will find this unpleasant to say the least.
I ordered a pump, airblock and algae magnet thing the other day but the order seems to have got lost so I'm popping down the local shop (which incidentally is very good) to stock up all the gizmos I'll need for a water change and general maintenance.
Soooo. Any tips for a total newb? What should my shopping list look like tomorrow? (money isn't too much of an issue - within reason ofc ;P).
p.s. The zebras seem fine and are their usual manic selfs. The plecs hide under a block of wood and rarely venture out. Algae is multiplying prodigiously (mainly on glass, and plants). There is a lot of detritus at the bottom of the tank. Whether this is dead plant matter, fishy turds or algae I don't know. Localised small black stringy matter.. presume a good vac is in order?
I'm English, 37 yo male, about to be a dad and worry that my fish are upset.
Thanks for any advice you give and for any in the future, as you're likely to see a lot of stupid questions coming your way
)
