i cant take the wait any longer

[katuuuz]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here Mike and say two things... #1- I see slight Nitrates. #2- I believe you are cycled (for a very small bioload).

I think you are good to begin adding slowly to your load aas long as you are willing (and it sure seems as though you are) monitor your readings closely and do necessary water changes based on them.

The particles you see when gravel vaccing are not bacteria, they are most likely food particles and detritus.

ok. now newb, would you (if you were in my shoes) try and add a few fish, or try this petco driftwood thing corax and hitman are talking about? i fed them (pretty healthy amount when i came home drunk) last night and i'm not seeing any ammonia.

if you would still add a few fish, what would you put in? (when i'm totally cycled i want angels.)

 

[Hooked Newbie]

ok. now newb, would you (if you were in my shoes) try and add a few fish, or try this petco driftwood thing corax and hitman are talking about? i fed them (pretty healthy amount when i came home drunk) last night and i'm not seeing any ammonia.

if you would still add a few fish, what would you put in? (when i'm totally cycled i want angels.)

I would. What total stocking are you going for? I wouldn't add an angel yet, but I would add a few smaller fish. The DW thing is valid, but I personally avoid introducing anything from chain stores into my tanks. Plus, judging by your lowering pH, it seems as though your water already has little buffering ability. Not a bad thing at all for angels and other SA fish as long as it's stable. JMO.

 

[katuuuz]

I would. What total stocking are you going for? I wouldn't add an angel yet, but I would add a few smaller fish. The DW thing is valid, but I personally avoid introducing anything from chain stores into my tanks. Plus, judging by your lowering pH, it seems as though your water already has little buffering ability. Not a bad thing at all for angels and other SA fish as long as it's stable. JMO.

ok newb, i'm gonna jump in the shower and get ready to go the the lfs. how many smaller schooling fish would you get at this point? and what would you recommend? (rasbora, barbs, ??) with angelfish being my centerpiece in mind.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I'd add 3-4 (roughly 1/2 a full school) of your favorite small schoolers.

 

[katuuuz]

I'd add 3-4 (roughly 1/2 a full school) of your favorite small schoolers.

so maybe 4 tetra/barb/rasbora? either of those are ok with angels in the long run? sorry i'm being so punctual, i just want this to go right man... and i'm willing to do water changes, it's all i've been doing. it's like that Mitch Hedberg stand-up routine...

"I have sea weed for a houseplant, and have to keep watering it. My friends are like Hey Mitch, wanna go to the bar? and I'm like, na, I gotta water my sea weed... They say for how long? and I'm like.... FOREVER!"

 

[Hooked Newbie]

so maybe 4 tetra/barb/rasbora? either of those are ok with angels in the long run?

Yes... sorta. Try to avoid smaller fish (neons, het rasboras, etc) and torpedo shaped fish that will fit in an adult angels mouth.

 

[katuuuz]

actually, can i go ahead and get 3-4 corys? that'd be a nice addition.

 

[severum mama]

Corys are generally not a good choice for a new tank, same goes for angels. Stick with hardy schooling fish for now. Consider bumping up numbers of the species you already have.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

What she said.

 

[katuuuz]

Corys are generally not a good choice for a new tank, same goes for angels. Stick with hardy schooling fish for now. Consider bumping up numbers of the species you already have.

ok, so i'll either grab 4 more black skirt or 4 zebras. thanks guys, going now. I may have to rename my tank the bermuda triangle haha.