Hi everyone,
I used to have fish with my dad 10+ years ago, and I've mentally committed to getting back into fishkeeping as a serious hobby. I've been doing some research online for the past few days, and I've got some questions that I hope you guys can answer. The only problem is I'm not 100% sure what my set-up will look like right now as I still need to find time to dig around in my mom's basement and hopefully find some of our old equipment, or else I'm going to have to start shopping around. It will almost definitely be in the ballpark of 20gal though. Anyways, here goes:
1) Definitely going with a fishless cycle and pure ammonia, but obviously I'd prefer to wait less time as opposed to more. Are there any reliable products for this? I've seen Dr. Tim's One & Only mentioned a few times?
2) I'd like to try planting for the first time, but I'm 100% new to that aspect. I've seen java ferns/mosses, cryptocoryne (is this the same as crypts?), and anubias tossed around for beginners, all of which sound like great options. Any opinions on those species for first-timers or typical wattages to keep them happy?
3) On the same theme, would gravel substrate be appropriate for those plants, or should I look into layered substrates/fertilizers?
4) Again with plants, do those species need any kind of additional CO2?
5) Also, when in the cycle is appropriate to plant? Right away, in the middle sometime, or after it's complete? I know plants can help soak up excess N so I don't want them to steal it before proper bacterial species can establish themselves.
6) I've always used a hang-on filter, but what gph do you recommend? I've seen people say anywhere from 5-10x volume? And are there any major cons associated with a hang-on that I'm unaware of?
7) Finally, any recommendations for fish species you like? I'm going for a community tank, and I remember we used to have some barbs, tetras, and mollies, so those will be my starting points. What about a couple of bigger/flashier fish to go along with them? Angels? A cichlid species or two that might work?
Sorry if I'm rehashing a bunch of old information. I tried reading around on here and elsewhere and couldn't really find solid answers to all my questions. Thanks in advance, and I'm really excited to be back!
I used to have fish with my dad 10+ years ago, and I've mentally committed to getting back into fishkeeping as a serious hobby. I've been doing some research online for the past few days, and I've got some questions that I hope you guys can answer. The only problem is I'm not 100% sure what my set-up will look like right now as I still need to find time to dig around in my mom's basement and hopefully find some of our old equipment, or else I'm going to have to start shopping around. It will almost definitely be in the ballpark of 20gal though. Anyways, here goes:
1) Definitely going with a fishless cycle and pure ammonia, but obviously I'd prefer to wait less time as opposed to more. Are there any reliable products for this? I've seen Dr. Tim's One & Only mentioned a few times?
2) I'd like to try planting for the first time, but I'm 100% new to that aspect. I've seen java ferns/mosses, cryptocoryne (is this the same as crypts?), and anubias tossed around for beginners, all of which sound like great options. Any opinions on those species for first-timers or typical wattages to keep them happy?
3) On the same theme, would gravel substrate be appropriate for those plants, or should I look into layered substrates/fertilizers?
4) Again with plants, do those species need any kind of additional CO2?
5) Also, when in the cycle is appropriate to plant? Right away, in the middle sometime, or after it's complete? I know plants can help soak up excess N so I don't want them to steal it before proper bacterial species can establish themselves.
6) I've always used a hang-on filter, but what gph do you recommend? I've seen people say anywhere from 5-10x volume? And are there any major cons associated with a hang-on that I'm unaware of?
7) Finally, any recommendations for fish species you like? I'm going for a community tank, and I remember we used to have some barbs, tetras, and mollies, so those will be my starting points. What about a couple of bigger/flashier fish to go along with them? Angels? A cichlid species or two that might work?
Sorry if I'm rehashing a bunch of old information. I tried reading around on here and elsewhere and couldn't really find solid answers to all my questions. Thanks in advance, and I'm really excited to be back!