Given old,dirty tank & supplies, HELP

Wow, a month? Why so long? Add a lot of what? Fish? We were planning on adding a little at a time, of some kind of fish that will get along with the tetras.

I went into Home Depot tonight to get a starter for my light and was lucky to meet a guy who owns an aquarium business. He's been doing it for years and gave me great info and his card. He also recommended a local fish store that has been around for a LONG time and he really respects the owner.

We have a local pet store that is so nasty. I heard rumor that when a fish is sick he just throws it out back on the ground and lets it die. He has often had dead animals back in his dumpster. Apparently he was temporarily shut down, but is now back open. How can places like that stay in business?

OKC
 
Generally they cant stay open if something like PETA gets ahold of them (but you can say that with all pet stores).

You dont have to wait a month, your bacteria culture is ok for things like tiger barbs. Wait a week max, just at 2 fish a day, every 3rd day and you will be fine
 
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whoa, my mistake

i got threads confused, i thought she added bio spira along the line.
OKC, did you cycle before doing any of this?

if she did cycle i seriously think 2tiger barbs every week or so is plenty of time, the culture is young, but in a 35gal that should be no problem
 
"Read the sticky on this forum titled "Cycle." Tons of great information there, and it'll steer you away from 99% of first-timer mistakes"

The above was recommended to me a while back. How do I find this?

OKC
 
here's the thread to which i was referring:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26051

and here's an article referenced in that thread about fishless cycling:
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html

the only thing is, if you've already got your barbs in there, you shouldn't use this method, it involves adding pure ammonia to your tank which WILL (not might) harm your fish. it's a good method for getting started before buying fish, but it's a fairly new concept i think. traditionally it's been done the same way you're doing it, so just be fervent about your water changing (at least a few times a week, right?) and monitor your NH3 and everything should come out okay
 
Overwelmed!!

I read most of the cycle info. Kind of like countrygirl, what's done is done, now can someone help me.

My tank is 35 gal. I let it run for a week with just tap water. I have an Emperor 280 with a (new) bio-wheel, with a Black Diamond Carbon filter. After a week, I put 5 serpae tetras in there. I bought an "Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Master Test Kit.

Now is when I have to admit, I do not understand the whole pH, amonia, Nitrite & Nitrate thing. I'm sure the chemistry of it is important, but does anyone out there have a way of explaining it to me that my 12 & 13 yr. old daughters (and I) will understand.

As for Edward.....
"so just be fervent about your water changing (at least a few times a week, right?) and monitor your NH3 and everything should come out okay" I was told to do the cleaning and water change once a month. Do I do it more often in the beginning?

:sad and confused. Everyone you talk to has a different opinion on everything! Ahhhhhhh....


OKC
 
hi!
I'll explain the Ph, and ammonia/nitrate/nitrite process to you in an easy explanation for you and your 12 & 13 year old daughters. I might cover things you already know so you could just skim through this.
Ammonia=BAD! released by decaying things such as pooh, pee, and any dead stuff. over .5ppm is really harmful to fish. it's best to stay at 0. how do you stay at zero you ask? Beneficial bacteria which colonize in your filter and gravel convert it into NITRITE.
Nitrite=SLIGHTLY LESS BAD! best to stay at 0. Nitrites shoot up after becteria that converts ammonia into nitrite colonizes. Nitrite is soon turned into NITRATE
Nitrate=NOT NEARLY AS BAD! You can't get rid of it, only dilute it by doing water changes. I'm not positive when it becomes a threat, but i choose to keep it less than 10ppm.
Most fish do best in neutral Ph levels (7). It's best to check the Ph level of your tap water so you know how to treat it accordingly. (there are Ph up and down formulas at most fish stores) You should really look up the kinds of fish you own to see what they prefer. :)
*edit* If you notice a spike in your ammonia or nitrate levels you can dilute it as well by changing the water :). Yes, everyone here has different opinions and different way of doing things, but most of them know what works and what doesnt. You'll be fine :)*edit*
 
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Water changes arent nearly as important during the cycle becuase water changes reduce the amount of ammonia lengthening the cycling process. Unfortunantly you already introduced fish into your system and water changes will be important.

Best option for you and your fish:

Go out and buy some bio spira, you can order it online. While you're waiting keep tabs on your water perams. and make sure to do frequent water changes. Just add the bio-spira and wait a week or so before you add new fish.
 
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