New 70 Gallon, anxious for fish!

If there's any moisture trapped in the rocks (more common than you might think), it can boil and build up a pressurized gas pocket when heated; this can then cause the rock to burst. So, not like a fireball kind of explosion, but still a dangerous occurrence.

Tedzbug- I suggest trying to find a local aquarists' club. They would no doubt be happy to share some disease-free filter media with you, and are a handy resource in general.
 
I agree with Notop....theres gotta be a local aquarist that should be able to help out.
 
So i broke down and got an API master test kit today, new suction mounts for the heater and some inert rock filter media for my filter so i can maybe start my cycle tomorrow. Just want to test the heater and make sure it works first....... The filter is up and pumping away . tested my tap water and the water that has been sitting for a week bubbling. ph of tap-7.2 tank-7.4

We are enjoying this, my wife Liz and I. We are learning together, she has never had a tank before so this is a lot of fun.
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Vallisneria! They grow ridiculously fast and look nice! Add lots of Harlequin Rasboras and that would be my tank right there. Some rock work would be nice too... Don't do this all at once though.

My 20 gal, I basically bought Vals first, then added 1 or 2 Harlequins at a time. Then again, you do have a 70 gallon tank....
 
I have some ammonia, it is pretty old and very strong, seems strong like the old kind we had to breathe all day running blueprints years ago.

It's labeled:
Austin's Clear Ammonia
Ammonium Hydroxide (CAS 1336-21-6)
Contains no Phosphorus

Is this the right stuff? If so, does it matter how old it is?

Thanks
 
i've added 30 ml of this ammonia...... and my level is still down at .75ppm according to my api kit.

How much ammonia is typical to add to get it up high enogh to get the cycle going?

I'm going to get some new ammonia tomorrow and test it with that.......

my ph is up to 7.6 also
 
The problem with plants is that they need better lighting than a single T8 or T12 bulb, Java Fern MIGHT grow, but don't count on it. The main issue I see here is, how much do you want to spend on a lighting system?

www.ahsupply.com should offer a retrofit kit for you if you want to get into plants.
 
If the plants don't make it now, and then don't make it when i switch to LEDs, Then NO PLANTS.......

I don't have big plans for plants at this time, and i plan to switch to 100 super bright LEDs in a custom hood in the next couple weeks.
 
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