Post by Barb Okla on Sept 16, 2008 21:36:40 GMT -6
Keeping fish is a major decision. Not a drastic one, but it can be time consuming and expensive depending on the set-up you want. More fish than decorations too more rocks and less fish OR U might want a live plants to more of a tropical look with swordtails guppies and neons..
What ever tank U chose, Fresh water should be your first tank choice.
How big of a tank is what you need to consider as in HOW much room you have. The bigger the tank, the more fish U can have and more variety depending on which Tropicals to cichlids U want..
Regular water changes are a MUST! But before you decide on the fish you want, you must first "Cycle" your tank. Their are several ways to do this. One way is to 'run your tank' for a few days now, using a bio-ingredient called 'cycle'. Then intro 2 to 3 fish for a month.
Another way is to cycle the tank empty using ammonia daily (unsented, will find link) for 6 weeks. Now if you are like me and I just spent a bunch of $$ on a set-up and can't wait. I will do the one week or find some one with a tank already established and get some gravel loaded with good bacterial. OR change out bio-wheels with them to get the 'cycle' done faster. Any NEW filter with bio-wheels wil help U out greatly and seed the tank faster..
I use Emperor Filters W/Bio-wheels. They come in 2 sizes: A double bio-wheel 400 or a single 280. That is 400 GPH and 280 GPH respectivly.
It all depends on when you want to get the fish'. If you rush the fish, you take a chance on killing them while the tank cycles but U can get OTHERS to cycle the tank with, but expect another tank for the ones that survive..
Something else to consider, The pH of your water. I never concidered that the pH may be to high or too low for the fish when we got our first 55 gal tank in 2001. Everyone survived the transfer and the 'new tank water'. I did not cycle this tank at all, and the gravel was just nasty so it was totally cleaned I mean CLEANED! They had to start from new water and cleaned gravel and a scrubbed tank and filters..
American cichlids and a lot of tropicals, most like the pH to be 6.5 to 7.5. and soft water GH=general hardness at 0ppm to 140ppm..
Your Africans on the other hand like a High pH 7.8 to 9.0. and hard water: GH=general hardness of 140+..
Again, research your fish before buying and test your pH out of the tap. IT is best to NOT ajust your water chemisty if U can avoid it.. Ajusting to a higher pH is fine using a buffer, but lowering it is a problems if U do not have a Reverse Osmosis system.. This removes the hardness= GH/KH which in turn brings your pH down naturaly..
Understanding pH and 'what' and 'not to do' to it:
link
Here is a video from Dr Foster & Smith on setting up a Aquarium:
link
And here for more information on filters sizes, heater wattage, and more:
link
Great links to help you start your tank, their are 9 steps.
link
Understanding cycling and what to do and expect. Also check out the bottom link for a time table on Ammonia/Nitrite spikes
link
Setting up a small tank using convicts: Great photos and information
link
What ever tank U chose, Fresh water should be your first tank choice.
How big of a tank is what you need to consider as in HOW much room you have. The bigger the tank, the more fish U can have and more variety depending on which Tropicals to cichlids U want..
Regular water changes are a MUST! But before you decide on the fish you want, you must first "Cycle" your tank. Their are several ways to do this. One way is to 'run your tank' for a few days now, using a bio-ingredient called 'cycle'. Then intro 2 to 3 fish for a month.
Another way is to cycle the tank empty using ammonia daily (unsented, will find link) for 6 weeks. Now if you are like me and I just spent a bunch of $$ on a set-up and can't wait. I will do the one week or find some one with a tank already established and get some gravel loaded with good bacterial. OR change out bio-wheels with them to get the 'cycle' done faster. Any NEW filter with bio-wheels wil help U out greatly and seed the tank faster..
I use Emperor Filters W/Bio-wheels. They come in 2 sizes: A double bio-wheel 400 or a single 280. That is 400 GPH and 280 GPH respectivly.
It all depends on when you want to get the fish'. If you rush the fish, you take a chance on killing them while the tank cycles but U can get OTHERS to cycle the tank with, but expect another tank for the ones that survive..
Something else to consider, The pH of your water. I never concidered that the pH may be to high or too low for the fish when we got our first 55 gal tank in 2001. Everyone survived the transfer and the 'new tank water'. I did not cycle this tank at all, and the gravel was just nasty so it was totally cleaned I mean CLEANED! They had to start from new water and cleaned gravel and a scrubbed tank and filters..
American cichlids and a lot of tropicals, most like the pH to be 6.5 to 7.5. and soft water GH=general hardness at 0ppm to 140ppm..
Your Africans on the other hand like a High pH 7.8 to 9.0. and hard water: GH=general hardness of 140+..
Again, research your fish before buying and test your pH out of the tap. IT is best to NOT ajust your water chemisty if U can avoid it.. Ajusting to a higher pH is fine using a buffer, but lowering it is a problems if U do not have a Reverse Osmosis system.. This removes the hardness= GH/KH which in turn brings your pH down naturaly..
Understanding pH and 'what' and 'not to do' to it:
link
Here is a video from Dr Foster & Smith on setting up a Aquarium:
link
And here for more information on filters sizes, heater wattage, and more:
link
Great links to help you start your tank, their are 9 steps.
link
Understanding cycling and what to do and expect. Also check out the bottom link for a time table on Ammonia/Nitrite spikes
link
Setting up a small tank using convicts: Great photos and information
link