USEFUL LINKS:
(FAQ to be expanded...)
When can I put the fish in? I don´t want to wait!
Alas, getting anything fast in this hobby will not get you anywhere. Your tank won´t be ready just by putting the water in and letting the filter run for a few days. Bacteria need to develop first and that usually requires weeks. The only way to speed this process up is to borrow filter media from a local store or friend. If you are not patient, this hobby might not be for you.
I bought fish already, what do I do?
In this unfortunate (but common) occurence, best way is to keep priming the water with Seachem Prime, daily. This will neutralize harmfull amonia and nitrites. This also works in emergencies. Feed the fish sparingly, do daily water changes (25-50%) and keep an eye on the parameters.
My tank seems to take forever to cycle, what am I doing wrong?
Not all tanks take the same amount of time to cycle. Some will take longer (from a few weeks to months). Make sure you are testing daily and adding ammonia. Also, test pH. If pH is below 6, this might stall the cycle. Do a water change only to increase the water buffer or if your ammonia levels are off the charts (dark green). Patience is the key thing here. Bacteria need oxygen (filter), warmth (heater) and food (ammonia). If the have all these things, they will grow. They seed in the filter sponge, so make sure you have filter running.
My nitrites have been purple for a week, has my cycle crashed?
Don´t panic, nitrites always take longer than ammonia to get down back to 0. In the upcoming days your test will come back as light blue and then you know you have been cycled.
Should I put plants and decoration in already or wait until cycle finishes first?
I advise to setup the tank the way you want it to be. Get everything planted into the substrate and add decorations, filter and heater in as well. Live plants will help with the cycle.
My water is very cloudy, what is going on?
This is a common occurrence with brand new tanks called bacterial bloom. The bacteria start inhabiting the water column and increase in number so much, they´ll become visible. After they consume all the nutrients, they will die off. This usually takes a couple of days. If cloudiness persists, a water change might be needed.
But the employee at the store told me I can put the fish straight in!
They very likely did. They might have also told you to run your tank for 2 weeks and then it will be ready, which is not true if you are not adding ammonia. I am sure that there are knowledgeable employees around, but not as many as the ones who do not know the basics.
Can goldfish or any other fish live in a bowl?
No, no fish can live in a tiny bowl. You wouldn´t want to live in a closet all your life either. Most fish require good filtration and tropical fish also heaters. Minimum requirement is 5,5g/20l for a SINGLE betta fish or pea puffer. If you want anything else, go with at least 55l+.
Can I just use fake plants?
Since aquariums are miniature pieces of nature in our rooms, I prefer tanks with natural look. If you want to get fake plants, buy silk ones, otherwise sharp edges might harm the fins. Some cichlids and bigger fish might uproot live plants or eat them so bear that in mind.
Are gold fish good for beginners?
If you do not have much space, then no. Goldfish are more suitable for ponds as they grow big (up to 30cm!) and are social fish, so you need to keep more of them. Just one goldfish needs at least 100l, so if you can´t afford a big tank, pick a betta fish to start with instead.
No comments:
Post a Comment