Narrowing down my tetra choices

Byron

As the saying oges, it never rains but it pours. But glad to hear things are improving.

Air trapped in canisters is common, the store obviously sorted that out. A trick for when you next take it apart to rinse the media: When you put it back together, fill the canister with water almost to the top and gently shake it a bit to dislodge air pockets. Then connect the hoses and turn it on. This usually helps to get it started and there will be less trapped air. I sometimes have air for a few hours in my canisters even after a normal water change, if the water level has lowered to the filter intake which in my case it sometimes does.

On the light, I assume these are incandescent (screw-in) bulbs, and compact fluiorescent? That's fine. Six hours is sufficient, you could try 8 if you like. Is the algae brown or green?

Kelley

The algae is brown and is very tiny dots on the glass. I have to get close to even see it.

Byron

That's diatoms, common in new tanks during the first couple of months. As the tank establishes it will not reoccur. Keep it off plant leaves, otherwise just an aesthetic issue.

Kelley

Everything is planted and I have 8 pristella tetras. I have had them for a week now and they are doing great. I want to add a school of glowlights, but I wondered long should I wait until I add them. Ammonia is still at 0.

Snappyarcher

give it time .... One thing to bear in mind is that depending on the test kit you are using the ammonia may not show up but it will be there in small quantities. Let the tank settle say two weeks then add another small number of fish.... Truthfully this hobby is about time patience and problem solving... As you have found! Glad to have you around.... Oh just one point.... I have had Blue Gourami for 20 years and never found them very aggressive at all. Byron is right the brown algae is nothing to worry about at all either and will sort itself out.
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Byron

I would normally agree with Snappyarcher, but this tank is planted. If it is well planted, you can add the glowlights now.

Snappyarcher

Byron is right I'm just being cautious both with the fish and because it's someone else's tank I'm question too.
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