New tank need help

Ironteenrich

Hey guys, I just started a new tank it's a 6 gallon tall hex. I want to eventually put 2 puffer fish and one oto in it. I have had it set up for two days and had the filter running and the air bubbles.

Their is 4 or 5 fake plants in there, a air hose attatched to a bubble circle type thing that you put under the substrate. Filter, light. and a huge fake rock/cave type thing. I am using white play sand, and i rinsed it out in a bucket for several minutes until it ran clean. Here is a few questions.

1) I bought an API freshwater master test kit. I tested it today and the Ammonia was between .25, and .50. PH was roughly 7.6. nitrite 0.... Should I do a 15-20% water change tomorrow? Also How often should I test the water?

2) the tank is still cloudy-ish like sand cloudy ish. Is this normal? even if i rinsed it. Should I disconnect the bubble circle since it lies under the sand?

3) I bought 3 zebra danios to help cycle the fish. and just so i didnt have an empty tank for a few weeks while it cycles. Is this ok?

Other things, I used water conditioner and a stress zyme free pack my LFS gave me for free (they gave me two, he said use one this week and one in about 7 days). My tank holds about 80 degrees when the light is on and when i turn it off at night it drops down to about 76. Is this ok temperature for dwarf puffers?

Also, I got some snails for free for my future DP but I think I might move them into a 10 gallon I have empty that my girlfriend is going to take in a few weeks. Can I just put the fish in the tank with water to fend for themselves or will they all die? (I don't want 10000 snails in my tank by the time I get my DP)

Little-Fizz

Yes, if you doing a fish cycle, you should do small water changes to help keep the ammonia down.

Yes its normal for the water to be cloudy, and no you don't have to disconnected the air stone. You don't have to vacuum the sand like you would gravel.

Yes its ok, but just remember to keep the ammonia levels down so its a little more comfortable for your fish.

No this temperature isn't ok for any fish. Huge temperature swings like that can cause a lot of stress on a fish, invest in a small heater.

Unless you cycled the ten gallon I couldn't see the snails doing to well. They are just like a fish and sensitive to water conditions.

Flashygrrl

Just curious, what are your plans for the danios after the tank is cycled?

Ironteenrich

Does anybody have a heater they recommend for a 6 gallon tank? Also thank you for answering my other questions

Probably give them to my brother in law to put in his tank. Or give them to my girlfriend because she is going to get a tank soon and will need to cycle it.

Flashygrrl

I like Aqueon or Hydor heaters. http://bigalsonline.com has both kinds, and probably a few bucks cheaper even after shipping. You'll want a 25w heater for 6 gallons.

Ironteenrich

Okay after a week my Ammonia is still high Roughly at 4.0 and nitrite is still at 0?

All the fish are alive, the water is clear, filter is working fine, it's a steady 78~ degrees.

Am I doing something wrong? It's a enclosed hood, should i try taking a part of the hood off to let air in?

Tyyrlym

Ammonia is at 4.0? 4.0 ppm? If your ammonia is at 4.0 you need to do a water change NOW. At least 50% now, 50% tomorrow, and keep doing that for about three days. I'm amazed your danios are still alive. You should do a 50% water change if the ammonia hits 0.5 ppm to help keep your fish in good condition.

Your ammonia will go up with no visible nitrites for a while. It was two and a half weeks before I saw any nitrites and another few days for the ammonia to go to zero.

okiemavis

I'd recommend putting 3 puffers in, two females and a male, to spread out aggression. Otherwise the weaker of the two is going to be relentlessly picked on.

Also, otos are really best kept in groups. Perhaps some other bottom dweller, like a small freshwater goby?

Ironteenrich

I've been doing water changes and nothing seems to be changing, still have high ammonia, and no nitrate. Also I got a gravel vac. I was woundering how I use this with sand? I got a tiny one cause it's only 6 gallon, but doesn't seem to be sucking up the waiste?