[chris1974]

i filled my 90liter tropical tank on sunday..i used the start-up kit "NTLABS START-OK" from romsey world of water ,Aquasure to get rid of chlorine and add aloe vera (10ml per 50liters) !? then measured dose of Nitrocycle (20 drops per 10 liters) !? ditto measure dose of filterbugs (2 drops per 10 liters)!?

i have to add filter bugs (2 drops per 10 liters)!? everyday untill the little bottle runs out (EVEN once fish added) and was told i could add a couple of platys after 7 days of this!

sound right to you guys?? :?

cheers all from a total newb

ive just tested the nitrite's and still showing 0ppm (guy in shop said it will go up then come back down? )

 

[SKAustin]

Sounds like a few too many chemical additives. The usual result of an LFS trying to make a quick buck. The only chemical you should be adding to your tank is a dechlorinator, and ammonia if you are choosing to go the Fishless Cycle route. Since it sounds like you are relying on cycling products to cycle your tank, you should know that any bacteria added from these products will quickly die off without a proper food source ie fish waste or other ammonia source. It is my humble opinion that nearly all cycling products are a waste of money. Best bet for future reference, learn about the Cycle, and use filter squeezings from an established tank in place of cycling chemicals/additives.

Your nitrites will remain at 0ppm until the Nitrosomonas bacteria are able to survive and colonize within the tank. Without a source of food (ammonia) for these bacteria, they will not develop.

 

[chris1974]

do i understand this correctly,am i right in saying i dont nessaserily need an airpump and airstone because the flow of water through the filter will airiate the tank enough??

or should i really get a airpump/stone in there aswell?

also i didnt plan on getting "real" plants . or should i??

thanks for your help in advance

 

[SKAustin]

You may not necessarily need a pump with airstone, but you should have one installed even if you choose not to keep it on. Medications, if needed, algae blooms, and bacterial blooms can reduce the amount of oxygen inthe tank and lead to suffocation of the fish. If you dont want the constant bubbling in the tank, I would get the pump, stone, and a valve, and keep the pump on a very light flow of bubbles. Then in the event of a problem, just increase the flow of air.

 

[Nick]

I would recommend REAL plants in your tank. the reason for that is when your tank is cycled your NITRATE'S will go up. And sometimes really high, and plants can help contain those nitrates because the plants 'eat' the nitrates.

 

[chris1974]

should i have the lights on in the tank while fishless cycling??

i will get plants for the reasons given by flattrack23 (thankyou) :idea:

 

[Nick]

I'm not exactly sure about the lights on during cycling. But if I remember the lights should be on. I may be wrong if I am than someone PLEASE reassure me. Thanks

Nick

 

[SKAustin]

I would recommend REAL plants in your tank. the reason for that is when your tank is cycled your NITRATE'S will go up. And sometimes really high, and plants can help contain those nitrates because the plants 'eat' the nitrates.

Live plants do help to consume Nitrates, but have additional needs including Co2, Lighting, and plant foods. inproperly cared for plants will begin to die off and deteriorate causing Nitrates to skyrocket to unbelieveable levels and ultimatly leading to a bacterial bloom, followed by and algea bloom.

 

[Nick]

Yes that is true. But having a few plants doesnt mean you need CO2? if you have a fully planted tank yes CO2 is needed. And you dont necessarly need plant food either. I have a lot of plants in my tank and never had CO2 or gave them plant food and none have ever died. Just a thought. A few plants wont hurt. And by all means im not trying to argue with you with everything Steve. Just giving my imput. 8)

Nick

 

[joeshmoe]

i just use some cycle a fretlizer

 

[SKAustin]

perhaps my experiences are isolated to a few species of plant, but Ive had 2 tanks with only a few (4-6) Anubias, a supposedly forgiving and low maintenance plant, that experienced that problem. A third tank at work (of which I am not in charge), with only one plant, not sure the species, that experienced the same problem. Maybe it's just my luck with plants.

Bubblers in a tank are also a concern as air bubbles in a tank will carry the CO2 in a tank to the surface and disperse it into the air.

 

[joeshmoe]

i have crypts java fren and a red plant.

 

[Nick]

I just have misc. plants. I bought some ' assorted ' plants from my LFS. I dont have any 'popular named' plants. I will be getting some long plants for my backdrop. Maybe thats why mine dont need maintenace?

 

[fishylover!]

i agree with flattrack.. i have a few plants in my tank who get no co2 and no plant food and really no attention at all and they are doin great. ive heard different substrates can affect plants also and probably a bunch of other things. theres no harm in adding a few live plants and seeing how they go ! if they begin to die just make sure u take them out before they start to rot / deteriorate as this will contribute to poor water quality.
i also agree with skaustin that u may be adding a few too many chemicals on bad LFS advice. all u should really be adding is dechlorinator as u have the danios in there the cycle will work itself out.

 

[chris1974]

what plants should i go for/avoid?

 

[Lupin]

Simple, easy to grow:
Elodea densa, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, Vesicularia dubyana, Microsorium pteropus, Anubias nana, Riccia fluitans
Take note of the light requirements:
Dim:
Vesicularia dubyana
Microsorium pteropus
Anubias nana

Mid:-slightly dim that is.
Vallisneria spiralis
Ceratophyllum demersum
Elodea densa

Bright:
Riccia fluitans

Pls do note that some will not fair well in a temp above 27.

 

[Nick]

Blue, maybe giving the comman name of the plants might help him out. He's probably reading that going :shock: lol. Well at least its what i'm doing haha.

 

[chris1974]

Blue, maybe giving the comman name of the plants might help him out. He's probably reading that going :shock: lol. Well at least its what i'm doing haha.

i was just about to rquest the common names

 

[SKAustin]

In my opinion, definatly avoid anubias. But thats just me.

 

[Lupin]

Here it is, Chris.
Ceratophyllum demersum-Hornwort
Riccia fluitans-Crystalwort
Vesicularia dubyana-Javan moss
Microsorium pteropus-Javan fern
Vallisneria-commonly known as eelgrass

As for elodeas, salvinias and anubias, they're still the same name of course.