Windchaser

After the issues we've had with our 40 gallon and losing some fish I decided I was just gonna break the god**** thing down and start from scratch. I pulled the gravel, decor, biowheels, etc and washed the out of them with super hot water.

I moved the 3 fish we had left into the 5 gallon tank with the betta (he wasnt happy but he's not trying to kill them). The fish were probably going to die in the main tank anyway due to the insane ammount of ammonia, etc in our water. At least this way I am hoping to give the poor little guys a chance to make it.

We have a high rating of Ammonia in our tap water so I was just wondering if I should add any kind of water conditioner to the tank after filling it up or just leave it as is since I need Ammonia to start the tank cycling anyway?

Live plants or artificial ones? We have artificial ones now so just wondering if one is better than the other/benefits/cons of each set up.

Also, about Bio Spira...I see they have 3 oz that doses 90 gallons and 1 oz that doses 30 gallons. Would the 1oz be enough for the 40 (probably a stupid question, but you never know....)?

Wish I had found this site prior to setting up our tank the first time. It's been a ton of help and you guys are all great.

THANKS!

lilsoccakid

they have a product by seachem called "prime" which detoxifys ammonia and nitrites. this means that they are still in the tank. they are just bound by the prime so they arent harmful to the fish. hope i could help!

Windchaser

Cool, Prime is the one I bought just wasn't sure if I should use it or let it run since I need ammonia anyway to start cycling.

neverendingninja

No, use the prime. Its how I made it through my cycle. I didn't know I needed to cycle until my tank was running and stocked. I used prime daily, which kept the ammonia from killing the fish, but left it available for the bacteria to feed on. And, since the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are still there, you can get accurate readings on them to keep track of your cycle.

Windchaser

Just found some Bio Spira (hurray for local fish shops!) and it mentions on the back that certain chemicals used to eliminate ammonia, etc can kill the bio spira bacteria.

Windchaser

Just lost our little Blue Platy.

Poor girl, you went through so much and I am sorry. I hope you are somewhere better.