BerkleyJL

I'm about to buy a 29g aquarium (yay tax return) and get started on my first tank since childhood. I plan to cycle it fishless and have read and memorized the procedure as it looks on paper...then I started conceptualizing what it's going to actually be like, which raised some concerns that almost completely scared me off from buying the tank.

After the tank is fully cycled I'm going to have 29 gallons of water just crammed with nitrates!!! If I need to do a 50-75% water change, and I dare not put water with chlorine into my tank I'm going to need 4x 5g buckets to age/dechlorinate the water.

Plus I don't relish the idea of lifting a 5g bucket full of water to the top of the tank to pour it in...Halp!



OK, when you experienced aquarists are finished rolling on the floor laughing at my ignorance, please fill me in on a less frightening way to do this?

pinkfloydpuffer

You won't need to age water if you use a dechlorinator/dechloraminator. Just mix it in.
I use a smaller bucket (actually an old plastic butter container, lol) to scoop out water from the bucket to pour into the tank.

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore
We don't laugh at newbie questions. We've all been there.

Once you're done with the fish less cycle you will need to do one big water change to get the nitrates down. After that 25% weekly for maintenance should be good, depending on your stock.

Rather than aging the water it's better to use a dechlorinator. Years ago aging water was ok as the chlorine would dissipate. Now a lot of water companies use chloramines. They don't disappear over night, rather it takes a month or so. A good dechlorinator will remove chloramines as well as chlorine.

You can look into getting a python. I don't have one but many members swear by them. It's a device acts as a gravel vac then hooks up to your faucet to refill the tank.

Good luck and have fun with your new tank

shih-tzu mom

Hi: and Welcome to Fishlore-if you get some prime or stress-coat+ for your water changes that will help the water and you can add right away and you might try a Python that hooks to your tap for water changes and someone else will be along shortly to give you more help lol. hope this helps, and no-one will laugh here we were all there at one time or another.Oh, the python cleans and refills your tank lol quite nice beats the old buckets lol and again welcome bella

BerkleyJL

Thanks Lucy. I don't mind people laughing, as long as they're not being mean. I'm sure some of what I said elicited a chuckle somewhere. I'm going to look into the Python...except there better be a heck of a hose, 'cause my tank location is going to be 2 rooms away from the nearest faucet...unless I drill a hole through my floor to the basement below [I'd rather not, thanks].

** Yes, I made sure I'm perpendicular to floor supports and spanning 3 of them, even though that's probably overkill for 29g **

I was originally planning for a 75g because I found a SWEET deal on one, then decided that was probably too much tank for a newb and I didn't want to have to install a new column below the floor for the 800-ish pounds that setup would be.

pinkfloydpuffer

I know they make pythons in at least a 25 and 50 foot length. Not sure if there's longer ones though.

BerkleyJL

50ft will get me there...it's a small house.

Man, the guys at Petco are going to love me tomorrow. I've been there looking at all the stuff I wanted to get and now I have the $$

Or maybe they'll just be like, "finally he bought something."

Lucy

They make them longer. I remember seeing a 75ft.

Fla_Larry

ok, now we got that out, i think every noob wonders just about the time they first fill the tank, DANG, i gotta do this every week.... plus have it sitting around between changes, that means i gotta clear a spot in the garage, gonna need some large buckets. kinda feel like a moonshiner

and you thought running a still was easy..... now ya know why them boys is always drivin fast ever where they went.

PRIME is your friend here. keep a mop bucket or run down to the local HomeDepot ( the po boys aquarium store ) and get one o them homer 5 gal orange buckets they gots layen all round the place.

The python they refer to is also a nice addition, i have my tanks located on the front side of my house so i can simply vac the water right into the shrubbery, and a 10% water change is only a two wash bucket job.

Plus i can spot them pesky revnoors trying to sneak up on me through the bushes.

shih-tzu mom

BerkleyJL; yes they do make the 'Python' in 25,50,and75 feet lol and they also have extentions the best thing i could have bought, makes it much easier with water changes if you, have a lot of tanks or a big one.and they also have a Lea's one online that is a little cheaper if you order it. But someone else could tell you about that, the python also has tap attachments for your tap. And if it don't fit you can get one at Home Depot bella

BerkleyJL

After doing just a little bit of reading I guarantee I'm picking up a Python tomorrow with all my other equipment. In addition to my 29g I have to help the gf with her 16g bowfront she keeps in the dining room. She's cycling hers WITH fish 8O and I'm sicking of hauling buckets for her frequent water changes to keep the ammonia down.

Wish I could afford or find Biospira...actually I can but I think it's prohibitively expensive and we'll manage since she has "hardy" fish.

pinkfloydpuffer

If you are willing to order online, That Fish Place has it
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/241333/product.web

MrEMeat

I've heard of people who have a powerhead (or pump) just for draining and filling water from their tanks. I'm actually in the same situation as you.

BerkleyJL

Hey thanks! There are a few aquarium shops around the area...I'll see if anyone has that stuff in stock and if not will probably get her some.

Lucy

Bio-spira is for S/W tanks now. It been reformulated for F/W and now called Tetra Safe Start.
PinkFloydPuffer provided a link.

vintagetankgirl

First I have to mention that I just finished a Fishless Cycle on my 29 gallon. It took only 23 days and the Nitrates at the end were under 20ppm, which is fish safe! I only changed 50% once, to be safe, before I added my fish. If you keep your Ammonia levels below 5ppm during the cycling you shouldn't get an access of Nitrates.

This is the best price I've seen on the python: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=17879
They don't typically carry them at Petsmart, I'm not sure about Petco though.

I have used a python and loved it! At the time I was living with my parents and they have a well, so no chlorine to worry about. Here in the city I would have to treat the whole tank before adding the chlorinated water! I haven't tried that yet as I'm doing it the old fashion way.

I have a small vacuum that drains into one of my aquarium designated buckets. I have two 2 gallon buckets. One for clean water one of dirty. If I had the space I would use a 5 gallon for both. One method for adding water back to a tank without having to pickup the bucket and pour the water out (sometimes causing a lot of water current) is to use the same vacuum only in reverse. I vacuum water from the clean bucket into my tank! This works great as the stream of water is small and does not disturb my fish, substrate, or plants.

My vacuum looks something like this http://www.petco.com/product/13393/L...ravel-Vac.aspx but was only $7 at Walmart.

The hours of fish watching bliss will be worth the hours of work! Trust me!

Good Luck!

aquarist48

Welcome to Fish Lore. It can all be a little frustrating in the beginning. Have patience and don't rush your nitrogen cycle. It will all be worth it before you know it. Would love some pics once you get it all going.

missgingersnap

You might want to check online for a python. You can get pretty good deals online. I just ordered one from Big Al's. I'm totally new at this too but it's a fun hobby that's for sure. I cycled a 10 gallon with fish...didn't know any better at the time. I just finished fishless cycling a 48 gallon. It's so much easier that way. I wish I had known about it with my first 2 tanks. Good luck with you new tank!