critter_fritter79

I am setting up a new 20 gallon with sand instead of gravel. I actually live on 2 acres of great sand and the water I use for all my tanks is well water that has been filtered naturally through the same sand. I dug a pretty deep hole to get down below all the roots and junk before getting the sand I anted to use. I washed it in bleach water, just to make sure no bad bacteria etc was in it, then rinsed it over and over for about 20 mnutes. After adding to the tank the water is a little cloudy but I have the filter running so I hope it will clear up soon. The tank is now set up and once it clears I want to add a few fish but before I do, is there anything else I need to do?? Anything to beware of??

Shawnie

you need to cycle the tank heres a link about that process http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm this needs to be done before ANY fish are added

critter_fritter79

the filter that is in the new tank is from an old cycled tank. I thought that a few days with the old filter going and I would be good to go?? The water out of my well has trace amounts of nitrates in it. Does that help it cycle faster?

Shawnie

have u been giving some type of ammonia source to the new tank? the bacteria will starve without it and you will have to start over ....

critter_fritter79

while waiting for the water to clear, i seeded the tank with little bits of fod for an ammonia source. Water is now crystal clear. I put my surviving angel in it with the male betta and a snail and they seem to be doing great!

aquarist48

Hello Critter! Congrats on the move. Just keep an eye on your water perimeters and wait a week or so should you decide to add more fish. Keep us updated!

I"m afraid I have to caution you about Betta's and tank mates! I have a feeling sooner or later the Betta is going to find your Angel's fins too much to resist.

Ken

TedsTank

Aquarist48 has some good advice for you....maintain your water changes. Your tank has cleared up and you have "seeded" it for the ammonia cycle. But what are your readings for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?? It is not clear if your tank has cycled, or is just the water clear...and continue watching the fish "signs"...

Shawnie

oh no you have moved these fish already? critter fritter until you get the proper test kit (referring to your other threads about testing) , and cycle the tank properly, you shouldnt put fish in there...especially the surviving angel from a tank where you just lost so many....

critter_fritter79

by new i meant different use not brand new tank. The tank previously had guppies in it and the filter has been in use for over a year. I actually gave them to a friend who really wanted to breed them and liked the colors I had. The only "new" thing in the tank was the sand...and the water...lol. I used the strips to test before I put them in the tank...no ammonia, no nitrites and nitrates at roughly 10ppm. The original deco and plants are still in it too. It basically just got a 100% water change, a rinse and some sand plus the new occupant. I didn't see all the stuff on the liquid test kits until I had already moved him but I am supposed to be going to town this afternoon and will be getting one then. Sorry if I made it sound like I was throwing possibly sick fish into a brand new set-up! They have all been in there since late yesterday afternoon and seem to be feeling great.