plcd22

Hello to you all... I have wanted my own aquarium for some time now but just have not had the money to get my own but the other day, on my way to take my daughter to school, I spotted a tank sitting out for the trash. after dropping her off I came back that way and picked it up, only to find out that EVERYTHIHNG that I needed was there!!!! It is a 30 gallon tank with a whisper filter, air pump, air stone, lid, and light (that works). I was so excited to FIND it FREE (saving me like 300 bucks). anyway now it is set up in my office waiting for that first week (waiting) period to expire (Sunday). I can't wait to get some fish in there...

Anyway found this forum while doing some research and what not and so I thought I would join and get involved in the comunity.

Jess

Welcome and what luck! : )
Make sure you have a test kit to see you through the cycle period. It could take a few weeks. Read up on the fishless cycle. Good luck.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!! what a great find!! but unless you can find some tetra safestart or some used established filter media, it takes more than a week.....would take a few weeks to cycle....but wowsers everything was free!!

this link will help you so very much and avoid any fishie deaths... http://www.fishlore.com/BeginnersGuides.htm goodluck !

Mike19

Welcome aboard, the link Shawnie sent you is very useful and will help immensely

Mike

Lucy

Hi plcd22 welcome to Fish Lore

What a great find! How exciting!
Like the other posters said, cycling takes longer than a week, the link on how to cycle can be found in the beginners link Shawnie gave you.
Have patience and use the time to carefully research fish.

Good luck

belleekgirl

Congrats on the new tank. We all love a bargain. Especially if it is free
You will defiantly want to make sure to Cycle your tank. Also- really, really think about the size of your tank and what type of fish you like. Consider the ADULT size of the fish as well, that will save you any disappointment and overcrowding issues later on .
Good luck!

plcd22

Thank you all for your kind welcome... Here is a few pics of it so far...





This sits in my office.
Also quick question... I got some AmQuel+ and added what they said for the gallons. Will this help in the "cycle" process?

jack--sos

The tank looks abit cloudy which is a good sign shows the cycles got going

not sure about the AmQuel+, maybe one of the other members can help you

Welcome to Fishlore and Happy New Year

Lucy

I beleive AmQuel+ is a water conditioner. It won't help with the cycle.

catfishlover123

Wow! I wonder why someone threw it away! It is like getting a used tank except you don't have to spend money on it.

fishlover78

Hi welcome to fishlore !

plcd22

Thanks again for the kind welcome... That amquel+ says about lowering all kinda stuff and the girl at the fish store said that up that in and in about a week you should be ready for fish?!?!?!

Lucy

Unfortunately many of us receive bad advice from fish stores.
It would be a good idea to do some reading and research on your own and learn about cycling your tank without fish in it.

Here's a couple of links that'll help you:
http://www.fishlore.com/FirstTankSetup.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle

mama_ash

what a DYNAMITE find!!!!!

GOOD for you!!

plcd22

Thanks again for the kind welcomes and helpful info to get started. after your comments and insight I have not added any fish yet and unfortunatly have not had the chance to get a test kit yet so until I do that no Fishys :-( kinda bumbed but don't want to send any to their death either so Patients is Key!

Shawnie

great job going fishless for the cycle!!! once you get the test kit, throw a piece of raw fresh shrimp in it ...only cut off half or a 1/4 of it(unless you get some tetra safestart as recommended, then you can add fish at the same time)....then give it time to cycle....testing periodically after a few days and going from there.....that tank is looking great all set up and cant wait to see the end result!! have you been looking at stocking lists?

navyscuba

Well all I have to say is that none of my tanks I actually paid for. A 55gal long and a 50gal tall. Only bought fish and some decorations and my cichlids were free also. Thanks to Freecycle. If anybody knows about it if not try it. Do a search on yahoo for freecycle and check your area. Good Luck.

plcd22

cycled and slowly adding fish! Got 4 Neon Tetras so far.