MBurton

Hi All.. Very glad that I have found this forum, it is going to be fantastic to be able to find answers to hopefully common questions I come across. Back in the day I had several community 10-gallon tanks and had zero issues (that I was aware of). Beginner's luck I'm sure. Now that my family is settled hopefully for the last time in our new home, we are setting up the 29 gallon aquarium again. I say again because before I had let my husband put his two-cents in, and he obviously messed a lot of stuff up, therefore I gave up. So 8 years goes by and here I am setting the tank up again with exclusive rights to it.
The 29 gallon will be for the community type tropical fish.
Today I bought and rinsed with warm water the fake plants and the gravel, AquaClear 50 Filter, the Whisper 60 pump, air bubbles and a few decorations. I added the water, and now the husband is upset there are three tubes from the bubble wands that are distracting to him.

I guess tomorrow I will buy the ammonia kit for the nitrates; I had only bought the pH test kit since that is all I had ever used before.
What is the best Kit to buy that is most reliable, and the solutions to fix whatever the issues are?

Do you have links to what the first, second, third steps should be? I am not in a rush to add the fish, I do not want to buy fish just to kill them. I am willing to take the time to get it right the first time. Let's hope that's how it happens.

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore!!

Glad to here that you're doing some research before adding fish to your tank.
Many of us use the API Master Kit. It tests for ammonia, nitrites and pH.
Avoid the strips, they can be inaccurate and will cost more in the long run than a good liquid test kit.
Don't get too fixated on the pH. Most fish can adjust to whatever the pH is coming from your tap.

One of the most important things for you to learn is about the nitrogen cycle.
Here's a link explaining the process:
Nitrogen Cycle

We encourage you to cycle with out fish. It's easier on you and no fish are harmed in the process.
Here are Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. The member are always happy to help.
Good luck!

Edit: You mentioned that you added water. Don't forget the water conditioner to remove chlorine, chloramines and detox heavy metals in your tap water.

fishingman001

Welcome to Fishlore!!

I just want to say thanks for asking questions before adding fish.

API (liquid) Master Test Kit has all tests in one bundle. It is highly recommended. You will also need a water conditioner. Prime and AmQuel+ are good ones.

Your Aquarium Info says you don't know about the nitrogen cycle. There is a link in my signature. Please give it a read.

Before adding fish you will want to cycle your tank. While cycling you can decide on your stocking list.

Good Luck!

Edit: ninja'd by Lucy

GoGreen

Great advice above, nothing more to say but Welcome to Fishlore!

mirday

Welcome to Fish Lore! I wished I had found this place before I started.

MBurton

Thanks much to all.. I am going to buy the Water conditioner and the master test kit tomorrow & take baby steps. And I instantly squashed the thought process of the 8 year old when she excitedly said to the toddler that we are all going to get to buy new fish tomorrow. (Can you imagine the disaster, on so many levels?!)

AnnaEA

Welcome aboard! FishLore is a great community, and you are absolutely on the right track with taking babysteps - all your future fish will love you so much for taking your time now.

kloseo

welcome

ssanubisss

Welcome to the forum

-Luis

Asialyn

Welcome to fishlore
I'm excited to hear what you decide to stock your tank with once everything is good to go.

lorabell

...you're on the best track to be on!!!!!!!

Charistory

Welcome to FL. I definitely recommend cycling the tank fishless. It's stressful watching your fish get sick while you're trying to get the tank to cycle. Go slow and don't give in to the 8 year old She'll be happier in the long run when the fish don't die shortly after they are bought.

Fishlore is full of great information so be sure to use the search box at the top of the page. You'll find answers to most of your questions. There are also some very knowledgeable and friendly people here to ask your questions if you don't find the answers.

MBurton

A month plus later and I have slowly added some fish, and the cycle must not be complete since the bacteria bloom seemed to happen. I also had high ammonia levels which I could never get down, but added the AmmoLock to help save the fish.

I have now:
Fish, Plants, Inverts, etc.
29 Gallon started 9/5'ish, don't know dates of when I bought fish, but this was gradual beginning with:
4 gold long finned danios (the 5th didn't make it) at same time as Tetra Safe-Start about 10 days after starting the 29 gallon tank, then..
4 tiger barbs (5th didn't make it)
2 small Angels
2 green cory cats
3 Red Minor Tetras

I thought everything was honky dory till the tank started getting cloudy last week and now a bubbly foam on the filter's side surface. (From the tap water conditioner or ph Down or ammo lock?)

I have been doing small water changes, replacing with Ready-water from Petsmart. And today I went ahead and did a 50% change. Hoping the ammonia goes down!