New to Aquariums- First Setup Feedback

Good news! Ammonia is down a lot today! I'm between .5-1ppm, so maybe I'm finally getting somewhere Nitrates are still around 10ppm, but I'm still getting no nitrite reading.

 

If the tss has worked, you may never see nitrite. I've only seen nitrite once or twice with my media transfer cycles, including this latest time when I started one of my lfs systems (about 200 gal with sump) with about 25 African cichlids and a single canister filter pad. My system cycled in 6 days and with daily water changes and testing, ammonia never got over .5. Nitrite never even showed up.

Then again, as bacterial supplements seem to be less predictable, you may see some. Just keep an eye on the readings to see where you are.

 

I cycled my tank with 4 Danios in. All I had at the time was the tank, filter and stones. I left them in there for a week just with stones then filled the tank the rest of the way (was only half way to start) and also added ornaments and live plants 3 days after. Then bought more fish. I had no problems at all. But that's just me And I didn't have a clue what I was doing at the time. Seemed to work though

 

Would it be a bad move for me to go ahead and bite the bullet and drop some more money on a QT tank? I saw a 5.5 gallon kit that has a hood and I believe a small tetra whisper filter, and it looked small enough for me to make room for it on the bottom shelf of my current stand

 

Aye. If you have the funds I say go for it. Sounds like all you would need is an adjustable heater and thermometer (and maybe small pieces of PVC pipe for them to hide in).

 

You'll never see me recommend against quarantine! My only suggestion would be to use a 10 gallon, but I know that might not be reasonable for everyone.

 

I use a 10 gallon and a 5g. Unless you have large fish, a 5 gallon is acceptable since it's temporary housing.

I have the exact same 5G QT setup as Vinita has . Works amazingly well.

 

I use a 10 gallon and a 5g. Unless you have large fish, a 5 gallon is acceptable since it's temporary housing.

I have the exact same 5G QT setup as Vinita has . Works amazingly well.

Oh I'm definitely going with the sterilite container method. I like the option of being able to throw it in the closet or use it as a box when I don't need it

 

Oh I'm definitely going with the sterilite container method. I like the option of being able to throw it in the closet or use it as a box when I don't need it

There is only 1 drawback that I found to using that container. Unless you use a magnifying glass it's almost impossible to view the fish properly because the container is not completely transparent lol. I bought two magnifying glasses last year (they have battery powered lights on em.. RAWR!) and I keep one in the kitchen (morons make the text on food directions so small you can't see them) and one in my office (for the fish). At any rate, the magnifying glass makes it easier to see through the container.

 

If you were closer I'd just give you a QT... I need the fishroom space! lol

 

Do I need to worry about filter baffles or anything? I'm experimenting with some impromptu ones now (i.e media bags and cut up water bottles) and I've got the water pretty calmed down and still, but is it good to have that agitation on top? I'm thinking that if I do anything, I'll just take the media bag baffle off of the aquaclear and that should give me enough current, the penguin was roiling up the water a little too much and it would push the fish into the sides and what not whereas the AC makes a decent current, but a clean and not too strong one.

 

0ppm ammonia now I believe I'm fully cycled but I'm going to wait a few extra days just to make sure.

I'm almost thinking I might have planted some of my plant bulbs upside down though xD, only the water onion has sprouted, the water lily had a root coming out of it when I moved it the other day, but the... Apongeon bulbs or whatever they're called haven't done a thing. There are little white moldlike spots on them too, so I'm worried that they're dead or no good :/

EDIT: for comedy relief, I was at the LFS yesterday looking for a sponge filter. I overheard the clerk at the counter telling a lady that was apparently new to the hobby that WEBSITES and people on forums lie and that she should only take THEIR advice! I had to hide myself to save the embarassment

 

0ppm ammonia now I believe I'm fully cycled but I'm going to wait a few extra days just to make sure.

I'm almost thinking I might have planted some of my plant bulbs upside down though xD, only the water onion has sprouted, the water lily had a root coming out of it when I moved it the other day, but the... Apongeon bulbs or whatever they're called haven't done a thing. There are little white moldlike spots on them too, so I'm worried that they're dead or no good :/

EDIT: for comedy relief, I was at the LFS yesterday looking for a sponge filter. I overheard the clerk at the counter telling a lady that was apparently new to the hobby that WEBSITES and people on forums lie and that she should only take THEIR advice! I had to hide myself to save the embarassment

HAHA I had the local petsmart yelling at me for talking about buying 6+ schools of fish telling me it had to be odd numbers and that 5 was better! I told them that was a false statement and they almost started to argue with me, they also told me all tetras a school when I first setup which I thought was wrong, but still listened....now I am dealing with a severe aggression problem between fish in my setup.

 

To be fair, I've seen plenty of terrible advice on websites and forums as well. Never underestimate the importance of researching multiple sources on your own.