Am I ready for fish??

[ljurnett]

I have my tank going now, and my hydrometer reads in the normal range.. Now, do I take a water sample in to a lfs and get it tested? I havent bought a kit to test the nitrates, etc. If those come back normal, then can I put some freaking fish in?? My kids are bugging the .... outta me!!

 

[ithorian_r]

has your tank cycled?

 

[pbienkiewi]

How long has the tank been up for ? what did your levels spike to ? what are all your levels at now ?
PH
Salinity
Alk
amonia
nitrate
nitrite
General question - How big is your tank ? are you going to do corals ? what is your lighting ?

 

[ljurnett]

I am not sure, is that where the water tests come in?? Won't the numbers get to normal levels if it has? We bought "bacteria" to help it cycle faster (maybe a sales pitch). it's only been a few days.

 

[ljurnett]

29g, no corals, fish only, not sure about lighting, but it is pretty da#m bright!! Feel like Kramer on that episode of Seinfeld!!! Only been a few days since starting

 

[pbienkiewi]

No your not ready for fish.... but Yes that is were test kits and water changes come into place... You will need to do water changes to lower and amonia, nitrates, or nitrate.
The tank in general will get bad before it gets better. With my 55gal coral tank. I went through Diatom algae to red slime. Now it is a awsome tank...... only need to do water changed once a week. 5 gal
8 months up and running. corals are doing awsome and getting big

 

[ithorian_r]

ok. before you add fish, you tank must cycle. some people cycle a tank with a damsel or some other tough fish, but i dont advise this. also i think its kinda cruel. if you dont understand what we mean by cycle, i suggest you pick up a book or two, or do a search on this site about cycling a tank, and read as much as you can. i would not advise adding any fish until you get your water parameters tested. you can take it to your LFS and have them test it for you, but your ammonia, nitrite levels need to be 0. and your nitrates below 20, closer to 0 the better....