beginner help

[ndurkin]

I have just but a fish aquairiam.:help: I have the salt and filter systems and the salt tester. I'm going to be getting fish in two days. I know which ones to start with. I'm not sure about what chemicals to put in the tank and what other testers I need. if someone could please help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it. Any other advise you may have for me would be very helpfull.
Thank you
Nicole

 

[sammiefish]

I know you will get a response on this one...
My suggestion is DO NOT get fish in two days. set up your tank with your substrate, rock, filtration, sump, protein skimmer, power heads ..and whatever else you might find you want or need...
mix up the water to 1.025 SG. fill the tank,...... put a cocktail shrimp in the tank (no im not kidding, and yes, one from the grocery store... raw or cooked... i like raw) and wait .... yes, let it rot!! .....
while you do this ... search for "cycle" on this message board... you will get more info than you can imagine.!!!! In about 4-6 weeks you will be ready for fish....

 

[ndurkin]

The guy at the local fish store around here gave us the option of starting with eaither clown fish or another fish to start off with the tank and filteration system and water is all set up. in 2 days it will be set up for 4 days total without any fish. are there any chemicals you can suggest that should go in the water befor I do get fish? I will do the cocktail shrimp it will save me money so I don't buy fish (even if they are cheap) and they die because it has to go through the cycle. thank you so much for your help I would like to do this right the first time.

 

[sammiefish]

I would suggest not using any chemicals.
You need the ammonia to "feed" bacteria... if you remove the ammonia chemically your tank will not cycle properly... Just let nature take its course... or, IMO, you are asking for trouble... If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
As an absolute minimum... I suggest an Ammonia and NitrIte test kit ... on line is cheapest... wait until both Ammonia and NitrIte are undetectable ... then add your fish... remember you wont get a large production of ammonia unless you add the rotting shrimp... so dont forget that... (well, it shouldnt be rotting before you put it in the tank

)
as far as cycling with fish in the tank... yes it has been done... and in many cases successfully... but I think it is cruel to the fish... swimming around in its own ammonia!!! It CERTAINLY is not good for the fish... whether they survive or not...
good luck and have fun...
keep us posted