FW Experts - Need Help

[gmann1139]

I'm going the reverse direction of most people here, in that I'm setting up a freshwater tank after having a couple saltwater tanks.
Basically, my wife wants a small tank for her office at work. I bought an Eclipse 6 system, and filled it with RO water tonight, along with some rocks and fake ornamentation, as well as a neutral buffer and a slime coat inducer.
Since its going to take overnight to heat the water, I'm hoping I could get a crash course on the difference between FW and SW by then. I'm specifically looking for the following information:
- How do I induce the cycle? In SW the bacteria were on the LR. SHould I be buying something like Bio-spira to handle this?
- What should I be testing for? pH is a given, but are the normal nitrogen tests needed? Are my Salifert test approved for that?
- What regular maintenance is needed? Vacuuming? Water Changes?

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2521012
I'm going the reverse direction of most people here, in that I'm setting up a freshwater tank after having a couple saltwater tanks.
Basically, my wife wants a small tank for her office at work. I bought an Eclipse 6 system, and filled it with RO water tonight, along with some rocks and fake ornamentation, as well as a neutral buffer and a slime coat inducer.
Since its going to take overnight to heat the water, I'm hoping I could get a crash course on the difference between FW and SW by then. I'm specifically looking for the following information:
- How do I induce the cycle? In SW the bacteria were on the LR. SHould I be buying something like Bio-spira to handle this?
- What should I be testing for? pH is a given, but are the normal nitrogen tests needed? Are my Salifert test approved for that?
- What regular maintenance is needed? Vacuuming? Water Changes?
You can start the cycle with some fish food. The cycle takes less time but progresses the same way that it does with salt water. Once the ammonia and nitrite both spike then hit zero it will be ready for fish. You should be testing the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, and temp. The ph that it should be at depends on what fish you are planning on having. Some fish prefer acidic water while others prefer it alkaline. There are numerous fish that do well at a neutral 7.0. Salifert kits do work for both. Check the directions on your kits though, you may have to do it differently or use a different chart. The gravel should be vacuumed when you do a water change. The water changes are based on the nitrate readings.

 

[clownfish11]

okay freshwater is 10000 time easier...to start off you wait like a week and , and then u just add lik flake foods or some live food and you could also add live plants.....its really easy..just feed them every day...and change ur filter cartridges and everything you know...

 

[gmann1139]

Thanks for the advice guys. Sounds like I'm on the right path.
One more question: I'd like to get Live Plants at possible, but with only 8 W on a 6 gallon tank, is that possible?

 

[bjoe23]

Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2521191
Thanks for the advice guys. Sounds like I'm on the right path.
One more question: I'd like to get Live Plants at possible, but with only 8 W on a 6 gallon tank, is that possible?
Yeah most FW plants dont need much light.

 

[bjoe23]

Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2521012
- How do I induce the cycle? In SW the bacteria were on the LR. SHould I be buying something like Bio-spira to handle this?
Try just ghost feeding. It doesnt take much to cycle
- What should I be testing for? pH is a given, but are the normal nitrogen tests needed? Are my Salifert test approved for that?
Honestly you dont need to test that much. I sometimes test pH and amonia (sp)
- What regular maintenance is needed? Vacuuming? Water Changes?
Yes, scrape algae off sides with a mag float, filter changes, and i vacuum the gravel when i do water changes
Answers in bold

 

[michaeltx]

Basically, my wife wants a small tank for her office at work. I bought an Eclipse 6 system, and filled it with RO water tonight, along with some rocks and fake ornamentation, as well as a neutral buffer and a slime coat inducer.
this is going to sound strange but its true.
when you start with RO water you have to add a product called RO right or simliar because RO water is to pure for freshwater fish and they will die soon after being added to it. with saltwater the salt mixes correct these issues but with FW we dont add anything but a buffer and as you listed a slime coat but not the electrolights and such thats needed.
Mike

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by MichaelTX
http:///forum/post/2521251
this is going to sound strange but its true.
when you start with RO water you have to add a product called RO right or simliar because RO water is to pure for freshwater fish and they will die soon after being added to it. with saltwater the salt mixes correct these issues but with FW we dont add anything but a buffer and as you listed a slime coat but not the electrolights and such thats needed.
Mike
Very true. I missed the part about the RO.

 

[michaeltx]

Originally Posted by bjoe23
http:///forum/post/2521222
Yeah most FW plants dont need much light.
have to disagree most FW plants that are available also need PC or stronger lighting and possible addition of CO2 and a plantable substrate for great success in them. there are a few that do good under less light like bananna plants and such but dont look as kewl LOL
Mike

 

[gmann1139]

Yeah, I wondered whether using RO was the best plan, but considering that we won't drink our tap, or give it to our animals that have evolved to walk on land, I didn't want to start the tank with it. I'll hit up LFS for "RO right."

As far as plants, I just want something to get rid of nitrates. Any suggestions?

 

[michaeltx]

I will do a little research on them and see what I can find there is 8 watts but what type of light is it and do you know the spectrum of it?
Mike

 

[gmann1139]

Its a 12" T5 (my first T5,

)
I'll change spectrum if necessary. Right now its just a standard Natural Daylight spectrum.

 

[forddna]

Originally Posted by bjoe23
http:///forum/post/2521222
Yeah most FW plants dont need much light.
Live plants do, and 8w is not enough for a 6g tank. I would say you need around 20w for a middle-of-the-road lighting setup. Check out *****. 2wpg is a good mid range for average tanks, but smaller tanks need a higher ratio than that.
You should also check out ********and look at the category of "nano fish" in the freshwater fish section. Then research, research, research. If you don't want to order from there, you can try asking your LFS to order you some.
Another thing you might want to consider trying is freshwater shrimp. Red Cherry Shrimp are very cool, and very easy. A slightly less easy to keep, but not too hard, and super cool shrimp is the Crystal Red Shrimp. They are only about an inch long, so they fit right into that small tank. You could probably keep 15-20 in there.
Feel free to PM me if you want more help. I don't want to type a whole novel here.

 

[gmann1139]

LFS didn't have "Ro Right" today. They're dry goods inventory can be lacking. They also didn't have Magfloats or a strip thermometer, so now I have to make a trip elsewhere anyway.
I ended up buying API Aquarium salt and adding that, as well as some Bio-spira.
Is that equivalent to the RO right?
Plan now is to ghost feed for a couple days before adding the bacteria.

 

[gmann1139]

Ok I just added 1/4 teaspoon of RO right, so that's taken care of.
My pH came in around 7.5, which is bad, since the fish I want to keep (Zebra Danio) is supposed to be between 6.5 - 7.0. I'll find a pH balancer at LFS tomorrow to help with that.
I've been Ghost Feeding for a week, and haven't gotten an ammonia spike yet. Probably going to grab Mr. Cocktail Shrimp and put him in the tank tomorrow. I've used that method for SW, so I'm ok there.
I also bought Bio-spira to kick start the cycle once I do get ammonia.
Forddna, I am interested in the Cherry shrimp. One LFS showed me FW shrimp today, but they were of the 'jumbo' variety. I'll have to look around a little bit more to find them.

 

[gmann1139]

Ok, I put the shrimp in the tank this week. Almost immediately, the tank got very cloudy, and didn't really improve until I did a Water change today.
I probably should have waited another day or two on the WC, but the smell was getting really bad.
I guess my only question is how long to wait until I add fish?

 

[michaeltx]

what are the tank readings? ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate?
that will indicate when its safe for the fish or not.
Mike

 

[gmann1139]

I'm losing my mind here.
I tested all three tanks (2 SW and this FW) this morning and completely missed that I was reading both NH4 and NO2 in the FW tank.
Ok, when I do zero out on both of those, how long should I wait?

 

[michaeltx]

once it zeros out on ammonia and nitrites you can do a 25% water change and then start stocking the tank. I would go slow same as in a SW tank. the bacteria needs time to adjust to new inhabitants.
what are you planning to add to this tan I cant remember LOL
Mike

 

[gmann1139]

Danios... the infamous glofish.
I'm probably going to start with a pair, and try to add another pair.
Trying to keep it there, as this tank is going to work with my wife, so I won't be able to regularly monitor it.