Hello, New Member Here! Any Advice Welcome/Appreciated!
Hi fellow fish lovers!![Fish :fish2: :fish2:](https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/fish2.gif)
I have just begun my journey into the exciting world of fish keeping! I recently purchased a 36 Gallon Aqueon Bow Front Aquarium from my local PetsMart, it came in a kit which included an Aqueon Quiet Flow 30 Power Filter, a 200W submersible heater, and a hood/lamp combo which houses a 8,000K 17W 120V T8 Full Spectrum Daylight bulb. My goal is to have a low tech planted tank, with some river rock as well as a nice piece or two of some Malaysian driftwood.
The first day I purchased the tank, I set it up IMMEDIATELY. I added 75lbs of gravel, bought 3 Jungle Vals, which are being supplemented with Seachem FlourishTabs. The tank is currently running at a temp of 75-76F.
Long story short, I went to an aquatics store near my house and purchased 4 Giant Danio, about 3 days after the initial set-up, to begin my tank cycling (I know not everyone is a fan of this process but I thought they would be fine). The fish were recommended to me, as I was told they are very tolerable fish. I properly acclimated my new fish before placing them into their new home. The next morning I found 2 out of the 4 dead. Of the remaining 2, one would stay at the top, and the other would tread towards the bottom. I put in a little food and suddenly the one at the bottom took a funny dive and went belly up. I noticed that the water is quite cloudy and my last remaining fish doesn't look like he/she will make it till the morning.
Don't really know what went wrong...
My plan now is to remove all the water from my tank, re-plant the bottom with a few bags (2 to 3) of Seachem Flourite Plant Substrate, I plan to use this in combination with the FlourishTabs, mixed with the current gravel I have (I won't use all of it). Then I plan to condition my tank using Seachem Prime. I have read many reviews on the success of this product. I also plan to purchase 4 to 5 neon tetras OR harlequin rasboras to put into my tank instead of Giant Danios this time. Hopefully this will have better results with healthy/happy fish.
My concerns are whether or not this would be a good or even an ideal route to take. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated. A planted tank is fairly new to me, so I need all the help/advice I can get. Sorry for the long rant!
Hi fellow fish lovers!
![Fish :fish2: :fish2:](https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/fish2.gif)
I have just begun my journey into the exciting world of fish keeping! I recently purchased a 36 Gallon Aqueon Bow Front Aquarium from my local PetsMart, it came in a kit which included an Aqueon Quiet Flow 30 Power Filter, a 200W submersible heater, and a hood/lamp combo which houses a 8,000K 17W 120V T8 Full Spectrum Daylight bulb. My goal is to have a low tech planted tank, with some river rock as well as a nice piece or two of some Malaysian driftwood.
The first day I purchased the tank, I set it up IMMEDIATELY. I added 75lbs of gravel, bought 3 Jungle Vals, which are being supplemented with Seachem FlourishTabs. The tank is currently running at a temp of 75-76F.
Long story short, I went to an aquatics store near my house and purchased 4 Giant Danio, about 3 days after the initial set-up, to begin my tank cycling (I know not everyone is a fan of this process but I thought they would be fine). The fish were recommended to me, as I was told they are very tolerable fish. I properly acclimated my new fish before placing them into their new home. The next morning I found 2 out of the 4 dead. Of the remaining 2, one would stay at the top, and the other would tread towards the bottom. I put in a little food and suddenly the one at the bottom took a funny dive and went belly up. I noticed that the water is quite cloudy and my last remaining fish doesn't look like he/she will make it till the morning.
![no_no :nono: :nono:](https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/nonono.gif)
My plan now is to remove all the water from my tank, re-plant the bottom with a few bags (2 to 3) of Seachem Flourite Plant Substrate, I plan to use this in combination with the FlourishTabs, mixed with the current gravel I have (I won't use all of it). Then I plan to condition my tank using Seachem Prime. I have read many reviews on the success of this product. I also plan to purchase 4 to 5 neon tetras OR harlequin rasboras to put into my tank instead of Giant Danios this time. Hopefully this will have better results with healthy/happy fish.
My concerns are whether or not this would be a good or even an ideal route to take. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated. A planted tank is fairly new to me, so I need all the help/advice I can get. Sorry for the long rant!