Well, I got the tank filled, with 3 inches of rinsed out sand at the bottom..an aqua clear 70 filter running and doing it's thing, and all decorated with plastic and silk plants and decorations. It's still a little cloudy from the sand, but clearing up fast.
So...if I wanted to get some fish tank LIVE plants, how do I know that I am not bringing in bad diseases with the plants? Do you quarantine plants, too? How can you tell if plants are healthy, or carrying anything? I mean, plants don't get the same diseases as fish. So what do I do and what do I look for?
The tank came with a hood that has two sections, each with an 18 inch fluorescent lamp in it. They are 15watt T8 bulbs.
Do I have what it takes to grow plants? Or should I get different bulbs? I don't want fancy plants. Just live plants. Honestly, though, I don't know the difference between a fancy plant or a simple plant.
I haven't added any ammonia into the cycling tank, yet. And I haven't added any of the old filter media from my currently running healthy tank, yet, because I am still a little unsure of the whole cycling process. I have read the long article on fishless cycling TWICE..and I kind of get it..but I guess I am a little unsure of exactly how to START. Is the ammonia to be added in ADDITION to the used filter media? Or is it an either/or thing? How much ammonia? I know that after I put the ammonia in I test the water to see what the ppm is, but are we talking a about initially adding a capful or a cupful?
How often do I have to check the chemical levels while I am cycling the tank? I've read that if I add the filter media from my currently set up tank, the cycling process can be much faster.
The article about cycling was very good, and I understand the WHY of it all, now. But I am sure I understand the HOW, exactly. I figured the tank could just run, fishless, until I understand...
Thank you to all my new BFF's (Best Fishie Friends), especially Homedog!