Hello

[BermudaBlue]

I'm new here and hope to fit in well with everyone. I am facinated by fish; I don't know why I just love watching them. I'm working on setting up a planted 20 gallon aquarium; I love the natural look. My last one didn't work out so great. Hopefully i'll have better luck this time. I will love any tips that can better my success and I can't wait to expand my my horizons and set up more complex aquariums. Aquariums are a lobor of love! Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Aquarium1]

Welcome to AA. What do you keep in your 20g?

 

[BermudaBlue]

I just set it up a few days ago so right now i'm just trying to get everything balanced. I'm thinking zebra danios since this is my first aquarium (actually second but I messed up the other so I started over),
oto cats since they do well in planted aquariums (after I cycle it) and I want to add my betta; I think she'll do well.

 

[Aquarium1]

ok good that you know about cycling. Are you using fish food or ammonia to cycle your tank? Do you have an API Master Test kit. Just so you know female bettas are best kept in groups.

 

[BermudaBlue]

I'm not sure, what would be the best way? And I do have a master test kit.

 

[Aquarium1]

Ok good. You could use the ammonia approach, but what I did is take a pinch of fish flakes and add it every day. After two weeks start testing every other day. Once Ammonia and nitrite becomes 0, do a pwc to suck up all the excess food.

 

[BermudaBlue]

So, what about water changes while cycling? Is it alright to have live plants in the aquarium while cycling? The whole cycling thing kind of confuses me; theres so many techniques.

 

[Aquarium1]

Plants can speed up the cycle. Water changes are unnecessary during fishless cycling since there's no fish and it slows down the cycle.

 

[ampa one]

welcome to AA

 

[BermudaBlue]

Approximately how long will it take to complete cycling and start adding fish?

 

[BermudaBlue]

welcome to AA

Thanks

 

[ampa one]

Around 2 weeks start testing water

 

[Aquarium1]

It took me 3 weeks but at first I didn't have a heater. If you have your temp set at around 81 (just for cycling) it might take shorter. once you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites with a few nitrates, you can start adding a few fish at a time.

 

[BermudaBlue]

Alright, than you very much for the help. I think I have a better understanding of cycling. I feel more confident about getting the cycling started.

 

[Aquarium1]

Great

 

[discus_lover]

hello and welcome to our forum...

 

[jimv8673]

welcome

Good to see you here at AA.com, The place where everyone to get the Right answers

 

[melosu58]

Welcome aboard.