I set up a 90 gallon tank three months ago, and I'm a little out of my league....
I was told to start out with 6 fish and added 6 more every three weeks. Now I have 1 plecostomus, and a handful of gouramis, swordtails, tiger barbs, clown loaches and a couple mollies. I think we have a total of 18-20 fish in there now....
Anyway, I was originally lead to believe that this was no more involved than "Get tank, fill with water, gravel, places to hide and fish. Set up filter, heater and air supply and throw some food in on occaision. Drink a beer.". Well, I was wrong....
The water is a bit cloudy (white) and I've been doing a LITTLE studying, but I still don't know enough to be dangerous.... I'm thinking I should probably start doing weekly water changes of 20-25%, but, other than that, I'm clueless (I've done ONE 25% water change, as I was told to start doing them MONTHLY, but no more frequently. I'm thinking this was a little off the mark, as far as frequency???). People have suggested adding salt??? What's up with that? I originally filled the tank with softwater, from the tap, and that's it. Won't salt kill my fish???
I know that I have to mind my ammonia and nitrate levels, but I don't have a clue what is considered "good", let alone, how the heck to measure them or what to do to change them...
Anything you guys can advise me on would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
PS: This set up was given to me by my mom as she quit using it a number of years ago. She can't recall how she kept her water so clear, but I remember it being crystal, all the time...
I was told to start out with 6 fish and added 6 more every three weeks. Now I have 1 plecostomus, and a handful of gouramis, swordtails, tiger barbs, clown loaches and a couple mollies. I think we have a total of 18-20 fish in there now....
Anyway, I was originally lead to believe that this was no more involved than "Get tank, fill with water, gravel, places to hide and fish. Set up filter, heater and air supply and throw some food in on occaision. Drink a beer.". Well, I was wrong....
The water is a bit cloudy (white) and I've been doing a LITTLE studying, but I still don't know enough to be dangerous.... I'm thinking I should probably start doing weekly water changes of 20-25%, but, other than that, I'm clueless (I've done ONE 25% water change, as I was told to start doing them MONTHLY, but no more frequently. I'm thinking this was a little off the mark, as far as frequency???). People have suggested adding salt??? What's up with that? I originally filled the tank with softwater, from the tap, and that's it. Won't salt kill my fish???
I know that I have to mind my ammonia and nitrate levels, but I don't have a clue what is considered "good", let alone, how the heck to measure them or what to do to change them...
Anything you guys can advise me on would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
PS: This set up was given to me by my mom as she quit using it a number of years ago. She can't recall how she kept her water so clear, but I remember it being crystal, all the time...