New 20 gallon tank

[calebmoon16]

I have had a 20 gallon tank for about a year now and the last of my fish died about 2 months ago. Today I finally got around to cleaning it out. I set aside all my decorations in a bucket with some of the water from the tank and have completely replaced all of the rocks and filled it up with new water. I am going to dechlorinate it and all that good stuff in a bit but I was wondering what else I need to do? I'm also leaving to go to the beach for two weeks tomorrow so I'm trying to get everything added and ready to go for when I get back.
Thank you!
-Caleb


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[Gibberwatt]

YOu didn't mention anything about cycling your tank - If you haven't heard about it, Here is how it goes:

1 - fish poop rots, turning into ammonia
2 - ammonia is absorbed by a type of bacteria, and turned into nitrites
3 - nitrites are absorbed by a different type of bacteria, and turned into nitrates
4 - nitrates are absorbed by plants

this takes about a month for the bacteria to establish. You need to get some ammonia, and administer it to the tank daily, I am not sure of the dosage. Or you can get some fish, who automatically make ammonia, although you have to do daily 25% water changes.

hope this helps