sumrswim
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hello Everybody,
First off, I have never seen a more helpful internet forum before. I've been browsing posts for some time before registering and posting my own question, and I'm amazed at how quick and detailed the advice is. What a great forum.
I just have a couple questions, but first a very quick background. I've set up my tank and had the water filtering for a week now. I read at an earlier post about cloudy water-- that's what has recently happened to mine. Went from crystal clear to a bit cloudy. Apparently this is normal for a new tank and it should clear up. The water has tested just fine.
I'm going away this weekend so I will wait another week or so to buy fish. That will give it two weeks of cycling without fish. I am still undecided on what to put in there, but am leaning towards community fish at this time. Although I think that 3-5 fish may be ideal (easier to keep clean???).
Okay, a couple questions. First, I bought some plants for the tank. How often do they need to be watered?
Just kidding!
Ok, really: I have a flourescent light above the tank. I leave for work in the morning at 5:30 am and usually do not return until about 6:00 pm or later. Without real plants in the tank at this time, is the light necessary for the fish? Does it matter? I assume that when I'm home I'll have the light on, but during the day when I am gone, is it better for the fish to leave it on even when I am not there to see them?
Also, the guy at the fish store said that using my hand is the best way to put the new fish in the tank. Is this true? I suppose putting as little water as possible from the fish store bag is ideal, but I'm not ready to start "picking up" fish. I had planned on adding the fish right from the bag. Any advice?
Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure I'll have more questions when I am ready to actually put fish in the tank. Thanks!
Lenny
First off, I have never seen a more helpful internet forum before. I've been browsing posts for some time before registering and posting my own question, and I'm amazed at how quick and detailed the advice is. What a great forum.
I just have a couple questions, but first a very quick background. I've set up my tank and had the water filtering for a week now. I read at an earlier post about cloudy water-- that's what has recently happened to mine. Went from crystal clear to a bit cloudy. Apparently this is normal for a new tank and it should clear up. The water has tested just fine.
I'm going away this weekend so I will wait another week or so to buy fish. That will give it two weeks of cycling without fish. I am still undecided on what to put in there, but am leaning towards community fish at this time. Although I think that 3-5 fish may be ideal (easier to keep clean???).
Okay, a couple questions. First, I bought some plants for the tank. How often do they need to be watered?
Just kidding!
Ok, really: I have a flourescent light above the tank. I leave for work in the morning at 5:30 am and usually do not return until about 6:00 pm or later. Without real plants in the tank at this time, is the light necessary for the fish? Does it matter? I assume that when I'm home I'll have the light on, but during the day when I am gone, is it better for the fish to leave it on even when I am not there to see them?
Also, the guy at the fish store said that using my hand is the best way to put the new fish in the tank. Is this true? I suppose putting as little water as possible from the fish store bag is ideal, but I'm not ready to start "picking up" fish. I had planned on adding the fish right from the bag. Any advice?
Any help would be appreciated. I'm sure I'll have more questions when I am ready to actually put fish in the tank. Thanks!
Lenny