Hello all,
First post here....so I got a 75 gallon bowfront freshwater aquarium. I would like to eventually add some African Cichlids and other medium sized fish. I am currently in the beginning stages of cycling but am confused! I usually research EVERYTHING especially before buying but I must admit this hobby is intense! I'm beginning to think that I definitely bit off more than I could chew but the more and more I read on fish hobbyists I am intimidated but yet I can't stop. I would love to have my tank looking good and having healthy fish as well which is why I want to do things right.
Currently my set up is a 75 gallon tank. I put in black aquarium sand, real aquarium plants (not sure which as I threw out the labels), and several decorative pieces. I also hooked up a Fluval 406 filter to it and the tank is drilled.
My current dilemma is:
1. What chemicals do I need to get this baby going? I read that I will need bacteria, stress coat, stress zyme, and aquarium salt. I also got an ammonia reader and ph level reader as I did not want to bother with the strips. Can you advise as to what other chemical to get for the start up of the tank as well as maintainment of the tank?
2. I read that fishless cycles are better and faster. Any advice as to where to get the ammonia for this and how to do this in Layman's terms? Ive looked it up but all articles assume all fish owners already know the terminology.
3. I also looked up regarding the need for an air pump and am getting mixed reviews. I personally dont have the "waterfall" effect due to having the tank drilled but there is some flow due to the blowing in of the cycled water (if that made sense...). Should I get an air pump or not? what is its purpose and if so, what size?
4. I want to get several african cihlids, one or two synodontis catfish, and one medium sized cichlid like a electric blue jack dempsey. questions are: are all these compatible (Ive seen them as tankmates before), what should be my limit for the africans in a 75 gal, and can I have two EBJD?
Thanks in advance for all of your responses. They are IMMENSELY appreciated as I am just starting up and want to ensure Im doing things right.
First post here....so I got a 75 gallon bowfront freshwater aquarium. I would like to eventually add some African Cichlids and other medium sized fish. I am currently in the beginning stages of cycling but am confused! I usually research EVERYTHING especially before buying but I must admit this hobby is intense! I'm beginning to think that I definitely bit off more than I could chew but the more and more I read on fish hobbyists I am intimidated but yet I can't stop. I would love to have my tank looking good and having healthy fish as well which is why I want to do things right.
Currently my set up is a 75 gallon tank. I put in black aquarium sand, real aquarium plants (not sure which as I threw out the labels), and several decorative pieces. I also hooked up a Fluval 406 filter to it and the tank is drilled.
My current dilemma is:
1. What chemicals do I need to get this baby going? I read that I will need bacteria, stress coat, stress zyme, and aquarium salt. I also got an ammonia reader and ph level reader as I did not want to bother with the strips. Can you advise as to what other chemical to get for the start up of the tank as well as maintainment of the tank?
2. I read that fishless cycles are better and faster. Any advice as to where to get the ammonia for this and how to do this in Layman's terms? Ive looked it up but all articles assume all fish owners already know the terminology.
3. I also looked up regarding the need for an air pump and am getting mixed reviews. I personally dont have the "waterfall" effect due to having the tank drilled but there is some flow due to the blowing in of the cycled water (if that made sense...). Should I get an air pump or not? what is its purpose and if so, what size?
4. I want to get several african cihlids, one or two synodontis catfish, and one medium sized cichlid like a electric blue jack dempsey. questions are: are all these compatible (Ive seen them as tankmates before), what should be my limit for the africans in a 75 gal, and can I have two EBJD?
Thanks in advance for all of your responses. They are IMMENSELY appreciated as I am just starting up and want to ensure Im doing things right.