I just bought a 55 gallon tank from FB Marketplace. I have been doing research and I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. what are the first steps I need to take to start a freshwater tank?
Posted by Patt-Havok
4 Comments
-FaZeFox- on
very first step i took (im decently new too btw) was adding substrate to the tank after you clean it, if you haven’t already. I recommend getting some stratum (the black soil ball thingies) for the substrate, you can add sand on top of it if you’d like.
Pretty much just put a substrate in there before anything lol
baileyjackson08 on
cycling it.
GranddadsBankshot on
Learn to be very, very patient. This hobby takes time. Cycling is incredibly important. The more the merrier for plants. Buy a filter that’s larger than you need. Learn how to aquascape (MD Tanks on YouTube is my favorite). Don’t over stock. Have fun!!
No_Sign4672 on
Help from a beginner to a beginner. If anyone notices something wrong, please call me out.
First step is decide what fish you want to keep and how hands on you want your tank. Diffrent fish require diffrent parameters somtimes. Think about what fish you want to keep and how you want them to interact. Im sure someone has better reccomendations as far as stocking so ill let then say it. Planted tanks are reccomend for stability and fish happiness. Do research on an ecosystem. Fish, plants, snails, bottom feeders and such.
Understanding the nitrogen cycle is a 100% requirement.
Fish poop. Food decays. This creates ammonia. This is toxic to fish. The bacteria that lives on porous surfaces- ie your filter material, turn this into nitrite. This is also toxic to fish. More bacteria turns this into nitrate, still toxic, but okay in small amounts. Your plants love this actually.
Youll need to cycle your tank. Get some dechlorinator i use tetra brand but alot of people love API. This makes tap water safe. Get some testing equipment. Everyone will reccomend the API master test kit. I prefer strips because im lazy and am more apt to test often with simple strips. Grab either seeded media from another fish keepers established tank, or get some bacteria from your supply store. I did a fishless cycle. Added a but of fish food to rot and create ammonia and get the party started. Without seeded media it can take weeks, so be patient. The cycle is complete when the tank can convert ammonia into nitrite into nitrate. There’s plenty of posts here and YouTube videos. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOUR FISH WILL DIE PAINFULL DEATHS.
Filters dont matter alot as long as they cycle enough water for your tank. Get a bigger filter than you need. Dont buy into the cartridge filter mumbo jumbo. Only clean your filter when water flow slows. Personally id reccomend a sponge filter as they add o2 to the water well reguardless of water height.
4 Comments
very first step i took (im decently new too btw) was adding substrate to the tank after you clean it, if you haven’t already. I recommend getting some stratum (the black soil ball thingies) for the substrate, you can add sand on top of it if you’d like.
Pretty much just put a substrate in there before anything lol
cycling it.
Learn to be very, very patient. This hobby takes time. Cycling is incredibly important. The more the merrier for plants. Buy a filter that’s larger than you need. Learn how to aquascape (MD Tanks on YouTube is my favorite). Don’t over stock. Have fun!!
Help from a beginner to a beginner. If anyone notices something wrong, please call me out.
First step is decide what fish you want to keep and how hands on you want your tank. Diffrent fish require diffrent parameters somtimes. Think about what fish you want to keep and how you want them to interact. Im sure someone has better reccomendations as far as stocking so ill let then say it. Planted tanks are reccomend for stability and fish happiness. Do research on an ecosystem. Fish, plants, snails, bottom feeders and such.
Understanding the nitrogen cycle is a 100% requirement.
Fish poop. Food decays. This creates ammonia. This is toxic to fish. The bacteria that lives on porous surfaces- ie your filter material, turn this into nitrite. This is also toxic to fish. More bacteria turns this into nitrate, still toxic, but okay in small amounts. Your plants love this actually.
Youll need to cycle your tank. Get some dechlorinator i use tetra brand but alot of people love API. This makes tap water safe. Get some testing equipment. Everyone will reccomend the API master test kit. I prefer strips because im lazy and am more apt to test often with simple strips. Grab either seeded media from another fish keepers established tank, or get some bacteria from your supply store. I did a fishless cycle. Added a but of fish food to rot and create ammonia and get the party started. Without seeded media it can take weeks, so be patient. The cycle is complete when the tank can convert ammonia into nitrite into nitrate. There’s plenty of posts here and YouTube videos. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOUR FISH WILL DIE PAINFULL DEATHS.
Filters dont matter alot as long as they cycle enough water for your tank. Get a bigger filter than you need. Dont buy into the cartridge filter mumbo jumbo. Only clean your filter when water flow slows. Personally id reccomend a sponge filter as they add o2 to the water well reguardless of water height.