72 gla. bow front set up

[Jim101]

Got the tank set up yesterday and will be adding the "SafeStart" today. Do I have to remove the carbon from the filter canister before I add it? The tank temp is at 78.

Thanks,

Jim

[Northernguy]

I would read the directions on the bottle.I do not tink you have to remove it.Its not a medication its a cycle boost.
Have you got a test kit yet?
What fish are you getting and how many?

[NickFish]

You shouldn't have to add safestart at all, its not needed in any way shape or form, nor does it benefit anything.

Just add ammonia daily, check out the section on cycling and read the free aquarium ebook.

[Jim101]

Thanks for the advice. On the SafeStart it says to remove the carbon, but, the people that owned the store said it's OK to leave it in. I am wondering why you have to remove it. The thest kit I have is a "Freshwater Master Test Kit". I haven't settled on what kind or amount of fish I will be adding, jsut a community tank.. Loaches, etc..

Thanks,

Jim

[Lady Hobbs]

Don't add bacteria boosters if using the fishless method. Those boosters are for if you are cycling with fish.


Please read the links below.

[Jim101]

LH,

I was going to add some "bottom feeders" after 24 or 48 hrs after adding the SafeStart.

Thanks,

Jim

[Lady Hobbs]

Sorry Jim. I thought you were doing the fishless cycle using ammonia.

Good luck with your new tank and your new fishies.

[Jim101]

LH,

In your opinion do I need to remove the carbon from the filter before adding the SafeStart?

Thanks,

Jim

[Lady Hobbs]

Yes and it's also SafeStarts opinion. :)

[Jim101]

Here we go:
Sunday 1/25: Set up tank, added water.
Wed. 1/28: Added SafeStart. I will be checking out water readings today and adding some "Hearty" fish tomorrrow.. Cats, about two.

Jim

[Rue]

...lol...do you mean 'hardy' fish? Or I suppose you could get some Bleeding Heart tetras...:hmm3grin2orange:

[Jim101]

Good one.....Sometimes I type faster than I think....

Jim

[Rue]

...at least you don't leave out entire words...lol...I do that all the time...and then don't see the mistake until my edit window is over...:hmm3grin2orange:

[Jim101]

Are there any live plants I can add to the tank? Given that I have (1) 48" bulb that is 40w. The guy at the LFS wanted to sell me a light set-up for about $260 for plants, I don't think so...... (Rue, not "light" in the terms of weight.....:ssmile: )

Jim

[Rue]

...bummer! You nipped my joke in the bud... (get it???) Hee hee!:hmm3grin2orange:

Seriously...the low light plants I've had success with are hornwort, elodea (keep forgetting it's 'new' name), Java fern, anubias, onion plant, some swords...enough out there to make your tank look good without special lights...

[Jim101]

Rue,

Thanks for the list, I'll start looking for them, there will be some "plastic" plants in there as well.... I must admit, your answer does make you look "bright".....:ssmile:

Jim

[Rue]

Awww...you're SO sweet....*melting*

[NickFish]

I believe the word your looking for Rue is Aanacharis, Egeria densa. Common names are funny, always changing. Memorize the scientific names for every fish, plant, and invert in existence and you're set. I think I'm about half way down the list. ;)

Not a whole lot of plants you can really keep with only 40w of T8. Even the plants Rue listed won't really grow, chances are they will stay relatively the same size as you bought them. I would at least double or triple the lighting if you are into really growing plants.
Plastic plants would be your best bet with that lighting, and really, it is much better to start off with plastic anyways. Don't forget as well, that the slower your plants grow the easier it will be for algae to overtake them.

In answer to your carbon question, you really shouldn't have carbon in the tank at all. It doesn't descriminate on what chemicals or organisms it removes, it just takes them all out. There are certain things in the water that you would rather stayed. Especially if you are considering plants, taking out the carbon is an absolute must or you will just have to add more liquid fertilizers to the water to put back in what the carbon took out. It doesn't make much sense to remove something just to add it again. Carbon can actually be directly harmful as after about 3-5 weeks it will actually start releasing toxins back into the water in relatively large quantities. With frequent water changes carbon serves no real purpose either way, not to mention the money and time you save by not replacing it eveny 3 weeks.

It is just one of the ways fishkeeping has changed over the years. Back in the day when guppies only came in one variety, plecos were for the rich and well-connected, and neon tetras were $100 a pop carbon was magic. But it is going the way that undergravel filters, algacide and so much other aquarium equipment that was once considered amazing is going. The trash. Recent scientific advances are making this hobby better than ever and we now know much better and simpler ways to do things.
Toss the carbon, just replace it with another sponge or biomedia, the more surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow the better.

Have fun and good luck!

[Jim101]

Nick,

Thanks, those are very true words. Like I said when I joined here, it's been ~22 yrs. since I had freshwater tanks, undergravel was about it, I had a 55 high and some 29's. I am really impressed with the "Bio wheel" on this current filter and what it does. What should I put in place of the carbon?. I'm open to all suggestions (Rue, don't take that as an "Open Door"....;)) I'm even more impressed with this board and everyone here....

Well, in checking my water today, the PH is at 7.8, so I added some Proper PH 7.7 by API and will have to wait a few days before I can add some fish..
Other than that the SafeStart has done it's job.

Thanks,

Jim

[Jim101]

1/31: Added (2) spotted Cory's today

Jim

[Rue]

Cool! Are you getting more? They prefer larger schools.

[Jim101]

I'm looking at a total of six, two more pairs, although I'm not sure which ones at this point. I also want to have a total of five or six Loaches, starting with two Clown Loaches, and finishing the bottom with one Clown pleco.... This is my first tank of this size and I don't want to get "carried away" and have to many fish. What I do want is fish for each "level" in the tank. I am thinking of hatchet fish for the top and a mix to include some "peaceful" Cichlids for the middle....What do you think?

Thanks,

Jim

[Rue]

That's a harder one for me to answer. Other than Oscars (didn't have any, just looked after some) I have little cichlid experience.

I'm also a livebearer fan...

But there are LOTS of members that will know.

I imagine the German Blue Rams would be an option though...

[Jim101]

Rue,

I have been reading up on cichlids and the german blue does seem like a good one, but, I am going to avoid Oscars, just to big... At least I'm not in a rush, I want to do it right....

Jim

[Jim101]

I added (2) Krebensis, a male and female, (2) Clown Loaches on 2/2. Everyone is doing well....

Jim

[Rue]

Congrats!

Pics?

[Jim101]

Thanks, I'll work on the pic's today....

Jim

[Jim101]

2/8:

Added today:

(2) Boesman's Rainbow's Male & Female
(4) Tiger barb's
(2) Kuhli Loaches

All levels in the tank look great. I'm going to hold off for a week or two
on getting any more fish, I want things to "settle down"....

Looking good and loving it,

Jim

[Jim101]

The water is a little "Cloudy", should I do a 10% or 25 % change? The tank has been set up since 1/26..

Thanks,

Jim

[Miltonic]

it looks like you're having a bacteria bloom and thats good sign since you're tank has enough bacteria to support the cycle. I wouldn't change the water since it'll clear when the bacteria stick to the filter/substrate.

[Jim101]

Thanks, I'll hang in there....

Jim

[Jim101]

On 2/19 I added:

2 more Tiger Barbs
2 more Clown Loaches

Looking good and taking my time.....

Jim

[Rue]

Congrats on the new additions! Glad it's going well!

[bushwhacker]

your clown loaches are gonna get 12 inches long hope you plan on a bigger tank

[Jim101]

Rue,

Thanks,

Jim

BW,

As I understand it, they don't grow that fast, by the time they get to
12" I will have another tank..

Jim