New to fishkeeping

[Shelley123]

Hi I am new to fishkeeping, having only had my aquarium for three or four weeks. I currently have two fantails, but I am hoping to get some more as soon as the aquarium is safe. I am due to have the water tested again tomorrow, so fingers crossed it will be ok. I have included a small photo of my aquarium, for you to see.
Would like to chat with like minded folk, about this interesting pastime.:18: :19:

[Cichlid_Man]

Welcome to A/C Shelley!

I know you will enjoy your stay here.
You say you will get more fish when the aquarium is safe???

Did you let the tank cycle first, or are you using the fantails to cycle the tank?

There is a great e-book on this forum to help get started, but feel free to ask questions!

[crackatinny]

Welcome to AC:22:. you have come to the right place, there are many knowledgable people on here.
Me, well you could say I am one of the forums crazier members, and there are a few of us, so as you learn you can have fun to:thumb:

[Shelley123]

Hi, nice to meet you. I had to wait two to three weeks before getting the first two fish, the aquarium had to be running first. Then I could only have these two, so I am assuming that they are helping to cycle the tank(?). I have downloaded the ebook, and I am studying as much info as I can. The two fish I have currently seem to be doing well, eating and swimming actively.

[crackatinny]

There are 2 forms of cycling, with or without fish, I am not experienced enough to guide you on either, but from what I understand, cycling with fish, just add fish slowly, when I got my 120ltr tank going I done it this way, and it worked for me, but don't rely on what worked for me.

From what I understand though, you have not done wrong in the way you have done it, but be patient before adding to many.

[Cichlid_Man]

Shelley,
How long did you say the fish are in there?
If you are using those fish to cycle the tank, that could be a danger to them...
You need to test the water regularly.
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and I guess PH too.
You will first see ammonia. That is a danger to fish. You will have to do several water changes as the ammonia rises to keep it less toxic to the fish.
After you see ammonia you will start to see nitrites. That is a sign that you are starting to cycle.
Again, keep doing like 25% water changes every other day.
Finally you will see nitrates. When the nitrates, nitrites and ammonia all go back to zero, you are cycled.
Don't add any ammonia remover! It doesn't work.
The e-book will help you.
BTW - Crackatinny said it right!

Don't feel you did it wrong. There is no right way and wrong way to cycle.
I have cycled tanks with fish before and didn't lose one!
Thanks Crackatinny!

[Shelley123]

The fish have been in there for approximately one week. I have to have water tested tomorrow. I am following instructions from the man I bought equipment and fish from.

[Cichlid_Man]

OK Shelley...
That's good.
If you run into any problems along the way, that's what we are here for.

Sometimes the fish stores like to get you to buy fish right away without meaning any harm. Just be careful NOT to go buying everything they tell you to buy.
When you get your water tested, if there is ammonia, they will tell you to buy ammonia remover or ammo chips. DON'T! They don't work.
Just do water changes....

When you do a cycle using fish, there is a strong possibilty those fish could die from ammonia poisoning. That's why we now use fishless cycling.

Just take it day by day and post your water tests online here.
You could probably start a thread under Beginner Freshwater.

[kimmers318]

What size tank do you have those fantail in? It doesn't look very large, looks like one of the smaller eclipse models. I personally think the eclipse models are great, but you need about a 40 gal eventually for 2 large goldfish. They are considered messy fish and will strain the tank with their output as they grow. You are doing well by learning as much as you can and we will be here to help you thru this. It will probably take weeks before your tank is truly cycled and stable enough to consider anything else in there, but remember, those fantail will get HUGE. I just helped a friend move a 55 gal with 5 in there, and those 5 goldies were crowded in that tank!

[sushant]

welcome to AC.

[Severus]

Welcome to AC

[Chrona]

Welcome :thumb:

[Abbeys_Mom]

Welcome to the forum :)

[jweintraub]

Welcome to AC!

[*Sarah*]

Hello and welcome!
It's great that you're reading and educating yourself. Please do take the advice of the good ppl here, and don't put any more fish in a small tank. Goldfish grow very quickly, and you will need a very large tank eventually just for those 2. For 5 of them you'd probably be looking at at least a 60 gallon tank. You would prob get away with a 30 gal for the 2 you have now when they are full grown. That gives you an idea anyway, of what you'll be looking at in the future, and why we're telling you not to get more :)

I currently have a fantail in a 2.5gal, and it's still very small, but like you, I got it before knowing better, so I'm going to be upgrading as well in the near future.