New Tank Question

[Deleted User]

Some of you are aware of the mbuna issue I've had this week.

We are setting up our 75g tomorrow, and I have been seeding filters in various tanks (primarily fancy goldfish).

I have ordered a package of new mbunas that should arrive on Wednesday.

My question is, should I fill the tank and run the filters with some carbon filters, and add the seeded media a few hours prior to adding the new mbunas (who won't need QT it seems -- they'll be all for the tank at this time).

OR should I not fill the tank until the day the fish are to arrive and at that time just add the seeded media?

I've been really upset, even re-arranging client meetings to try and get to the bottom of my mbuna problem -- seems to have been caused by new plastic plants! I'm so excited that this dealer was able to put together the mbuna package I wanted! Some happy news...

And a little more happy news....................... Yesterday, I got my first ever fish shipment. Some adorable (omg, so cute to my eyes) Rainbow Cichlid babies... They will eventually go into a big tank w/ our blood parrots.

[yamaracer5]

If i was doing it i would fill it up the day before and get everything going to make sure everything is working properly , like your heaters and such and then add the seeded media a little before you put them in.Congrats on the new mbuna too!!

[Twe3k]

if you seed make sure to keep an ammonia source going, until your fish arrived.. fish food is a good way of doing this:):22: goodluck with your mbunas:22:

[Deleted User]

Thanks!

I have extra filter media running in almost all our tanks now trying to get ready to set up the new, bigger tanks.

I'm excited. It has been a cruddy fish week with the mbuna situations so I'm ready for some happy fish stuff going on (in additon to those cutie rainbow cichlid babies that is!).

[Northernguy]

A few hours before will be fine Jill!
It will give it time to run the fresh wate through a few times before adding the fish.
I'm glad to hear you found the fish you were after!thumbs2:
What did the plastic plants do to your tank?
I must have missed that thread.

[Deleted User]

I think my mbunas were killed by toxins from a plastic plant (one that is made for aquariums!). I spent so much time this week removing this and that, and they started to feel noticably a lot better when I removed the darn plants (they were new, but well rinsed). Other changes in a 3-week period included using purigen as the chemical filter media in one filter, adding a Cell Pore / ReeFresH20 cartridge in the other filter -- but both filters retained their little sponge plate that supposedly house the good bacteria. I tested and my water parameters were always very good, so I didn't spike a mini cycle. It was the pits. I was upset about it to say the least, but happy to have finally figured out what I think caused it. None of the fish showed any sign, that I know to recognized anyway, of disease or injuries.


IF I want to fill the tank today (I do!), is that okay? I have all the stuff and each filter has two sides. I thought maybe i could put the new media in one side of each and then a few hours prior to the fish going in (Wednesday), I could put the seeded media in the filters. Would this hurt anything? I'd love to fill that sucker up today.


Thanks!!!

[sheamurai]

I had my tank running for a week before putting fish in it, Jill. To me, having the tank clean, settled, and at the right temperature ready and waiting made sense.
I wasn't sure how long bacteria could go without food however, so I put the seeded media in while the fish were floating around in the tank bag acclimitising.
That way I could fuss with the tank and not be tempted to let them out sooner than they should have been, lol. I had no fish deaths, and no hiccups in water parameters.

[Lab_Rat]

It's not going to hurt to fill up the tank and have it running today. Just wait til right before you add the fish to add the seeded media so you don't have to feed the bacteria as you would if you moved the media today. Congrats on the new fish! I've been considering rainbow cichlids instead of mbuna too.

[bushwhacker]

go ahead and set up the tank jill with the seeded filters drop in one of your goldies till the mbuna come in then just take him out.. this way you'll know the tanks good to go

[Deleted User]

Sounds good!!! I still need H to help me put the back ground on, then I will fill her up!!!

We're putting mbuna's in this one, but I have those little (1" or so -- but I think they've grown noticeably in the few days I've had them!), but they will eventually go in a tank with the parrots. From what i understand, they should make good tankmates to each other. Hopefully my mbunas will fair well in the 75g. We picked up some red (orange) zebras today to keep the filter going in the 38g, and I will keep them qt there for a couple-few weeks before adding them to the mbuna that should arrive on Wednesday. Basically, both sets will be QT from each other.

[Discus_Dude]

Congrats on your new tank and fish.

Best of luck with them!

[Deleted User]

Thanks!!!

We just filled it up and turned it on!!! It looks so pretty!!!! I'll post pics of it soon. I want to get more flower pots for it -- meant to while I was out today and forgot. Plus, it's got that air bubble thing going on the sides right now but pics will follow. I should wait until Wednesday when it will be occupied as well as filled with water but may not be able to resist. Plus, I love the stand we have for it. I wish I could have found as nice a ones for the 55g's, but couldn't. I like the 55g stands okay, but not nearly as much as I like this one the 75g is on.

I'll leave you all in suspense (somehow, I think you can all survive that suspense) as to what is on the bottom... Sand? Blue Gravel? Black Gravel? Neutral Gravel? Or my favorite overall color -- Purple? Stay tuned [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[sheamurai]

Anyone want to place bets? LOL
She bought that pfs not too long ago, I'm betting she couldn't resist seeing what it looks like...

[Lab_Rat]

OMG, please not purple!!!

I'm hoping for sand or black...both would look great for mbuna.

[Deleted User]

My first tanks had purple gravel! And hot pink, too, is a pretty color... hmmm....................... Hope you all won't be too let down when you see what it has on the bottom [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[sheamurai]

I doubt you 'll let us down - you may surprise us, but we're gtting used to that from you!
:)

[Mith]

if you seed make sure to keep an ammonia source going, until your fish arrived.. fish food is a good way of doing this:):22: goodluck with your mbunas:22:

That's what I was going to say. Once my tank cycled I kept the cycle going by adding a small amount of amonia for a day or so until I got my fish!