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elb08
04-07-2011, 04:34 PM
Hello,

My name is Erin... I'm new at this whole thing, but forums are so helpful so I decided to join this one. I've had aquariums all throughout childhood (when I didn't have to take care of it or know anything about it) but I'm now interested in learning for myself. As a kid I had all kinds of community fish and then a couple differnet Oscars... they are so neat.

My first go as an adult ended in disaster. I begged my "fiance" (now Husband) for a tank for Christmas, it was 10 gal, I ran out and bought probably at least 10 community fish... maybe some water conditioner, a net, and food... and well I'm sure you can figure out how that ended. :scry:

So... fast forward a couple years... I had swore off aquariums, but I was always intereted. I started actually researching and ended up with a male batta in a 1 gal filtered tank, and some female bettas in a 5 gal tank. It went well, but I couldn't keep those darn dwarf african frogs alive nomatter what. Lol. (I did keep live plants this time and they did great!)I called it quits on that...

Well our wedding anniversary was yesterday, and my ridiculously wonderful and patient Husband bought me a 20 gal kit. It's the Aqueon kit, and it was 40% off at Petco. (tank, lid, light, heater, filter) I think it was a great deal. So... here I am.

I actually got it last weekend so it's been up and running, and just 2 days ago I added 5 Zebra danios to start. (There was also a pleco but it died from not eating the pleco wafers:scry: ) I actually have a water testing kit this time and have been on top of that. The water is at 7.5 ph, and 0ppm Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite so far.

I am ordering all my plants tomorrow, and I currently have a BEAUTIFUL piece of mopani wood in there. I want it to be a natural sort of theme.

I have already planned and researched the fish I want. I'm tossing around 2 ideas as of now. One is a community tank with 1 male Betta, I have seen this successfully done and I love Bettas! The other is just a comunity with guppies instead of Bettas.

I know I'll want a bigger tank at some point, but this was a sbig as I could go until I can prove to my husband that I actually have it together and can do it right this time(blush) lol.

So there's my story................Hi everyone!:fish:

Cliff
04-07-2011, 04:59 PM
Welcome to the forum Erin

Are you farmilar with cycling a tank with fish ?

elb08
04-07-2011, 05:14 PM
Welcome to the forum Erin

Are you farmilar with cycling a tank with fish ?

Well I just read the thread on here about it. I was slightly off in my understanding when purchasing the pleco, I realize I shouldn't have gotten him that soon, (I have no hesitations of getting a pleco for this tank because I do want a larger tank so I could plan it around him). I think the Danios will suit the purpose just fine from what I've read.

I, of course, used dechlorinator, and I have some other water treatments but I have not seen the ammonia register in my testing so I haven't added anything else. The dechlorinator was some formula that said it helped the slime coat and added beneficial bacteria as well.

When should I start seeing the Ammonia register? I have the API drip test kit.

elb08
04-07-2011, 07:56 PM
Scratch that... I think yesterday there must have been a teensy ammonia level, because today we're showing at .25. NO2/NO3 still at zero. Woo-hoo, it had begun. So I did a small water change, added de-chlor, and will test again tomorrow! The Danios are acting perfectly fine. :)

DylanisHawttt
04-07-2011, 08:28 PM
I was going to say the reason why you had 0 ammonia/nitrites/nitrates is because the cycle had not begun yet but I think you've realized that from researching information.

I cycled my 29 gallon with community fish and it went great. Just make sure you really keep up on the water changes and it'll go by smoothly thumbs2:

Welcome to the AC :22:

elb08
04-07-2011, 09:04 PM
I was going to say the reason why you had 0 ammonia/nitrites/nitrates is because the cycle had not begun yet but I think you've realized that from researching information.

I cycled my 29 gallon with community fish and it went great. Just make sure you really keep up on the water changes and it'll go by smoothly thumbs2:

Welcome to the AC :22:

Yes, silly me... said it before I had tested for the day. I may not know everything, but I know enough to be dangerous!(blush)

gadget228
04-07-2011, 11:01 PM
Welcome to the AC... :22:

genocidex
04-08-2011, 12:46 AM
welcome welcome

boang3000
04-08-2011, 11:31 AM
welcome to AC!