popeye77
08-05-2007, 11:00 PM
Hi,
I just started out on this hobby last week and am enjoying it.
I setup a new 29 gallon tank for freshwater fish (topfin 29 gallon with starter kit - 30 gallon filter, 100 watt heater, etc) and have started cycling with fish.
Tank contents
Topfin gravel - i have all the colors mixed up (bought 5 pounds of each color)
Artificial plants and artificial corals
I just followed the guide for setting up an aquarium given in the starter kit. I added the API stresscoat with aloe vera (came with the starter kit and is for reducing chlorine and helping fish to develop coat) and then the API stresszyme - bacterial supplement for setting up the cycle. I also added APC aquarium salt (heard it would relieve stress on the fish - even freshwater ones and so added about 1 tablespoon for each 5 gallons of water).
After 2 days I added a few assorted fish to start cycle with fish. I added
2 blood-fin tetras
2 black skirt tetras
2 Tuxedo platys
All the fish have been feeding well and swimming well without any obvious problems since I brought them.
I have been measuring the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels (using API fresh water master kit) since I set it up, now 7 days ago. All these are measuring zero. The temperature is between 76-78 degrees. However my pH is measuring 7.6-7.8 and I am worried about this high pH. Any suggestions as to what I should do regarding the pH... I dont want to use any pH stabilizers unless absolutely necessary.
Also is this fish load enough to set up the cycle as I have never had a single positive ammonia measure all these days.
Please let me know if I have to do anything else for ensuring a healthy aquarium
I just started out on this hobby last week and am enjoying it.
I setup a new 29 gallon tank for freshwater fish (topfin 29 gallon with starter kit - 30 gallon filter, 100 watt heater, etc) and have started cycling with fish.
Tank contents
Topfin gravel - i have all the colors mixed up (bought 5 pounds of each color)
Artificial plants and artificial corals
I just followed the guide for setting up an aquarium given in the starter kit. I added the API stresscoat with aloe vera (came with the starter kit and is for reducing chlorine and helping fish to develop coat) and then the API stresszyme - bacterial supplement for setting up the cycle. I also added APC aquarium salt (heard it would relieve stress on the fish - even freshwater ones and so added about 1 tablespoon for each 5 gallons of water).
After 2 days I added a few assorted fish to start cycle with fish. I added
2 blood-fin tetras
2 black skirt tetras
2 Tuxedo platys
All the fish have been feeding well and swimming well without any obvious problems since I brought them.
I have been measuring the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels (using API fresh water master kit) since I set it up, now 7 days ago. All these are measuring zero. The temperature is between 76-78 degrees. However my pH is measuring 7.6-7.8 and I am worried about this high pH. Any suggestions as to what I should do regarding the pH... I dont want to use any pH stabilizers unless absolutely necessary.
Also is this fish load enough to set up the cycle as I have never had a single positive ammonia measure all these days.
Please let me know if I have to do anything else for ensuring a healthy aquarium