HELP New to this

[simonarmy]

Hia all iv been reading about these forums for a few months now and have descided to take the plunge and get myself a axie

Im getting a 96 liter (uk) tonight that comes with a 18/20W light (is this to much?) and a Juwel compact filter system. Also comes with a heater but that will be coming straight out as i no dont need it.

What else do i need to get it started ad get the cycling under way and what can i do/use to speed it up and if there is anyone in the suffolk (uk) area that is willing to sell me some bits from there tank to get mine kick started please HELP

 

[simonarmy]

please help

 

[Shizeric]

Try asking a pet store if they will let you have some substrate from an established tank...that can usually help. Just keep up with water changes and monitor all of your levels. Live plants can also assist in the proper establishment of a cycle. And most importantly....BE PATIENT!

 

[simonarmy]

i have a lava fern in my tank . iv got somew blood worm do i add tht to the tank to help with the cycle ? if so how much

 

[Shizeric]

If you already have an Axolotl in there, that's your ammonia source...adding bloodworm would only foul the water more quickly...what do you feed with?

and do you mean java fern?

 

[simonarmy]

no i dont have it in there yet . and what do u mean feed with ?

and yes i ment java fern

 

[Shizeric]

Sorry, I thought you had an Axolotl in there...I'd avoid adding any ammonia sources...just let it go by itself...especially if this is your first time..it's really easy to mess up and a pain to restart if things go wrong.

 

[simonarmy]

ok i read some where tht had to add something for the bactia to fed on unless in mistaken. When do i need to check my levels ?

 

[Shizeric]

Like I said....if you can get some filter media or substrate from a LFS...that will put you way ahead in this process...if you can do that..the process will go much faster..but you will need to test often to make sure the cycle is establishing

 

[simonarmy]

i dont think i will be able to get hold of that as iv never heard of any of the local pet shops having these

how often is often and when do i have to do the 10-20% water change ? and its treated water i replace isnt it ?

sorry asking so many prob dumb questions just wanna get it right

 

[Shizeric]

Substrate is the gravel or whatever they keep on the bottom of the tank..and filter media is the part of their filter that encourages biological filtration...they will have both at ANY pet store.

 

[Derek]

Put some crushed up fish flake for the bacteria to feed on (not too much), don't use fish as I'm having a few problems....

 

[simonarmy]

is that from any fresh water tank ? i got my java fern on a rock out of a fresh water tank which had there fish in

is tht any sort of fish flake ?

Whats the problem with fish ?

 

[Shizeric]

It's easier to do without the fish/animals involved. And yes, media from any freshwater tank should work.

 

[simonarmy]

ok thanks the plant/rock iv got is straight out of a tank and placed in a bag and in to my tank so tht should help a little then .il add a tiny bit of fish food now

any other hints and tips would be gladly welcome