First, I know your supposed to let the water sit for about 3 or 4 weeks. Is it ok to put the gravel in after that time? Or do I have to put the gravel in before the water?
2006-08-06 09:20:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
OMG! I'm overwhelmed.
2006-08-08 03:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by Notnadia 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is much easier to handle the gravel when the tank is empty. If you slope the gravel up from the front to the back of the tank it will look better and be easier to keep clean. washing the gravel before putting it in the tank is a good idea to get rid of the fine dust and silt it always has in it. If you fill your tank and run it for two days the Chlorine should have gassed off and the temp. stabilized. only add a few fish at first. They should start the development of the right sorts of bacteria to aid in nitrogen breakdown, but bacteria starters are available in small bottles or tabs. Keeping the gravel fine will prevent trapping to much waste under it and reduce pollution in the tank.
I suggest you buy a bigger filter than you think you need or than the box says for your tank, under gravel filters work very nicely because the gravel forms a large biological filter. The air pump being a bit large doesn't hurt either, you can set the valves to bleed off excess air letting it run easier and quieter. The only sound my tank makes is the bubbles from the air stones popping.
2006-08-06 17:34:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a search on cycling an aquarium. Put the gravel in, then either cycle the tank with fish or without (look it up, there are some good websites about both). You can't just let the water sit for 3-4 weeks. Be prepared to test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates until they are at safe levels. Only then is your tank ready to house fish safely. There are also good books out there that tell you how to cycle a tank. I like the fishless cycling...it is faster and more humane.
2006-08-06 16:28:43 · answer #3 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should put the gravel in first. Make sure the gravel is clean before you put it in the tank. And then after you get your fish in the tank you will need to buy a gravel vaccum. These cost about 12 dollars. Clean the gravel with the vaccum about once a month so your gravel stays looking good and your fish tank doesn't cloud up. Good Luck!!
2006-08-06 16:50:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What i did for my 20 gallon was i put in the gravel (after a pretty good wash .. no soap or cleaning stuff for ANY reason .. ) my decorations .. pour in the water and get the water tested to see if the ph level is correct .. to see if the water is too hard or too soft .. before putting in your fish .. gravel is the best thing to go into an aquarium in my opinion .. it helps culture good bacteria :)
I have had the best experience starting an aquarium with hardy freshwater fishes like zebra danios .. tetras .. if it is salt water aquarium i wouldn't know which fish but same process above
happy fish keeping!!
2006-08-06 16:28:53 · answer #5 · answered by tantalus1076 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always put the gravel in first. No particular reason, it's just the way I did it. Get a cheap strainer, and put the gravel in. Then rinse thoroughly under water.
I've never heard of letting the water sit for 3 - 4 weeks, I let mine sit for 2 -4 days. We have chlorinated water, so I put the dechlor in and let it sit the recommended time.
2006-08-06 16:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravel first - rinsed like has been said. The reason being in cycling the gravel is where the beneficial bacteria you are building will be - not in the water column.
2006-08-06 21:10:52 · answer #7 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, No, No, We (my wife and I) and have a 120, a 90, and a 30 gallon aquarium. If you have a underwater filteration system put that in. Next, even through the bag might say DUST-FREE take the gravel and put it in strainer (collander) and run water through it in your kitchen sink. Now you put the gravel in your aquarium BUT, don't forget to declorify it. PETSMART, PETCO carrys all of that stuff. Now add your water and wait 1 to 2 days and you start adding fish.
BUT don't forget the declorifier. That is a must.
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Good luck.
2006-08-06 20:25:52 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always put the gravel in first to make sure any dust/debris gets filtered out before the fish are put in
2006-08-06 16:24:38 · answer #9 · answered by John B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋