Most importantly, don't forget to properly cycle your tank. Too many fish at
once can only lead to disaster and heartache. The nitrogen cycle is the #1
thing to consider in starting a new tank.

Start with a few very hardy fish to get the waste product going and hence
the ammonia eating bacteria colony started. Zebra Danios are an excellent
starter fish. If your tank becomes cloudy with a milky color after a couple
weeks, don't worry about it, it's a bacteria bloom and is normal part of the
cycle. It will work itself out in about a week.

Check your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels regularly and do alot of 20 -
25% water changes during this time. You'll see a spike in the ammonia, then
after that you'll see a spike in nitrites. When ammonia and nitrite are at 0
and you have some nitrates in the tank, your cycle is complete. Live plants
play a part in this also.

Once your cycle is completed (usually 6 to 8 weeks) then you can stock your
tank with your preferences. pH isn't that big a deal. I've read that the
best practice is to leave the pH alone.

Hope this helps.


--
Happy Fishin' ...
Ray

wrote in message
...
I have just purchased my first tank and would like some tips from you
experts.

I have a 2ft tank have filled it up with water, heater is set for 26C and
the water temp is steady at that temp. I have bought a water softening
pillow and put in the filter for 24 hours (as I have extremely hard water
in
my area) I have also Added some tap water conditioner to the tank as well
as
some water clearing solution. When Can I add the fish?

There are 4 plants in the tank and I have added a large rock feature
(plastic resin) for the fish. I have got a PH testing kit and the PH level
is now at 7.0 which I am told is good for a mixed fish tank.

Regarding the PH levels. My tap water was a PH of 8 which was a little bit
too high, now to lower this I used water from my tap water filter (the
ones
you use to filter your drinking water) as I did a test on this water and
the
PH level was 5.5 so I guessed that adding this water would eventually
balance the PH level out.

1. Ok now what fish should I get?

2. How many fish will this tank sustain without being overcrowded? I would
like fish that don't eat each other and no fish that grow larger than a
few
centimetres.

3. Is my cheap solution an ok way of balancing the PH levels out?

4. What other "stuff" do I need to get i.e. ammonia testers, as I have
seen
so much stuff my head is spinning.

5. What food is good for the fish I am about to get??

6. When I do a small water change(not the whole tank) do I have to warm
the
new water up or can I just add it a bit at a time?

7. Anything else you can think of that might help



TIA

my e-mail address is blazer666(at)rapidplay(dot)com