Subject: Newbie Questions
From: "Ray Martini"
Date: 10/31/2004 7:21 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

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.

Instead of using fish to cycle a tank (it really is hard on them, sometimes
lethal), why not fishless cycle the tank.
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html