[Quarantine tank general question]

I can probably find place to put a quarantine tank. I have a pre set heater, and an extra hood because the one that I had I really DID not like.. so I can use it I guess. As for the filter!! I have a hang on back one right now that I am going to "rig up" Cory style (LOL) and am waiting for all the filter stuff to come in. How do I get another one in my 20 G? Should I purchase a sponge filter and just add it to my tank now while its cycling? I saw the ones on here that are for a 10 G and was wondering if I put that one in there and then use it for a quarantine tank? 

 

[Hi! New to the Aquarium hobby!]

So I have another question. I have been doing my chemistry DAILY!! and since the first day with the API fresh water testing kit (Dec 31st 2020), my PH has not changed from the between 7.2-7.6 range (I did do a PH high today and it read 7.7). My Ammonia has stayed a 0ppm, my Nitrite, 0ppm and Nitrate 0ppm. Even today same thing.  I was hoping to see a bit of Nitrate by now.. an itty bitty bit.. but NOPE. See yesterdays below. Todays looked exactly the same.. 

I was going to do a water change, as I have been doing them every second day. But should I? I have been feeding my fish every second day (VERY VERY little). 

Is this normal? Should I be doing something different? My tank has been up and running since Dec 18th and fish have been in it since Dec 23rd. 

Maybe I am being inpatient.. I don't know.. my Guppy looks fine (I think?) He swims up and down side to side. Eats like a beast when I feed him. The snail is very active as are the Cory's. 

[Quarantine tank general question]

Hi~

Being new and inexperienced to the fish/aquarium hobby. I have a question about quarantine tanks.

I currently have a 20 Gallon High tank. its still cycling, but when the time comes that I can add new fish, should I get another tank to quarantine my new fish in? Is it necessary because my current fish load is 1 guppy, 2 Cory cat fish, and a mystery snail. If I should have one (heard Cory say a 10 gallon). What is needed to get it ready and set up? Is this a tank that most people have up and running all the time? 

Any advise is welcomed 🙂

 

[Hi! New to the Aquarium hobby!]

Hi There~

Thank you so much for your feedback and the fish recommendations, I really appreciate it. to answer your question, I put the fish in the aquarium without the water. I used a net to release them into my tank, but some of the water did get in though. one store said to put some of the water in my tank the other said not to. So, I was not sure which one was right. 

I want to get SO many more fish but want to get the Cory cat fish first of course. I plan to eventually have a school of 6 because they are such awesome little dudes! I have an albino and a peppered. I want to get 2 more albino and 2 more peppered ones for sure. I love all your recommendation's, they are super helpful. I just wish my tank would cycle already so I can add more fish 😞

I keep checking my water chemistry, and the fish to make sure everyone is okay. The water is not clear, but I now that is expected so I am not panicked about it.. 

If and when I get more fish, should I add the some of the water from the pet store to my aquarium?

[Hi! New to the Aquarium hobby!]

Hi Everyone!

I am Sandra, and I live in Wilmington NC. I always wanted an aquarium. but was totally petrified to start because I know absolutely NOTHING about starting one, keeping one, fish.. NADA. I finally decided to take the leap, and purchased a 20 gallon tall aquarium kit. The only thing I did know is that I wanted to have real plants, rocks, landscape, besides that stared a ground zero. Here's how it started, and where I am not. I an in this group to get as much support as I can, so I can grow and learn to eventually graduate to a larger tank and not be as stressed as I am now. 

On Dec 18th went to the local pet store purchase a aquarium starter kit (YAY me). I purchased a beginner aquarium plant package on line, and went to a local fish aquarium store, and purchased the following: 1 Mountain Rock, 1 Dragon Stone, a beautiful piece of drift wood (that was in an established aquarium in the store) bag of Eco complete black substrate, and Este Shallow creek pebble stone. Brought all my toys home, and set it all up. I was stoked!

ON Dec 22nd(different store btw), brought my water to be tested (mistake #1), they said it was great. I explained that this was a brand new tank , and they said I could have fish. so guess what I did.. got 3 guppies and a mystery snail. brought everyone home, floated them in the tank for 20 min, and let them go. On Dec 24th, guppy # 1 died. I was devastated. I checked my water with the test strips, all looked fine per the bottle parameters. Dec 26th, I did a 25% water change, a little clean up fed the fish and called it a day. Dec 28th, here I go again, (mistake # 2) purchased 2 cory cat fish (which I am obsessed with) followed the same process, and let them into the tank. I also got a bubble stone for the aquarium. On Dec 30th, another guppy dies. Now I am under the impression I am doing something very wrong. I send out a desperate plea to my FB friends for ANYONE who has aquarium experience to please advise. 

A friend jumps in and helps me to begin to understand the cycling process, and sends me a video from Cory, and that is how I have begun to understand my mistakes and learn how to save what I have left. Here is what I have done up to now to try to fix my rookie mistakes. First thing, my friend told me to get Seachem prime (no one told me I had to prime my tap water.. ya..ugh), I got the API fresh water kit (because up till then was not even looking at ammonia). I purchased an aquarium heater that I can actually calibrate and control, a digital thermometer to maintain my water temp and a timer for my lights. I don't even know what I would do if my friend didn't come to my rescue and refer me to aquarium co op. I believe my results would have been worse (not saying that things can't change now.. but working hard to save them).

Currently, I am letting my tank cycle, doing chemistry daily, doing water changes every second day (20%), feeding the fish every second day (very little). I watches Cory's video (big fan here!), and purchased reusable Filter medium (one for the internal and an external one as well), as currently have the ready made stuff that comes with the Aqueon quiet flow filter I have. Which is just not great. 

So, here I am. I made mistakes but will NOT give up! I look forward to learning from this forum. 

ps: I can't seem to get my picture to rotate.