15.01.09 72hrs after new tank set up

Here are the water test readings for 72hrs post set up in parts per million (ppm)

Amonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
pH 8.5

Not sure why nitrate is coming up here before nitrite. Maybe because this isn't really a brand-new set up as more than 50% of the water in this tank comes from the old one. Still the amonia is still in there and nitrate is coming up plus I tested the pH with the high range kit which is 8.5. Although this is high, it's not a problem in itself but amonia is more toxic to fish in the presence of high pH (see Chris Andrews et al for more on this)

Aims
To remove amonia
To reduce pH

Action
Add more good bacteria - I'm using King British Safe Water
20% water change

Water used in change
Tesco mineral water x 20ltrs
Morrisons mineral water x 5ltrs

12.01.09 Baseline Measurements in the new tank

It's really important to keep an eye on the water chemistry when setting up a new tank because it can take time to develop a good base of good bacteria in the tank that help to break down toxic fish waste products such as ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. This process is called the Nitrogen Cycle. This means you need to test the water regularly to make sure there is no build up of toxic waste products which can harm the fish.

Here's the baseline results in parts per million (ppm) for my tank 24hrs after set up.

Amonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.o
pH 7.6

Ammonia is coming up a little already. Even a trace cna be really toxic to fish. Amonia is also more toxic in the presence of high pH so as the pH in my tank is at the top of the range for my test kit I need to get a High Range pH test kit. Also I'll need to be thinking about water changes to lower ammonia too.

12.01.09 Hello New tank!

My new tank is a Fluval Roma 125. I got this one because it will be comfortable size to manage and the way the lighting is integrated and the filter and airlines can be fitted is really sleek. It comes with a cabinet too but I've just put it on the big chest of drawers in my living room. See link below for tank info. http://www.onlineaquariumstore.com/acatalog/Fluval_Roma_125.html

I didn't buy it from here though. Much cheaper at Pets at Home who had a sale on :)

It measures 80 x 35 x 50cm, is 120 litres had has the capacity to take 33cm of fish. Thanks about 4-6 of the fancy goldfish that I keep.

It's filtered by a Fluval 3 Plus internal filter (http://www.onlineaquariumstore.com/acatalog/Hagen_Fluval_3_Plus_Internal_Filter.html ) but I've also added a Fluval 104 external filter (http://www.onlineaquariumstore.com/acatalog/Hagen_Fluval_105_External_Filter.html ) that I was using with my previous tank so I should be able to keep the water nice and clean.

In addition I have a Tetratec 300 Air pump powering 2 airwalls and a disc for aeration. http://www.onlineaquariumstore.com/acatalog/Tetratec_APS_300_Air_Pump.html

I did a lot of shopping around for these and tetratec seem to be the best in terms of reliability and quiet running.

I've set the filters up one at each end and using them both as underwater filters. All the aeration in the tank is therefore coming from the Tetratec which should be adequate as it's for tanks up to 300ltrs which is twice as big as mine. having said that, I've had to turn it down a bit as otherwise the it blows the fish around the tank a bit but it seems to do the genle aeration they need nicely.

10.01.2009 Goodbye old tank

I've had my old tank for about 5 years and although there's pleny of room in it for my fish it's a bit gloomy as you can see and I needed to find a solution to increasing the aeration quietly. Solution - buy a new tank!