
Originally Posted by
Bojangles69
i work in animal specialty at petsmart
1) always let filter run 2 or 3 days before buying fish to get through new tank syndrome.
2) add fish gradually 2-4 every week so bacteria cultures can keep up and break down ammonia. otherwise ammonia rises, fish weaken, stop producing bacteria, ammonia stops breaking down even more, fish die.
3) buffers are always good in a new tank to keep ph stable, actual ph depends on type of fish.
4) cloudiness is always natural the first week or 2 of a new tank as bacteria spawns it cloud the tank, eventually it established cultures in the filter, dont buy water clarifier or you slow down the bacteria maturation process and wind up making the water cloudier longer, chems like cycle help speed up the process.
5) dont over feed
6) have good circulation in the water to avoid decay and uneaten food from settling in the bottom and rotting, air bubble and jets help keep waster flowing into the filter
7) bring water into your local petsmart for free water tests the first few weeks and talk to someone competent who know what they're talking about.
how do you know if they're competent?? theyll mention all the things i just did.
much luck