Thanks. I'm glad my instincts seem to be right.

Ammonia has arrived today, so cycling begins in earnest.

I have set up my tank, and am awaiting the ammonia to arrive so I can start cycling. Water has been in for 48 hours to clear chlorine, and I have done an ammonia test which was clear; so I understand that means the water wasn't cloranimated.

I inherited a Fluval U4 filter, but when I picked it up, the tank was empty and had been for some time, so obviously the bacteria won't have survived. Should I therefore give it a thorough clean and buy new filter material, so as to start anew? I'm a bit concerned about not thoroughly cleaning things, in case they carry something I don't want.

Also, on the subject of filters. I have seen lots about venturi - is there a guide somewhere as to which fish want/need the verturi added?

Thanks

Thanks fishlady - can I mix different types of guppies, as I've done with the mollys? My daughter wants to be able to name each of them!!

Slowly doing my research and I am at the stage where I can start getting the tank loaded.

My tank is 110 (80x40x35), it's a Fish Pod.

It came with a Fluval U4 filter (I'm hoping the fact the filter has been used already will help with the cycling), and Aqadvisor says my filter capacity is 143%, so I'm happy with that.

Water hardness is 283 ccpm, which I believe is 16 degrees on the German scale.

I have fish selection sorted -

6 cherry barbs
1 pearl gourami
1 black swordtail
1 marble molly
1 balloon molly
1 sailfin molly
1 flame guppy
2 nerite snails

Aqadvisor says capacity is 86% without the snails, as it doesn't include those.

A few questions -
I would like to have some real plants - is there a specific substrate I should look for, and is there a calculator to determine how much I need?
Will the snails be enough to control algae in the tank? Should I add an algae eating fish? Especially to get the algae at the top of the tank, seeing as the snails tend to stay on the bottom.
What should I use to clean the tank and filter etc with? I don't want to introduce chemicals that will upset the fish.

Any other comments or advise gratefully received.

Thanks,

Thanks, that's helpful. I did wonder if it was a sales ploy - but then the balls are cheaper than the ammonia and testing stuff!! But I will stick to that method.

I went to my local aquatic centre to make some enquires before I start my tank set up.

I was talking to them about starting the cycling with some ammonia, and they were very surprised that people still recommend this way of doing it; and suggested the Pure bacteria balls.

Are the bacteria balls safe and thorough? It certainly seems a much easier process than the cycling - and reduces user error, but obviously I will do whatever is the best option.

Don't know how to edit the first post - that was my first list, which I have since seen is not brilliant.

The current list is:

7 cherry barbs
1 pearl gourami
1 sailfin molly
1 balloon molly
1 marble molly
1 black swordtail
1 glame guppy



http://www.aqadvisor.com/AqAdvisor.ph ... short&AqSearchMode=simple

This is what I'm thinking of going for -

6 dwarf rasbora
1 flame guppy
1 marble mollie
1 silver flying fox (for the algae at the top of the tank)
2 nerite snails (for the algae at the bottom of the tank)

Is this an ok community? As far as I can work out, it's not too many fish for the size, they all need the same temperature, and they are all ok with live plants. I think they are compatible?
Is there a specific gravel I should chose/avoid? And specific plants?

Thank you.

I have had a look and found a 100 l tank on facebook marketplace.

It looks in good condition, and has everything but a light, so that looks like my best option.

So that gives us much more space.

I'm going to do some research and come up with a plan for what I'd like to stock it with.

The ratio I was given was 1 inch of fish for every 4 litres. Is that wrong?