restarting tank

Question

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Followup To

Question -
We started a 10 gallon fish tank a few weeks ago.  We couldn't get the PH down and the fish died.  We tried for another week or so to balance the tank w/o fish.  Still, no luck.  I have emptied out the tank completely.  What do I have to do to restart?  How thorough does everything need to be cleaned and how?  and how soon can fish be added?  Jen

Answer -
Hi Jen,
  What kind of fish and how many were you trying to add and what was the pH that you were concerned about?  I strongly suspect that pH had nothing to do with the problem, unless your water is really, really alkaline, e.g., pH over 9.

  In general, fish are not nearly as sensitive to pH as people think.  For example, I NEVER test the pH of my water and haven't in years.  

  Are you on municipal water or are you on a well water system or something like that?

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


Ron, actually, I meant to say that the Amonia was high, not the PH.  We had Cichlids (which no one told us we had too small a tank for).  I'm sure we put them in too early.  How can you get the Amonia down and keep it down without killing fish?


Answer
Hi Jen,
  The key to keeping a fish tank is getting it started right. Basically you have to ramp it up because during that time, the tank needs to build up a population of what I will call "good" bacteria.  They feed on fish waste and convert the ammonia into harmless stuff.  So, when you first set up the tank, put only one or two fish in it.  That will provide food for the bacteria, they multiply and eventually (about 4 to 6 weeks) you can add more fish.  

 The other key to a good aquarium is to do regular, partial water changes.  You should change 20% of the water, once a week, every week.  If you do that simple thing, most aquariums will never have a problem.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>