Getting Started

Question
I have jsut got my 55gal fresh water tank set up and about ready to start adding my fish :-).  I have had the water in the tank and the filter running with no carbon for a week.  I have not tested my water just yet because i am not sure what else i need to do.  I have purchased stress zyme and stress coat from dr. forster and smith but have not added it yet. I have the water temp at a steady 78 degrees.  So i believe that is good for the tropical fish that I am hoping to add to it.

I guess my first question is what should i do to make this ready for my new friends.  I have read other answers and they all refer to once a tank is "cycled" or "established".  What does that mean and how do I do that?

Once my tank is ready for fish I have been thinking about the following inhabitants.  I have based these on some schemes that your fellow expert Karen has provided to another novice.  If you could maybe provide me with a good number for each and suggestions of what are the best for each species that would be great. I am aiming for bigger fish.

Angelfish
Swordtails Gouramis(neon blue dwarf, blue or giant)(2 pair?)
barbs
Sterbas Cory
Perpermint plecostomus

I looked at these fish on live aquaria.com.  I would try to get them all from a store rather than online.  What do you suggest?

I appreciate all your help and look forward to your response.

Answer
Hi There,

Let everything run for at least 72 hours and get the temperature settings right and the water moving.
Put 2 or 3 mollies in the tank. Float each fish in its bag in the tank for 30 minutes to bring the bag water to the same temperature as the tank.

Add 1/4 cup of tank water to the bag and retie it.

Do this twice more, removing water if the bag gets too full. Throw that water out - don't dump it into the tank.

Take the bag out of the tank and open it.

Catch the fish with a net and put it in the tank. Discard the bag water - it shouldn't be added to the tank.

Be sure not to overfeed them or you'll prolong the cycling process since fish make waste.

Use a test kit after 5 days to check the pH, salinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. If they're acceptable, the tank is ready for your fish. If the levels are too high, test it after 4 more days.

When the chemical levels are all okay and the tank temperature is within tolerances, it's time to buy your fish!

This usually takes 4-6 weeks.

All the fish you have mentioned are fine to keep together. I recommend getting them from the store as this will cause less stress to the fish.

Hope this helps,
Chloe :)