cycling a new tank

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I am new to the world of aquariums.I bought a 30 gallon freshwater aquarium on 3-12-08. I added AmQuel the following day Today, I took a sample of my water to the local pet store and my pH tested high so they sold me a product called pH-Down and told me to bring another water sample in tomorrow. Also, the local pet store sold me a product called Stability that is supposed to help cycle my tank. I asked them what kind of fish I should use to cycle my tank and they told me goldfish. However, I have read on several websites not to do that because it will introduce bad bacteria into the tank. What fish do you think I should use to cycle my tank???? Thank You!

ANSWER: Hi Cindy:  What was your pH?  It drives me crazy when I hear stories like yours.  First off... goldfish and tropical fish should not be mixed... goldfish are cold water fish whereas tropical fish are warm water fish... yes there are instances when the two live in perfect harmony but in most cases one or the other ends up sick.  

Tank Cycling:  Pet Stores and Aquarium Stores are all too happy to sell you products and chemicals to cycle your tank.  These products work ok when people are impatient.  The best way to cycle a tank is to set the tank up( assemble all equipment and fill tank with regular tap water, turn everything on (heater, filter, air pump, etc.) and then wait about a week.  Just feed the tank every morning as though there were fish in it, add your plants and tank decorations, gravel when you set up the tank.  The tank will cycle naturally and the chlorine in the tap water will dissipate into the air.  You will be left with a healthy tank.  

ADDING FISH:  about three days after you have set up the tank you should test the water and if the water is good then  you can add about 3-5 starter fish total.  If the tank is small add 1-2 fish.  Buy fish that were on your fish wish list to help you set up your tank.  Do  not buy feeder goldfish or feeder guppies for the simple point of... what are you going to do with them when your tank is cycles... buy the fish that you want...granted that if you have your heart set on a $40 discus but the six tetras that are cheapest and wait for the tank to get settle before you add the expensive fish like Discus.  

FEEDER FISH:  most stores do not take care of their feeder fish... and because of this reason they are prone to infectious disease etc. This is the very reason why I do not buy feeder fish and put them into my tanks at home.  Todays fish foods are so complete that you can offer your fish a varied diet without having to risk the introduction of disease.  Of note:  some of the most beautiful goldfish that I have ever kept were purchased as feeder fish when they were tiny.  When I buy a feeder fish it is for the sole purpose of raising it and keeping it.  

I hope this helps... Please keep me posted and if you have other questions let me know... the pH issue I can help with but I will need to know what your pH is... dave

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QUESTION: my pH was 8.4 . I put in some pH-down yesterday. I am supposed to take another sample of water down to the pet store today. BTW...Thanks very much! I appeciate it a lot.

Answer
Hi Cindy:  Add some driftwood to your tank... it will lower the pH in the long-run and keep it low... its ok to add some of the chemical pH control but do not rely on it as the flex in pH will eventually kill your fish.  If you have limestone or coral, coral sand/gravel in your tank... take some of it or all of it out as it will raise the pH.   keep me posted... dave