prepare water for new Aquarium

Question

I'm getting ready to start up anaquaruim after many years with out one so I've for gotten a lot of the do's and don't's Since I had a stroke in 2004 I want to make sure I get off on the right foot!So how long do I need to age tap water before it can be used in the tank? Is there a better way to start up a new tank?  Thanks for the help. David(scooby-doo)Scobee

Answer
Hey David,

A lot has changed recently in product usage. Many people used to cycle tanks for at least a month prior to their slow and steady stocking of the aquarium, however, I can have my water ready in a day, and my tank fully stocked in a month!

I like to use AmQuel and NovAqua for water conditioning, and quality adjustments. Between the two, only pH and hardness are really left untouched. AmQuel removes toxic metals, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and other harmful chemicals, while NovAqua conditions water for fish, while lightly medicating the water to reduce stress and promote good health. Adding aquarium salt will also help reduce algae, promote healthy, and prevent infections. I use about 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 10 gallons or so, but you can go as high as double that amount. StressZyme is a neat little product too. It's cultured beneficial bacteria in a bottle. The stuff, if added to the tank as directed, will cut cycling in half. After about a two week period, with care and attention, the tank is ready for a good stock of fish.

Once you have the tank set up, filter and heater adjusted properly (to about 75*F), you can probably start to pick up your fish. Remember not to add too many too fast, or else you'll build up toxic amounts of ammonia very quickly. If you choose to, live plants help stabilize the water, as well as offer hiding places for fish. With live plants, you may also wish to get plantgro and use a capful every couple of weeks.

With all that in mind, test your water weekly to ensure the highest quality, replace your carbon filters every couple of months, and change about 10% of your water every 2 weeks. With all of this put together, you should have a healthy, happy aquarium! Just so long as you dont get too many aggressive fish.