new to aquariums: urgent help needed for first fish tank

[emberx]

Hi everyone, just joined this forum and I'm excited to get some advice. We've recently bought a second-hand fish tank and I'm a bit unsure about how to proceed. The seller reckoned it's a 200 litre tank, but I've measured it and it's 100cm wide, 50cm high and 40cm deep.

There's around 30-35 African cichlids in the tank and I've only had it since last night. The previous owner told me he's never used a water heater or treatment for the tap water - just mixed hot and cold water and that's it. I've topped up the tank with untreated tap water, but I haven't filled it up completely yet, the water level is just below half.

The water looks a bit dirty, so I need to clean the tank today. My question is, should I get a water heater and tap water treatment or will this disrupt the environment for the fish? I'm a complete beginner, so any advice would be great. I'm based in the West Midlands, Coventry, if that makes a difference.

[Lurcher]

Welcome to the forum, emberx. I'm way out of my depth here, but I'll try to keep this thread visible for the experts.

First things first, can you please find out the water and pH details from your water provider's website and share them with us? Also, were the fish purchased locally, i.e., did they come from the same tap water source as yours?

I'd strongly recommend getting an API freshwater aquarium testing kit as soon as possible – you can find them on eBay or Amazon for around £30 or at a local fish shop. While you're at it, grab a big bottle of tap water conditioner as well. You may need to introduce the conditioner gradually, rather than all at once, but I'm sure the knowledgeable folks here will guide you through that process.

You'll likely need advice on heaters, filters, and food for your fish, and the experts will be able to help you with that too. If you could provide the manufacturer and model number of the filter, that'd be great. Did it come with the tank? For now, please don't wash or clean the filter, or any of the ornaments or rocks that came with the tank – the beneficial bacteria on these surfaces are crucial for the tank's ecosystem. If there are any plants, rocks, or ornaments that came with the tank, please put them back in the tank and hope the bacteria are still alive.

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll get all the help you need from the experts here.

[rivvol8]

Yes, the seller is correct, it's indeed a 200 litre tank. I've taken a closer look at the fish and I'm quite sure you've got Malawi Cichlids in there. They do require heated water, with a temperature range of 24-27c being ideal. When introducing a heater, it's best to gradually increase the temperature over a few days to prevent shocking the fish.

In terms of water treatment, I must stress that it's essential. The chlorine in our tap water can be detrimental to the fish, and I'm surprised they've managed to survive this long. I personally use Prime to treat my tap water, and I'd highly recommend it.

As Lurcher mentioned, it's crucial to check your water parameters with your local supplier. Malawi Cichlids thrive in hard water, so it's essential to get that right. A water test kit is a must-have, and you can easily find one online or at your local fish shop.

Regarding the filter, I have some concerns. With the amount of stock you have in the tank, I think the current filter might not be up to the task. I'd suggest considering an external filter that's capable of handling a tank of at least 400 litres.

[emberx]

Welcome to the forum, emberx. I'm way out of my depth here, but I'll try to keep this thread visible for the experts.

First things first, can you please find out the water and pH details from your water provider's website and share them with us? Also, were the fish purchased locally, i.e., did they come from the same tap water source as yours?

I'd strongly recommend getting an API freshwater aquarium testing kit as soon as possible – you can find them on eBay or Amazon for around £30 or at a local fish shop. While you're at it, grab a big bottle of tap water conditioner as well. You may need to introduce the conditioner gradually, rather than all at once, but I'm sure the knowledgeable folks here will guide you through that process.

You'll likely need advice on heaters, filters, and food for your fish, and the experts will be able to help you with that too. If you could provide the manufacturer and model number of the filter, that'd be great. Did it come with the tank? For now, please don't wash or clean the filter, or any of the ornaments or rocks that came with the tank – the beneficial bacteria on these surfaces are crucial for the tank's ecosystem. If there are any plants, rocks, or ornaments that came with the tank, please put them back in the tank and hope the bacteria are still alive.

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll get all the help you need from the experts here.

Thanks for your swift response, I really appreciate the advice. I've already taken some action, removed most of the original water from the tank to bring the fish home, it was a 30-minute drive. When I got home I added about 20 to 30 litres of untreated tap water, mixed cold and warm water together as the guy we purchased it from advised.

[whetu]

Your tank's a decent size, 200 liters, but with the gravel and all, it's a bit less. Still, it's worked for the previous owner with this many fish, so that's a plus. The heater's a must if your room temperature's not consistently around 24 degrees C. I'm not a fan of water conditioners personally, but everyone else swears by them, so I'll let the experts advise on that one. You might be in for a bumpy ride getting the tank re-established, but the good news is African Cichlids are pretty hardy.

[belleora]

Hi everyone, just joined this forum and I'm excited to get some advice. We've recently bought a second-hand fish tank and I'm a bit unsure about how to proceed. The seller reckoned it's a 200 litre tank, but I've measured it and it's 100cm wide, 50cm high and 40cm deep.

There's around 30-35 African cichlids in the tank and I've only had it since last night. The previous owner told me he's never used a water heater or treatment for the tap water - just mixed hot and cold water and that's it. I've topped up the tank with untreated tap water, but I haven't filled it up completely yet, the water level is just below half.

The water looks a bit dirty, so I need to clean the tank today. My question is, should I get a water heater and tap water treatment or will this disrupt the environment for the fish? I'm a complete beginner, so any advice would be great. I'm based in the West Midlands, Coventry, if that makes a difference.

Today, get some water conditioner and a decent heater - these are the most urgent things. Gradually raise the temperature by a few degrees over time, rather than all at once. Using water conditioner is perfectly fine, it won't harm the fish, it'll actually prevent chlorine and chloramines from doing them harm. Fill the tank to the top with treated water, making sure the temperature of the new water matches the current tank water temperature. This will help dilute the mess that's already in there.

For now, it's better not to overfeed. In fact, it's best not to feed at all for a day or two while you're sorting this out. If you must feed, only give them a tiny amount. Just remember, food in equals waste coming out, and that can lead to potential ammonia poisoning - which can be fatal. Also, don't clean the gravel or the filter yet, that's crucial.

You'll also need a water testing kit. I'd recommend going for a liquid one - they're more accurate and better value than the dip strips. Accuracy is important here, so it's worth investing in a good one.

[belleora]

Hi everyone, just joined this forum and I'm excited to get some advice. We've recently bought a second-hand fish tank and I'm a bit unsure about how to proceed. The seller reckoned it's a 200 litre tank, but I've measured it and it's 100cm wide, 50cm high and 40cm deep.

There's around 30-35 African cichlids in the tank and I've only had it since last night. The previous owner told me he's never used a water heater or treatment for the tap water - just mixed hot and cold water and that's it. I've topped up the tank with untreated tap water, but I haven't filled it up completely yet, the water level is just below half.

The water looks a bit dirty, so I need to clean the tank today. My question is, should I get a water heater and tap water treatment or will this disrupt the environment for the fish? I'm a complete beginner, so any advice would be great. I'm based in the West Midlands, Coventry, if that makes a difference.

No, please don't do that. You'll be able to clean the sand properly eventually, but not yet. The beneficial bacteria that break down the fish waste are living in that sand, and getting rid of it now could crash the cycle and harm the fish. Let's focus on getting the tank back in order, with good water conditions and a working filter, before we do anything drastic.

[emberx]

Your tank's a decent size, 200 liters, but with the gravel and all, it's a bit less. Still, it's worked for the previous owner with this many fish, so that's a plus. The heater's a must if your room temperature's not consistently around 24 degrees C. I'm not a fan of water conditioners personally, but everyone else swears by them, so I'll let the experts advise on that one. You might be in for a bumpy ride getting the tank re-established, but the good news is African Cichlids are pretty hardy.

To get it re-established, I'm a bit unsure what this entails and what I need to do.

My plan was to take the fish out of the tank and put them in a large container. Then I was thinking of cleaning the sand with the existing water, but would it be better to use tap water?

Not sure about the filter either, should I clean it with existing or tap water? And what about the existing water, should I dispose of it all or keep some of it?

After that, I thought I'd fill the tank with new treated and conditioned tap water. I'd also buy a heater and set the temperature to 25 degrees.

Finally, I'd put the fish back into the tank. Am I on the right track or have I got this completely wrong?

[whetu]

Don't clean the gravel or filter, just leave them be for now. Fill the tank slowly over the next week, just a little water at a time. Make sure the temperature stays constant at 24 degrees C, no big changes. Take a deep breath, and just wait for a week. After that, you can do a water change. As for feeding, only do it if they look like they're getting desperate, and even then, just a tiny bit.

[belleora]

To get it re established what does this mean and involve? I'm really not sure what I'm doing here and I want to make sure I get it right.

My plan was to remove the fish from the tank and put them in a large container, then clean the sand with either the existing water or tap water - is that right? And what about the filter, should I clean it with the existing water or tap water? Should I dispose of the existing water or keep some of it? Then I was going to fill the tank with new treated and conditioned tap water, buy a heater and set the temperature to 25 degrees, and finally put the fish back in the tank.

Or have I got this completely wrong?