Have a Biocube 14g setting up for freshwater.
Initially used gravel to set up the aquarium. Had 5 fish in there....4 barbs and 2 mollies. They seemed to be doing well for about 5 days then the mollies showed signs of ich. So I did the ich treatment for 3 days but they did not show signs of getting better and eventually died. Subsequent to that the barbs began to show signs of ich. Someone suggested methylene blue dip which I did and the next day they were all dead too. Also I did not realize with this tank I needed a bubble stone so I did not have one for 6 days and could have caused the fish to die from O2 lack.
I have since decided to start fresh. Cleaned out all the gravel. Used washed coarse live sand and fresh water I have set it back up for 3 days with no fish. I am using bioculture to speed up the cycle. I want to get a peaceful tank with Figure 8 Puffers and some other compatible fish.
My questions are as follows:
1. How long before I add any fish?
2. What will be good fish to be compatible with the Figure 8 Puffers? And if so how many fish will be ideal in this size tank?
3. How long should I use the bioculture before adding the fish?
4. When should I make the first water change and if so how much?
5. Someone suggested aquarium salt....if so how much salt must I add?
6. I have noticed the water temp in the aquarium is running around 84-86.....is that too warm? It feels warm to touch. If so what is causing it to stay so warm since the house is at 79? Could it be the pump? Do I need a heater or chiller?
7. Do I need to change the carbon filter with a new one given my problems with ich? And what about the bioballs?
8. What do I do if I run into the same problem again with ich?
9. How often do I feed the fish?
10. Do I need a skimmer?
11. I have the bubble stone placed in the compartment at the back where the pump is where water returns.....is that ok.
Initially used gravel to set up the aquarium. Had 5 fish in there....4 barbs and 2 mollies. They seemed to be doing well for about 5 days then the mollies showed signs of ich. So I did the ich treatment for 3 days but they did not show signs of getting better and eventually died. Subsequent to that the barbs began to show signs of ich. Someone suggested methylene blue dip which I did and the next day they were all dead too. Also I did not realize with this tank I needed a bubble stone so I did not have one for 6 days and could have caused the fish to die from O2 lack.
I have since decided to start fresh. Cleaned out all the gravel. Used washed coarse live sand and fresh water I have set it back up for 3 days with no fish. I am using bioculture to speed up the cycle. I want to get a peaceful tank with Figure 8 Puffers and some other compatible fish.
My questions are as follows:
1. How long before I add any fish?
2. What will be good fish to be compatible with the Figure 8 Puffers? And if so how many fish will be ideal in this size tank?
3. How long should I use the bioculture before adding the fish?
4. When should I make the first water change and if so how much?
5. Someone suggested aquarium salt....if so how much salt must I add?
6. I have noticed the water temp in the aquarium is running around 84-86.....is that too warm? It feels warm to touch. If so what is causing it to stay so warm since the house is at 79? Could it be the pump? Do I need a heater or chiller?
7. Do I need to change the carbon filter with a new one given my problems with ich? And what about the bioballs?
8. What do I do if I run into the same problem again with ich?
9. How often do I feed the fish?
10. Do I need a skimmer?
11. I have the bubble stone placed in the compartment at the back where the pump is where water returns.....is that ok.