Firstly, good morning and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all
Rather than bother you with everything this morning, I have already done an internet search and I think I've sussed out one of my questions (New tank, fishless cycle + cloudy water ie bacteria started) That's good?
1) Now, to start this cycle off I added a scant teaspoon of ammonia to my 21 litre tank yesterday, filter, pump and lights all working.
I have sent off for a testing kit but it won't be here much before Saturday. Do I leave it today and add another 1/2 teaspoon tomorrow (bearing in mind that I cannot test the ammonia, nitrite levels yet?
2) Pets at Home say I can have one or two corries for bottom feeders but having read up on them it says they would be better without sharp gravel and I'm not sure if mine constitutes sharp. Grandson gave it to me when he presented us with the tank so I feel I ought to use it. If I add a finer gravel on top it will just sink through.
So could I push most of the original to the back of the tank, where I intend to put in plants and get a finer more rounded gravel (3mm) for the front since I read that gravel should be deeper at the back anyway and that most of the fish "doings" are more likely at the front.
3) With the one or two corries could I also have a red cherry shrimp? (We will also be getting up to four Endlers or minnows or similar)
4) As for plants, again I have been scouring the net and have come up with plants suitable for beginners like us. So, moss balls, Java fern, Dwarf sagitarria, Ludwiga ripens, Egeria Densa, Green Cabomba. Not all of them of course since it will displace too much water and the tank isn't that big. I just want the fish to be content.
5) I am not happy with the air pump at the moment, it doesn't produce the "curtain" effect I assumed it would and not much bubble effect. I think because it's a basic pump and maybe not powerful enough.
If I empty out half the tank into a clean bucket, sort out the pump by changing it to a single and put in the plants, then put the water back in would that be OK or will it affect the cloudy bloom that has already started.
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get it right first time.
Best Wishes to everyone
Sandra