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I was a begginer too 4 months ago and because I started slow, I've achieved great results and minimal fish losses. Here are some ideas and things I did to begin.
First item I bought with the tank was a API kit, these are essential.
Stuffing the filter area with cheap and easily cut Filter floss is a great solution to buying those disposable ones that the manufactures sell. I tossed my white gravel after the first few weeks and switched to Sand and Fluval Stratum.
When I started 4 months ago, I started slow and only got Java Ferns and Anubias Nana and some small Bloodfin Tetras. 1 month later I start dosing daily with Seachem excel which is the liquid equiv of using co2.
Initially I did 25% PWC every week.
After a month or so I started adding in small groups of fish every 2 weeks to let my filter adjust to the bioload. Also adding in Rotala and Amazon swords.
Last month I finally added in Some Amano shrimp who quickly went to work on eating stuff off plants.
Just today almost 4 months later I've added in Otos, because they are extremely sensitive and I wanted to make sure they had the best chance to live in an established tank.
Presently I've gotten in to a 40% PWC every two weeks and small 10% plus Seachem Prime top ups every other week. I have a 20g so yours would obv be different.
Good luck, can't wait to see your progress. :icon_bigg
First item I bought with the tank was a API kit, these are essential.
Stuffing the filter area with cheap and easily cut Filter floss is a great solution to buying those disposable ones that the manufactures sell. I tossed my white gravel after the first few weeks and switched to Sand and Fluval Stratum.
When I started 4 months ago, I started slow and only got Java Ferns and Anubias Nana and some small Bloodfin Tetras. 1 month later I start dosing daily with Seachem excel which is the liquid equiv of using co2.
Initially I did 25% PWC every week.
After a month or so I started adding in small groups of fish every 2 weeks to let my filter adjust to the bioload. Also adding in Rotala and Amazon swords.
Last month I finally added in Some Amano shrimp who quickly went to work on eating stuff off plants.
Just today almost 4 months later I've added in Otos, because they are extremely sensitive and I wanted to make sure they had the best chance to live in an established tank.
Presently I've gotten in to a 40% PWC every two weeks and small 10% plus Seachem Prime top ups every other week. I have a 20g so yours would obv be different.
Good luck, can't wait to see your progress. :icon_bigg