Fish Tank Question??

Question

I just put tap water into my new 6 gallon tank. Now do I add the correct pH and conditioner, THEN start the filter and heater, or start the filter and heater first, THEN put the pH and conditioner? Thanks!

Answer 1

Don't start the filter, you should condition the water before it goes in, but you've done it now condition the water and let it settle for 24hrs then start the filter. Some are saying that it does not matter however, if you have a foam filter depending on your tap water, chemicals will become trapped in the filter for several days and the cycling process will take longer.  

Answer 2

turn filter on and let it sit for 6 weeks then put in some fish

Answer 3

I would start the heater and filter then the water conditioner and pH conditioner. Also are u sure you want to add that pH stuff test your water 1st then add it.

Answer 4

pH correct is totally not needed, the rest doesn't matter what order.  The important thing is to get the tank cycled before you add fish.  The heater isn't needed during cycling.  

http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles...

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Answer 5

Skip the pH conditioner.

chemical pH conditioners kill more fish than most products even when used correctly.

Fish can adapt within a huge range of the pH spectrum but no fish can take swings in pH.

Those conditioners kill alot of fish

go the natural approach if needed like peatmoss in the filter etc....

good luck!!!

Answer 6

Order doesn't matter, as long as everything is running steady at least a few days before you put the fish in. Your tank needs time to find a good balance in temperature, bacterial filtration and other factors before anything lives in it.

A steady 'wrong' pH is much better for fish than artificially changing it. Using chemicals can cause swings in the pH that can stress fish. If you're worried about pH, try stocking fish that like your water type (tetras like soft water, for instance, and inverts like shrimp and snails like harder water). Especially if you have hard water, which has a high buffering capacity; that means that it won't take long for that Correct pH to swing right back up.

Answer 7

Doesn't matter...

Forget the correct pH, you shouldn't need it.

Just make sure you do all the other things.

Ian