Just starting out - 230L Tank

[Villagio234]

Hi all,

I'm just starting out on my aquarium journey (aside from a goldfish when I was younger). Set up my 230l tank a few weeks ago, and currently have 6 guppies and 6 zebra danios.

I've had a few issues with one of the guppies, suspect fin rot hence the water is green after medicating. He was being bullied, but I separated the 2 split fin ones who were being aggressive (to the breeder tank on the right) and all seems a bit more peaceful now, touch wood.

Lots to learn, but I love my tank so far.

[Villagio234]

Set up

AquaOne 230L tank/cabinet
EFX300 Filter
Heater (24°) and Inkbird temp controller
Circulation pump
Double air pump and stones
Corbo Root with an aquatic plant in one of the holes
Lava Rock (a nod to my recent honeymoon in Iceland!)
Various random decorations

[Stephen]

Hello and welcome to the forum

Stephen

[Gingerlove05]

Hello and welcome

[plankton]

Welcome to the forum.

[Villagio234]

Thanks for the welcomes! Maybe I should have created this in tank logs section?

Ammonia was up to 0.25 last night, so first (fish-in) water change completed. Only approx 15%, then I'll test again tonight to see if I need another. Fish seem happier already, they seem to be having races into the current from my circulation fan. Still not sure if to leave that on all the time? I did get a controller to turn it on & off at regular intervals, but haven't tried it yet.

Also trying taking it a degree lower (to 23°), see if that reduces aggression.

Popped to LFS to look at my next batch of fish in a few weeks at least. I'm thinking of adding (dependent on water parameter needs):

6x Panda Corys
4x Male guppies (taking me to 10)
6x Platys
Snails &/or Shrimp

I think that'll be pretty much fully stocked, so likely add in 2 parts with a few weeks between.

[plankton]

I'd take it down another degree to 22C.
The platies may get aggressive with the other fish, so keep your eye on them. They aren't as grumpy as swordtails, but you can get some right grumpy platies.

[Villagio234]

Any suggestions for something more peaceful? Maybe one or 2 larger fish instead of another mini-shoal?

[Villagio234]

Results from ST Water:

Hardness Level
Value Slightly Hard

Hardness Clark
Value 9.08

Hardness German
Value 7.26

Hardness French
Value 12.97

Average pH: 7.45

My last results (test strip, no liquid hardness test in my API kit) were around:

KH: 3
GH: 16
pH: 7.5

[Villagio234]

Actually, confused about the GH value of their website vs my test strip. I'll test the tap water, but it can't have changed by that much in the tank after a month or so can it?

Or are they using a different scale?