Starter advice - help!

[fr499y]

Nope never use them unless it’s an air powered filter (HMF for instance)

[yardbent]

the Fluval U2 has a (built-in ?) spray bar
aim the water output up to the surface increasing agitation which increases Co2 out and O2 in

[LookoutTrout]

I find air stones make a mess on the lid and if your filter return is set up correctly they don't help oxygenate the water.
The only time I like air is for sponge filters which still have issues but can sometimes be the better choice.

[plankton]

I find they're too noisy and aren't particularly useful unless the filter stops and you need a flow around the filter to keep the "munchers" going.
(I can't remember where I put mine, and it hasn't been used for 24 years....)

[afc69]

the Fluval U2 has a (built-in ?) spray bar
aim the water output up to the surface increasing agitation which increases Co2 out and O2 in

Interesting. My Fluval didn’t come with that spray bar. Maybe it’s an extra, that needs to be ordered?

[afc69]

I need to quickly clean the inside of the tank, as its got manky all of a sudden - looks like residue from the substrate. Conscious of introducing toxic chemicals into the water if I simply use a jay cloth. Am I being over concerned?

[Gingerlove05]

If its a new setup its most likely diatoms (brown dusty algae). It will wipe off with your fingers/hands and they wont last long they disappear as quickly as they turn up. You can either wipe them off while under the water with your hands and do a water change or drain some water out and wipe them off.
If you do use anything in the tank, make sure it hasn’t been used for anything else so you dont introduce any dangerous chemicals, I then keep things I use for the tanks separate to any other cleaning stuff so it doesn’t get contaminated.

[yardbent]

Am going back to see them this afternoon, with a query on feeding, as the tetras don’t seem to be taking to the Tropical Formula Complete formula Bug bites.

I just read on my Betta Forum that ;

''....Fluval Bug Bites are a Betta species-appropriate brand of pellets....''

so maybe why your Tetras are not interested

are they eating now...?

what are you feeding...?

what did your LFS say ...? what do they use...flakes..?

[Martinspuddle]

So, since setting the tank up last Monday, and even after adding the 11 x tetras 2 days ago, levels have been stable at 0 for ammonia, 0/0.25 for nitrite and 5.0 for nitrate. PH at 7.0.

The guys at my local Fishkeeper store were confident in suggesting the addition of the tetras on Sunday, to aid the cycling process.

Happy for you to interject, if you think they are talking bollocks

I do despair at some aquatic retailer advice.

[VikingMummy2015]

Am going back to see them this afternoon, with a query on feeding, as the tetras don’t seem to be taking to the Tropical Formula Complete formula Bug bites.

I just read on my Betta Forum that ;

''....Fluval Bug Bites are a Betta species-appropriate brand of pellets....''

so maybe why your Tetras are not interested

are they eating now...?

what are you feeding...?

what did your LFS say ...? what do they use...flakes..?

There are various Bug Bites; I feed them in my community tank in rotation with a mix of other dried pellets from Heron’s