Equipment Checklist
Tank: 10-gallon minimum (20-long ideal). Filter: HOB (Aquaclear 20) or sponge filter for fry-safe. Heater: 50W. Lighting: standard LED with timer.
Substrate: gravel or sand. Decor: smooth rocks, driftwood, live plants. Water conditioner (Seachem Prime). Test kit (API Master Liquid Kit).
Initial Setup
Rinse substrate until water runs clear. Place in tank, add hardscape, fill with dechlorinated water at 78°F. Install filter and heater. Run empty for 24 hours to verify equipment.
Add live plants on day 2 — they consume ammonia and speed cycling.
- ✦Use Indian almond leaf or driftwood to release tannins (looks better, helps fish).
- ✦Crushed coral substrate maintains hard water for guppies.
Fishless Cycle (3-4 Weeks)
Add 4 ppm pure ammonia. Test daily. Wait for ammonia to drop to 0 and nitrite to drop to 0 within 24 hours of dosing — that means the cycle is complete.
Use established media from another tank, or bottled bacteria, to speed up. Patience here saves fish later.
Adding Guppies
After cycle completion, do a 50% water change to lower nitrate. Add 4-6 guppies first. Watch ammonia for 1 week — if any spike, do a 25% water change immediately.
After 2 weeks of stable parameters, add the rest of the stock. Avoid adding all fish at once — bacteria need time to scale up.