Re: How many times should I wash out the tank before adding fish ?

Sounds like a good idea.  What I'd do is use water warmer than tank
water for this process...you'll dissolve out the 'nasties' more easily
with warmer water.  Keep the heater on "high" during this (a day
should do it).  After draining (I'd only do one cycle), adding fresh
water, and resetting the heater, I'd add a filter (with biological
content, if possible), plants, and snails (if so inclined).  If the
snails survive, that's a sign your tank may be hospitible enough for
fish after the tank cycles.

<tim><

Alan Silver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> Hello,
> 
> Well, after months of part-time work, my new fish tank is finally ready. 
> I have just filled it up for the first time to check all was well.
> 
> I have built a fake rock background from painted polystyrene covered 
> with epoxy and was thinking that I ought to fill up the tank and empty 
> it a couple of times to wash it out before the final fill for the fish. 
> This would remove any stray nasties that might be lurking from the 
> construction.
> 
> Any advice as to how many times I should do this ? Also, how long should 
> I leave the tank full before emptying it and refilling ? Is this even 
> necessary at all ?
> 
> Any advice appreciated. TIA