What brand is your tank? I also live in Australia so I'm familiar with the bigger Aussie brands. 
The main reason I ask is that the AquaOne tanks are generally completely the wrong shape to divide - very cube shaped with a curved front. Amazing tanks and very attractive, but not good for dividing.
As to when you add Phoenix, you have two options. You can fishlessly cycle the tank by adding a source of ammonia (fish food is the best option because it is really hard to get pure ammonia in Australia- people think we will make bombs with it or something), or you can do a fish-in cycle. If you choose the first option, you will have to wait around 6 weeks before you can add him. If you choose fish-in, you can add him today but you'll have to be super-dilligent with the water changes.
When you get a testing kit, don't get the strips - liquid kits are much more accurate. I like the AquaOne kits, although I have no idea how the nitrate kit is supposed to work, but if you can shop online, I'd suggest the API master test kit (it will be cheaper online than in shops).
When adding him, make sure you acclimatise him to the new water slowly. Make sure your temperature in the new tank is correct (about 27C is ideal - if you have a glass thermometer, you want the temperature to be level with the top of the green section). Make sure you are also using water conditioner.
It's a good thing you didn't get a goldfish! They need much bigger tanks - 80 litres for one fancy, and 200 litres for a comet! Petshops are notorious for having absolutely no idea about fish.
If you can, get in touch with the Sydney District Aquarium Society (I think that's what it is called). I'm a member of the DAS for my state, and you can get some massively cheap supplies through them.
The main reason I ask is that the AquaOne tanks are generally completely the wrong shape to divide - very cube shaped with a curved front. Amazing tanks and very attractive, but not good for dividing. As to when you add Phoenix, you have two options. You can fishlessly cycle the tank by adding a source of ammonia (fish food is the best option because it is really hard to get pure ammonia in Australia- people think we will make bombs with it or something), or you can do a fish-in cycle. If you choose the first option, you will have to wait around 6 weeks before you can add him. If you choose fish-in, you can add him today but you'll have to be super-dilligent with the water changes.
When you get a testing kit, don't get the strips - liquid kits are much more accurate. I like the AquaOne kits, although I have no idea how the nitrate kit is supposed to work, but if you can shop online, I'd suggest the API master test kit (it will be cheaper online than in shops).
When adding him, make sure you acclimatise him to the new water slowly. Make sure your temperature in the new tank is correct (about 27C is ideal - if you have a glass thermometer, you want the temperature to be level with the top of the green section). Make sure you are also using water conditioner.
It's a good thing you didn't get a goldfish! They need much bigger tanks - 80 litres for one fancy, and 200 litres for a comet! Petshops are notorious for having absolutely no idea about fish.
If you can, get in touch with the Sydney District Aquarium Society (I think that's what it is called). I'm a member of the DAS for my state, and you can get some massively cheap supplies through them.
