Fish Tank Cycled yet? HELP PLEASE!!!?

Question

I've had my fish tank set up for about 9 days now. When i first started the tank i put bacteria supplement and waterconditioner. Then 3rd day it fogged up and its been clear for about 4 days now. I will put a heater in it and let it heat up for about 6 hours and then go and buy the fish (guppies). Before I buy the fish, should I do a water change (i have tap water, so do I have to put water supplemtna and bacteria supplement again in the new water I will add or will that make it fog up again?)
Also, should I let the water that I will add in for water changes rest in another tank for about a day before I add it in? I am a first time fish keeper and need all the help I can get.

Answer 1

First of all, if the bacteria supplement you bought was anything other than BioSpira, you wasted your money. BioSpira is the ONLY live-culture bacteria available at this time.

Secondly, the cycle usually takes longer than nine days. Usually the minimum is two weeks, so I wouldn't expect it to be over and done with at this point.

Third, the only way to find out for sure if your cycle is complete is to get your water tested (you should really have your own testers on hand). Ammonia and nitrite should measure at 0ppm, and nitrates at less than 20ppm. If your ammonia or nitrite shows anything more than 0ppm, your tank is not fully cycled. If they show up as 0ppm, and your nitrates are more than 20ppm, do a partial (20%) water change, as this is the ONLY way to remove nitrates.

You don't need to let your water "rest" at all - as long as you have a dechlorinator that removes both chlorine and chloramine (and preferably ammonia, too), you can use tap water immediately. Just make sure the temperature of the water you're adding in is roughly the same temperature as the water in the tank (otherwise, you risk shocking your biofilter and your fish). Resting the water really doesn't do anything to it, especially since chloramines can take up to two weeks to dissipate completely.

EDIT: Word to the wise - if the tank is not cycled, and you wait to buy your fish (you should), turn the heater up to 80 degrees as this will allow the bacteria to multiply quicker. Even better if you can get "seeded" material from someone you know that has a healthy aquarium (either a handful of gravel, some used filter floss, or even a decoration that's been sitting in the tank for some time).

How did you do your fishless cycle, anyway? Did you use pure ammonia, ammonium chloride, cocktail shrimp or fish food? If you just put the water in the tank and didn't add anything for bacteria to "feed" on, your tank is nowhere near cycled, and expect to take another two weeks to cycle it.

Answer 2

Depending on what type of bacteria stuff you used, most don't work, Bio Spira is really the only good one. The bacteria needs to have ammonia & nitrites to make nitrates-which is the cycle.

Either buy a test kit that tests ammonia, nitrite, & nitrates, or take a sample of your water in to the pet store-most do this free. When ammonia & nitrites show 0 and some nitrates are showing, then your tank is cycled. But if you had no ammonia source in the tank to start with, such as pure ammonia or fish, it's most likely not cycled.

You can put the heater in, if you're keeping guppies, I'd put it up to about 78 degrees. Don't start the tank over, and don't do a water change. Need to buy some dechlorinator for the water (assuming it's tap water you'll be using) to remove the chlorine and chloramines. I recommend using Prime by Seacham.

When you do get the fish, float the bag in the tank water for about 15 minutes to adjust the temperatures. Then slowly over the course of at least an hour, add your tank water to the bag with a cup-and don't get any of the fish store water from the bag into your tank.
Read this links and search for cycling a fish tank-both fishless and with fish. First thing too, get the water tested or buy the test kit.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/

http://www.aquariumboard.com/forums/home.php

Answer 3

The only way to tell if the tank is cycled is to test the water. The ammonia and nitrite should be zero and you should have some nitrate. I have never used any bacteria supplements to cycle a tank so I don't know how long they can live in the water without a source of food (fish poop or food). Since the water clouded it shows there are some nitrifying bacteria present but they all could be dead now and the only way to tell is to have the water tested.

As long as you use a water conditioner to the water before you add it during a water change you don't need to let it sit out. A good one to use is Prime, it tends to cost a little more then others but it also last longer.

Answer 4

Ok step by step what yo should do! 1) From my understanding the tank is set up, the conditioner has been in the water for nine days correct? If so then, yes you want to put your heater in and heat the water to around 74-78 degrees. 2) Buy the fish and place the bag in the water with the guppies in the bag for about 30 minutes. 3) Remove the bag from the tank and open the bag. Put the fish in a small cup/bowl with the water from the store. 4) With a net transfer the fish from the old water to the new water. Everything should be fine from there! Good Luck P.S. (Opional) You may buy some stress coat and put in the tank according to directions, at the same time you put the bag in the water. This will help ease the fish into their new environment!

Answer 5

Did you add any source of ammonia to cycle the tank? If not, then it is not cycled. Read some articles on fishless cycling. If you are impatient and do not want to fishless cycle, you can buy some Bio-Spira to add (make sure it's been refrigerated) or Stability. These provide the nitrifying bacteria you will need. Also, every time you add water from the tap it needs to be conditioned first. Check the website I listed below, they have a ton of GOOD information.

Answer 6

Start all over. Fill your tank, let it sit out for a day, and put dechlorinator in it. If you are just getting guppies, don't worry about heating the tank. As long as your house is in the 70's range temperature wise, then they should be fine. Make sure the tank has a water filter. Try to have 2 gallons of water for every inch of fish. Keep in mind that if you buy male and female guppies and put them in the same tank, they WILL have babies. There will be no eggs, they have live young. They can have about 30 at a time if not more, but they will also eat some of them and some of them will probably not live to maturity. If you want them to have babies, make sure they have plenty of places to hide. When cleaning the tank, and adding new water, always make sure it has been sitting out for a day (to become room temp) and dechlorinate it.

Answer 7

It is standard to do a water change (no more then 20% before buying new fish. You should add the supplements to the new water and stir it around a bit before adding to the tank. If you let the water stand for 24 hours before hand. The chlorine will evaporate on it's own. Don't feed your fish for two days after buying them. They will be too stressed to eat much anyway, but it gives your tank a better chance to deal with the increased bio-load if they aren't pooping too much right away.
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Answer 8

Test strips are usually not accurate. Sometimes a tank can be cycled in 2 weeks, but it usually takes 6 or more weeks

Answer 9

the tank is not cycled yet you should get your water tested before adding your fish but you also can cycle your tank with fish in them if you do it right your fish will be fine also the only real chemicals you need for your tank is a dechlorinator if your fish is not sick

Answer 10

Putting fish in tap water will kill them at once. Put a thermometer in the tank and keep water at about 72, and have aeration. Keep the warm water you have conditioned for now. Get some plants to grow by the light in the sand.