Will my Guppies die if I get them to early? HELP!?

Question

I have set up a fish tank for about 9 days now. I keep reading things on fishless cycling, but I can't wait that long to buy them. The buyer that I want to purchase them from is only availble today. Will the fish end up dying if I get them now and my tank hasnt cycled fully? (I am not gonna buy a test kit, so don't say to go and buy one) I'm done spending money, ive spent over 200 bucks. I added a bacteria supplement and water conditioner. The filter has been running for about 9 days as well. I also bought used decoration for the tank and cleaned it well (im hoping this will contain some good bacteria to speed up the process?) What are the chances of the guppies surviving if I buy them today?

Answer 1

That can be a very hard question to answer since some tanks take longer to cycle then others. Try adding freshwater aquarium salt which will reduce the amount of water your fish will 'drink', therefore help increase their resistance to spikes in the water. Add about one level teaspoon for every gallon in the tank, and to any water you add when doing a water change (it is very cheap stuff). Change very small amounts of the water daily (10%) for a few days with water of equal temperature, and don't feed them for a few days (they can go for a week without food) so that there is lees poop in the tank. Less poop means less contaminants while the bacteria adjust to the new bio-load.
You local pet store tests water at no charge, just bring in a small, fresh sample.
Good luck and enjoy your new fish.
A

Answer 2

Your tank has sat long enough the guppies will be fine. If your water is chlorinated it takes about 24 hours for the chlorine gas to leave the water (aeration helps the chlorine to disperse faster) . When you buy your fish ask the seller to give you extra water in the bag (container) If you are traveling a long distance try to keep the fish warm. If the seller uses a plastic bag to give you the fish make sure that there is air in the bag (some people will blow into the bag (This does not help because the air from a person will have carbon dioxide with lower levels of oxygen) It is best to trap air buy twisting or using an airline to put air in the bag. When you get the fish home put the bag (Container into the tank and allow at least 20 minutes for the water in the bag to reach the temperature of the tank water. Remember to open and reclose the bag to let in new air. After the water tempture has adjusted let some of the tank water into the bag wait a few minitures and gragually release (pour) the fish into the tank.

good luck

Answer 3

If you only add one or two fish today then they should be fine. Just don't fully stock your tank, then you'll have problems.

Fishless cycling is too fiddly for me, so I do it the old fashioned way. Add a few fish, wait a month or so and then add a few more. That way I build up slowly to the tanks full capacity and I've never had any problems.

By the way, fishless cycling won't work unless you add fish waste/poo or some other form of ammonia. Adding food does work too, but not as well. The best source of bacteria for the tank are the fish themselves. :)

Answer 4

If you absolutely cant wait then get fish, but dont get guppies......oddly enough guppies are partial salt water fish, and with the new tank stress and lack of salt they will surely die.....I suggest getting 3 Rosie barbs...they are incredibly hearty.
I got them when I set up ny 20 gallon tank, and I've upgraded twice since then. I'm now at a 110 gallon, and they're still with me!

Answer 5

the truth, not very well.

$200.00 what size did you get a 55 gal?


Cycling with fish :

http://www.guppies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9989

for fish-less cycling go here :

http://www.guppies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12053

Acclimate new fish :

http://www.guppies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10907


WWW.GUPPIES.COM