Setting up a 36 gal. fish tank. Need advice about tank and fish.?

Question

I made many mistakes with my 5 gallon tank and would like to not repeat them with my new 36 gallon tank. I've already got the filter, heater, gravel, air pumps/air stones and water in. All chemical levels are fine and heater is working. The heater is set to 79 degrees, the gravel was rinsed before being put in, and I treated my tap water with Stress Coat (10 ml. per 10 gallons or 4 caps worth). I planted four small plants. How long should the tank operate before adding fish? I've heard 24 hrs., 48 hrs., and 3 to 5 days from different aquatic stores. Please give me an explaination with your answer as to how long I should wait so I understand - since I've heard so many different ideas, I'm not sure what to believe. I'm not in a hurry to rush out and buy fish - I'm willing to wait to do this right. Also, I'd like to know what some good starter fish are that won't be aggressive. I'm used to using guppies but would like somethign different. I will not consider goldfish as they're dirty.

Answer 1

I don't understand why people say to let it sit. It doesn't cycle unless you either add pure ammonia and do a fishless cycle or add a few starter fish and keep a close eye on the params. If you want to lose the fewest fish then do a fishless cycle. http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article14.html
if you don't understand that site there are a bunch that may explain it differently. I know a lot of people who are new to the fish world don't understand the cycle right away.

Answer 2

First, buy a fish or two don't just let it sit (or at least put food in the empty tank) because there needs to be waste to start the bacteria cycle. Typically a complete cycle will take roughly a month (this is an estimate its always different). As for fish, you need to consider how well you are going to maintain your tank (how often will you do water changes, vaccum, etc.) If you will religiously maintain your tank consider stocking it to about and inch of fish (full grown size) per gallon (this is for small community fish). I'm sure you've heard many things for water changes, but I've had a tank this size and taking out six gal a week will maintain it nicely and wont affect the enviornment all that much. The more infrequent the water changes the more water will have to come out, which will increase stress on your fish. These small water changes will control nitrite and amonia (once your tank is cycled) but nitrates (by-product of nitirte & amonia) will most likely build up over time, so test for nitrate every so often. Then just do a large water change (if you have live plants this may never be an issue plants can eliminate nitrates). As for fish, if you don't want aggressive fish as a general rule stay away from cichlids. I would encourage you to mix up the species in your tank, and if something catches your eye at the pet store look it up on the net there's tons of info. Good luck

Answer 3

First of all, this aquarium will be a lot easier to run than a 5 gallon. smaller tanks are almost impossible.
Now for the cycling, there are a lot of websites that will tell you exactly how to do it, but here is a simplified version that I have used.

Get some gravel from an already established tank and sprinkle it in with your new gravel. this gravel will have the beneficial bacteria on it. now that this has been done, put small amounts of food in the tank everyday and check the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels. once they are all zero, do a small water change and vacuum the gravel a bit. then go buy your fish, remember to float them in for about 20 minutes.

Answer 4

you said your weren't in a hurry i would do a fish less cycle then you don't got to risk losing fish when the water levels go crazy ammonia and pH i would wait four to six weeks if you want fish during the cycle then try to wait 1 weeks to give the tank time to get some bacteria Ive had fish for a few years now use domino's there very hardy or guppies josh

55 gallon 29 gallon 2 one gallons

Answer 5

Hartz says a day or two:

Give your tank a day or two to reach a constant temperature and a stable water quality. Patience works well in just about every rewarding experience in life and maintaining healthy pets is no exception. Get your tank ready properly, add fish a few at a time and your new friends will get along swimmingly.

Those black and white tigar fish are terrors. Don't get them! Neons are cool. Get a half a dozen or so, they swim together in a little school.

Answer 6

hi,
few basics for a small fish tank.
keep atleast 5 ltrs of water per fish. so if u have a 20 ltr tank, then dont keep more than 4 fishes put fishes that not make the water dirty, eg, gold fishes eat a lot, so u have to feed a lot, adn the residue remains in water, they also eat and spit out food, adding to sedimented food particles, they also **** a lot,,
all these factors adds to decomposition of stuff and addition of ammonia in the water. this leads to unhealthy water and sick fishes affecting the size, growth and color of fishes.

i recommend putting fishes like angles,,, they are very disciplined and will not contaminate water. more over they react to ur presence and u will enjoy the pet. more over their majestic movement helps cool down ur stress levels, and helps phychological development of kids as well.

mind you, maintain the natural cycle in the tank, keep less fishes and adequate plants and lighting,, the ammonia generated by the decomposition of food waste and fish waste is absorbed by natural plants and algae,, to keep the plants healthy, and functional, have sufficient light. this will ensure a healthy natural fish tank, all u need is an air supply to dissolve oxygen in water, and u will nto even require a water filter, community tank fishes go together, angles, goldfished, molly, guppi, neon, tetras, sword tales, etc, dont put guramis and fighters in community tanks, small sharks are also harmless but ur tank is small u said, mind u, few angles if hungry tend to be agressive as well, but thats rare take care, enjoy ur hobby

Answer 7

Looks like you've thought everything out. :) Everything sounds great. And it's not a long travel, so as long as the fish aren't directly under any air conditioning or anything, they'll be fine. Maybe putting a blanket over their containers or bags so that they can remain calm and warm during the transport.

Answer 8

when i set my tank up i did everything like you did and the first 2 fish i put in died 3 days later.....they were guppies.....when i went back to the pet store they told me that even though i let the tank sit for 3 days before i put fish in it had not fully cycled....it need fish in it for this...they told be to put tetras in it because they are better starting fish and wait 4 weeks before adding other type of fish

Answer 9

when i done mine I waited for 3 weeks so the freindly bactrria can come.. and make a nice environment there for the fish.. i love my fishies.. I though I was gonna kill them all but they are OK with me!!!

Answer 10

well let it sit about two days (thats what i did)
then get some exotic fish
do u have fresh water or salt water
that depends on the fish
salt water fish are cooler but harder to take care of
but get fish that are exotic