There's more to it than just letting the fishtank run :) What the petstores don't tell you is that in the wild, and in established tanks, there are colonies of nitrifying bacteria that break down toxic ammonia produced by fish waste and excess food into less toxic nitrates.
So, in a new tank, even if you let the filter run, these bacteria don't exist. You can put them into your tank several ways.
The first two methods are the best and quickest ones.
Do you have access to an established tank? If you can get some gravel or a filter cartridge, that would put the bacteria in your tank.
OR can you find some Bio-Spira? You can buy it online and in some fish stores, and that is the live bacteria that goes straight into your tank. DON'T buy anything that has the 'dead' bacteria, like Cycle. If it's not bio-spira, it's useless.
Both of those methods are pretty well instantaneous, and you can begin adding your fish immediately (don't add more than 2-4 fish per week)
Your both choice is to put a source of ammonia into the tank and let the bacteria develop on its own. That can take 2-6 weeks. You can either put a piece of shrimp to rot in the tank, or 'feed' the tank with fish food once every days, or put a fish in to produce ammonia. I do not recommend the latter, as it requires your fish to undergo ammonia poisoning which may kill it, and frankly, it borders on animal cruelty.
Also, what fish are you keeping? Most tropical fish should have a temp closer to 78-79F.
Good luck with your new tank :)
2006-12-03 15:07:18
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answer #1
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answered by Zoe 6
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You're looking at this all backwards, if you were a fish, how long would want to wait before someone put you in an aquarium? I'm thinking that after two whole days you might need to get some new fish.
2006-12-03 15:36:51
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answer #2
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answered by Singe 2
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ok some issues i've got discovered approximately acclimation. quite some that is going to selection, and it quite is not going to harm too plenty in maximum cases once you're acclimating for 2 hours. Temperature equlibrium is obviously going to remember on length of bag, temp of tank water to bag water etc...What you relatively need to do after approximately 20 or half-hour of basically temp acclimation is initiate including a cup packed with the tank water to the bag. this might speed up temp acclimation besides as enable the recent fish to conform along with your tanks PH, and hardness. no longer purely will to massive of a temp shift reason marvel, yet so could your water chemistry, and to that end including tank water to the bag facilitates them to equalize those changes besides. the comparable person additionally asked you in the experience that your tank replaced into cycled, which i think, asserting form new tank, it quite is not. cycling refers back to the Nitrogen Cycle which takes various weeks to end. you may help your fish survive this era by using a product called top. in the past the common YA thumbs down group is accessible in, i choose to declare, i'm no longer an excellent fan of chemical treatments, yet this could be a product I do recommend. using top isn't any replace for having an already mature cycled tank, yet top no longer purely dechlorinates water, yet will bind up ammonia and nitrite whilst they look, keeping it much less deadly to the fish dealing with this technique. The binding does no longer inhibit your nitrifying micro organism from using it the two. Over here few weeks, you are going to make certain a advance of ammonia and nitrites that are no longer sturdy for fish to be uncovered to. Get a bottle of top and use that to assist ease the stress of the nitrogen compounds, OR return those fish now. sturdy success and characteristic relaxing :)
2016-10-17 16:25:32
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answer #3
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answered by ? 4
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I grew up with all kinds of pets and used to have all kinds of fish. First of all, what type of fish are you raising? Goldfish are usually quite hardy and can take a Little extra abuse from lack of knowledge. Tropical fish, like Tetras, Zebra Danials, and Angel Fish are more delicate. Nevertheless, a really good tip is to put your fish in a fair sized plastic bag containing the current water they are in and twist tie the bag with the Fish in it on top of the new water and environment you're about to put them into. Let the fish in this bag float on top of the new water environment for about 20 minutes to 1/2 and hour to allow the temperature to adjust. You can also use a thermometer to measure the temperature in the bag until it reaches the temperature of their new environment. Once this has been met, then open the bag and slowly release the fish into their new water. I used to raise Sword Tails, Guppies, Black Moores, Black Molies, Gold Fish , Coye Fish, frogs, catfish, sucker fish, and so on...
2006-12-03 15:07:57
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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It can take weeks for it to be ready for fish! I set up a tank 8 weeks ago and I still haven't got fish. It is something that can'tbe rushed. The bacteria and nitrogen cycle need to be all right... With out this your fish will die. To know about your levels you need to be testing, pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate ( this goes for goldfish, tropical fis hand saltwater fish) Below is some sites that can help you! Reading is the best way to know about this cycle and It is something you need to know to be successful in fish keeping!
I always tell my customers two things:
1. Fishkeeping is a science not pet keeping!
2. Fishkeeping is about caring for water, not the fish, because if the environment is find you will have no problems with your fish!
Good luck!
2006-12-03 22:10:42
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answer #5
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answered by animal Lover 1
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wow the guy above me has a great answer, but i would also add that i was told you have to leave the fish in a bag and tie them to the top of the take toware the bag with the fish and that water is in the tank and that water... I never understood why, but when i had a tank when i was a kid, thats what we did... GOOD LUCK to you and your lil swimmers
2006-12-03 14:58:52
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answer #6
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answered by lynndell86 3
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all fresh and salt water fish tanks "cycle" do yourself a favor throw a bit of food in the tank get it to cycle.. measure for ammonia the levels should remain low and slowly add fish dont buy 20 and toss em in a tank itll just cause it to cycle again and kill off your pets... a little time and itll look just how you want it.. also research your purchases make sure one fish will go with the others :D
2006-12-03 14:53:29
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answer #7
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answered by shotgunshrimp 2
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Well, i had a betta (he's still alive) and i didn't use the nitrogen cycle, he's FINE. So, im not sure if you HAVE to!
2015-12-22 08:41:45
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answer #8
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answered by Mary Helene T 1
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Take the fish out of the freezer first, don't eat them when they're cold and hard, wait 'til they slime-up (defrost).
I can clean your aquarium with my chopsticks and a bear-trap.
When should I come over? I can swim now. Not like before.
2006-12-03 17:01:07
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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go for it what r u waiting 4 get them fishies
2006-12-03 15:04:17
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answer #10
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answered by wkdwchofwest 4
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