does a new fish tank have to have the air pump and the filter running a while before the fish can go in?

Question

my sis has a new aquarium but she wants to know if she shuld have the air pump and the filter running at least 24 hours before she puts the fish in. can you help us?

Answer 1

Oh goodness, there is a lot more to it than that! did she buy it from a store? They should have explained several things to her.

Please don't put fish in the tank after just putting water in and a pump and filter. You are asking for a desaster.

You have to codition the water and cycle the tank which means allowing the tank to stabilize the water. When you introduce fish into a new tank, they produce waste. The waste increases the nitrateand ammonia content of the water and untill there is enough good bacteria bulilt up to process the waste the ammonia and niteates will contiue to rise until it is toxic to the fish. Done naturally the cycle will take up to a month.

Unless you have access to the approprate bacteria (which you most likely don't) the best way is to buy one of a few varieties of very durable fish that can withstand the cycleing process.

All fish carry the necessary bacteria on their bodies but most are not durable enough to go through a new tank cycling. this is why so many people get tanks, kill fish then don't want to have them any more.

Buy a few Zebra or other type basic cheap danios, they are hearty and commonly availible, tiger barbs will work as well. Introduce them in the tank and keep them as the only fish for at least a month. If they do well then you can start introducing other types. ( I reccomend dainos because they are not as agressive as barbs and will get along with other fish when introduced).

You can but amonia test strips and measure the amonia levels if you want to learn about cycleing but if you just do it the way I sugest you should be okay. If you want to email me I would be happy to share more info. on the care of the tank.

Answer 2

the tank needs to be up and ruining with filter, air pump, and heater going for at least two weeks before you put any number of fish in their. Here is what you need to do first. Set up your tank gravel plants filter air pump and heater then fill with water (obviously). Use a good tap water neutraliser like tetra aqua safe or Hagen aqua plus. Using these products will make the tap water safe for fish by neutralising the chlorine and other toxins in the water that can harm the fish. Then wait a week and do not put any fish in the tank just let it run. This will allow the beneficial bacteria to grow and colonise in your tank the bacteria will eat the wast and ammonia that your fish will produce. After a weeks time I would add like maybe one or two fish then wait another week and add the rest of your stock. If you have a small tank then do not add a lot of fish because the smaller the tank the less of a bio load it will be able to handle.

Answer 3

Im not sure why people seem to think if you let a tank run, empty for days or weeks that "good" bacteria will suddenly grow.. Nitrofying bacteria will grow naturally in a tank but only if there is waste from fish, rotting fish food, or plants. The bacteria have to have ammonia to feed off. Much like a septic system, (when people talk about cycling a tank, its a bit like your septic) Your adding good bacteria so they will feed off the waste. But if theres no fish or the tank is new, there wont be anything in there for the bacteria to eat. Yes you can add fish after your tank is set up. If you know the ph is 7.0 (for most community fish) and your heat is between 76-78 or close to it....You have a filter running and an air pump on it, you can add fish. The tank will "cycle naturally, but takes longer then if you purchase bacteria. Keep regular cleanings, 25% water change (with gravel siphon) every two weeks. I set up new tanks every week, and move more then 200 fish through them to sell. Have fun.

Answer 4

You need to cycle the tank first. There are many methods such as using only very hardy fish with lots of water changes, using pure ammonia, or feeding the tank fish food, etc. Unlike what some people thank, running a fishtank for a few days does not somehow create a cycle, it take weeks. If you don't want to cycle first, get cheap hardy fish and plan on loosing alot of them.
Without a cycle and without a air pump and filter the ammonia will build and possibly suffocate the fish. So if you want to risk it you can throw some fish in right now, running an empty tank 24hrs doens't do anything.

Answer 5

Needs to run much more than 24 hours. You need to cycle the tank, which means starting the bacteria colony that cunsumes and breaks down toxic waste products in your tank. You can get fish, if you want to change water every day to prevent the fish from dying. The best way is to get a bottle of pure ammonia and dose it according to the link below.

Answer 6

yes, you need to airate the water and filter it for at least 24 hours, if it is a new tank you also should get some tank starter it helps with the nitrate cycle your tank will go through when you add fish. make sure they are good hearty fish like platies to start your tank with or they won't make it through the nitrate cycle and die. its nothing you have done wrong its just they can' t handle the nitrate levels going up and down so much, the eventually even out and then you have a nice balenced tank for your fish.

Answer 7

You dont need to run the air pump, but in regards to the filter... yes. The nitrification cycle should be completed before adding expensive fish. Start out with one cheap hardy fish, like a gold fish, and ONLY that fish for about two weeks, and then you may add your fish of choice, one or two at a time.

Fish excrete waste just like we do, only it stays in the aquarium. The immediate result of fish poo, and excess food, is ammonia. When first starting your cycle, the amm. will spike, because ther is no bacteria to break it down, but eventually, it will subside. Amm. is toxic to fish, but given time a bacteria will culture in your filter media, that breaks down amm. into nitrite. A nitrite spike will also occur, because the bacteria that breaks down nitrites hasnt had time to culture. Nitrite is also toxic to fish, but given time a bacteria will culture in your filter media that breaks down nitrite into nitrAte. NitrAtes are also dangerous to fish if given time to build up, and must be removed by weekly (30-50%) water changes.

Answer 8

You need to cycle the tank..
Not just letting the air pump and filter running.. your pet store should sell some sort of instant bacteria to cycle your tank instantly

Answer 9

The tank should be running and cycled for a matter of 4 to 5 weeks before adding fish,find out about cycling a new tank before you kill a bunch of fish. Also find out about dechlorinating water and also stabilizing the temperature before adding fish.Hope this is in time.

Answer 10

I suggest letting the tank sit for 24-48hrs with everything running to make sure that the chemical levels are steady for the fish. It will also allow time for the water temperature to adjust to room temp. You don't want to cause unnecessary stress to the fish and have them die. Having the fliter on will filter out any dust from the gravel (if it wasn't totally rinsed), plus any nitrogen or harmful bacteria that might have been in your water supply. Cycling your take is always a good idea.