I want to know how much time do you have to leave a tank after you set up so it can be ready for fish. I read about in a bunch of websites but they all said different things. I need a well known website to be shure.
2007-01-21 13:34:21 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Its a freswater tank.
2007-01-21 13:57:03 · update #1
Five or six weeks is about the average,Live bacteria cultures are a rip-off,the nitrifying bacteria are almost everywhere.All that's needed to cycle a tank is a tiny bit of ammonia and a Nitrite(not Nitrate) test kit,no fish. Set the tank up and get everything running and stable and add a small quantity of plain ammonia(you're trying for 3 to 5 parts per million). The last tank I cycled this way was a 45 gallon and it took a little more than a teaspoon. Start testing for Nitrites in about two weeks they should peak in about three weeks and then start to diminish when the Nitrites hit zero the tank is cycled and no fish have been harmed. Add a few fish and wait a couple of weeks before adding some more. A couple of other important points,the reason the live bacteria don't help all that much is because they don't start to do their jobs until the colonies have attached themselves to something solid,like the gravel or a filter sponge or porous rocks or what have you. The other thing that's important is that nitrifying bacteria run on oxygen. A well aerated tank will cycle faster,but it still takes 5 or 6 weeks. Be patient and take some comfort in the knowledge that it's the best thing you can do for your fish. Hope this helps.--------PeeTee
2007-01-21 14:17:53 · answer #1 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Websites all ay different things and so will everyones answers in this answer section.
I had fish in a brand new tank within 2 days of setting it up, why??
Instead of throwing out the filter media from my second tanks water/filter change, I put it in my new tanks filter. I had good bacteria in there in no time!!
If you don't have 2 tanks, ask a friend to cut off a sample of their filter media at their next change and get it into your new tanks filter right away!
Cheers
2007-01-21 22:42:08 · answer #2 · answered by <^^Em^^> 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you just let it sit its not going to do anything. the best thing to do is add fish a little at a time. start with the hardiest fish you want to get. if you use a chemical like stress zyme or cycle it will add bacteria to help reduce the ammonia and nitrites. if you have a filter with a biowheel you are home free.
if you are still worried throw in some java fern or java moss. you can just tie them to rocks or wood and drop them in. in time they become fine looking plants too.
2007-01-21 22:10:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are several ways to do it.
Unless you add live bacteria(either from bio-spira or from another tank), cycling usually takes about 6 weeks. Sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, but 90% of the time it takes 6 weeks to establish nitrifying bacteria.
2007-01-21 21:50:09 · answer #4 · answered by fish guy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically 7 weeks - but I don't have that patience. I do about one week, test the water and add fish slowly. I do two at a time. Keeping the old adage in mind 1 inch of fish per 1 gallon of water. Test every few days - add water conditioner and live bacteria once a week for six weeks and you should be ok.
Good luck!
2007-01-21 21:46:05 · answer #5 · answered by jessica s 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You should only have to wait 24 hours to add fish
2007-01-21 21:44:29 · answer #6 · answered by im2uncontrolable 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It depends on whether it is salt water, fresh water, or brackish. Have a nice day.
2007-01-21 21:42:12 · answer #7 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋