How long do I need to leave a fish tank running in order to put my fish in?

Answer 1

Have you cycled the tank yet? Do you know about tank cycling? If you don't know or if you do but you haven't done it then I think you should look up fishless cycling, that way your not putting your fish through possible poisoning until it does cycle.
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

Letting the tank run with nothing in it that produces ammonia or without adding pure ammonia does nothing. I don't know where people got the idea that bacteria that eats ammonia can survive with none in the tank.

Answer 2

Here's the deal:

After you fill the tank with water you should let the equipment run over night. This will allow the water to oxygenate, which essentially makes it ready for fish. Letting the water sit with nothing in it beyond this period is redundant, accomplishing nothing.

However, now that you are ready to put fish into the tank, you must consider that the tank is not cycled yet. This means that if you just throw in a bunch of fish, the water will fill up with ammonia and your fish will all die.

You must research cycling an aquarium before adding any fish at all. Once you are well versed in how this works, then and only then, are you ready to start with fish, because you will know what you are getting yourself into. There are ways to speed up the cycle or establish it immediately, but you'll run into that when you begin to research cycling.

Check these out, you can never learn too much before jumping into the care of living creatures:

www.badmanstropicalfish.com
www.fishforums.net
www.thekrib.com

Answer 3

i think of you opt for it to run for a minimum of each week, and probably 2. in case you opt for to place fish in faster, you will possibly attempt including some water from an latest tank, as long as there are actually not diseased fish interior the tank. there has been point out made which you won't be able to maintain sharks in a small tank. Do you mean sharks like the pink-tailed Shark, that's unquestionably a sort of backside feeder, or do you mean a real shark? attempt retaining actual tropicals in a small tank. they're relaxing to maintain and the suited length. you are able to shop a Ghost Fish, Eels, Flounder, or Knife fish in case you opt for something extra unique. Silver dollar fish are additionally relaxing to maintain and are viewed community fish. The others won't be desirable for the community tank, different than the small Flounder, which isn't too noticable interior the tank. Angel Fish are additionally relaxing and exciting fish to maintain.

Answer 4

If you have had to tear your tank down and start all over agin, you should leave your tank cycling for about a week, then put in the fish that are not your faviorite. You need to creat an ecko enviroment. The fresh water will harm the slime layer on the them. So the first fishes you put in the new tank should be cheap fish cause you may loose a few with the new water. You can add stuff to the tank to rid it of chlorine and to add a tank conditioner to bring the tank up to a safety level and you won't have to let the tank cycles for the 7 days. Read carefully and follow directions.

Answer 5

It depends. Usually about a week. You need to let it go through the NItrogen Cycle in order for it to be able to handle fish. Get a testing kit and use it every few days until the ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite are 0 and the ph is around 7.

Answer 6

A Short Brief on the Nitrogen Cycle.


When you start a new aquarium it will go through what is called the nitrogen cycle.

The nitrogen cycle is a process which allows "good" bacteria to establish and multiple in the tank, thus breaking down the fish wastes.

Fish excrete ammonia as a waste product. Ammonia is highly toxic to fish and even small quantities in the water can kill your fish. The first bacteria that establish as part of the nitrogen cycle break down ammonia into a product called nitrites.

Nitrites are also toxic to your fish, but not nearly as toxic as ammonia is. As the nitrites start to rise in the tank the bacteria that feed on nitrites will start to multiply and consume the nitrites breaking them down into nitrates.

Nitrates are also toxic to fish, but only in very high quantities. The nitrates will continue to rise in your tank as long as you have fish and are feeding them. Water changes are used to reduce the nitrate levels.


How long does this process take?

Typically the nitrogen cycle takes between 4-6 weeks to complete. During this time it's recommended that you take samples of your tank water to the local fish store and ask them to test it for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. The test levels will progress as follows:


Stage 1:

Ammonia zero
Nitrites zero
Nitrates zero

Stage 2:

Ammonia starts to rise
Nitrites zero
Nitrates zero

Stage 3:
Ammonia continues to rise
Nitrites begin to rise
Nitrites zero

Stage 4:
Ammonia levels drop
Nitrites continue to rise
Nitrates begin to rise

Stage 5:
Ammonia: zero
Nitrites levels drop
Nitrates continue to rise

Stage 6:
Ammonia: Zero
Nitrites: Zero
Nitrates continue slow rise



Tips to reduce the time of the nitrogen cycle.

The easiest way to reduce or eliminate the nitrogen cycle is to use a filter from an established tank. This filter already has the bacteria needed to breakdown ammonia and nitrites. By using an established filter you essentially bypass the nitrogen cycle.

Another easy way to shorten the cycle is to use "seed" gravel from an established tank. Simply take a few cups of gravel from an established tank and add it directly into the new tank. This gravel will contain a starter of the bacteria needed. If you don't want to add the gravel to the tank because it is a different color/stone than your gravel you can simply put it into a nylon stocking or cheese cloth "bag" and drop it into the tank. Using this method can cut your cycle time by 50%.

Finally there are live cultures of bacteria such as Bio-Spira (available at http://www.fishstoretn.com ) which will seed your tank with the bacteria needed. This product can virtually eliminate the cycling process.



Stocking your tank during this period.

During the cycling process you want to stock your tank very lightly. This is because if you have too many fish the ammonia will build up faster than the bacteria can break it down and your fish will die. I recommend only 1 or 2 hardy fish such as mollies. You want a fish that can tolerate the fluctuating ammonia and nitrite levels during the cycling process. There are many fish which should be avoided during this process including all catfish and any scaleless fish such as loaches.



Feeding during the cycling process.

I recommend that you feed your fish only once per day, and only as much as they will eat in 5-10 seconds. You should net out any food left over after feeding to prevent it from breaking down into ammonia. Once the cycling process completes you can double the feedings to twice a day.



Water changes during the cycling process.

If done correctly your tank shouldn't need any water changes during the cycling process. However should you find that your ammonia or nitrite levels are dangerously high during the cycling process you should do an immediate 25-50% water change to lower those levels. Water changes during the cycling process can extend the time it takes for your tank to cycle. Once the tank has completed cycling you should start your weekly 10-25% water changes to lower the nitrates in the tank.

Answer 7

It takes some time - I am not quite sure - perhaps 3 weeks or longer. Can you get some use/wet/dirty filter floss from a pet shop or friend to immediately place into your tank - beneficial bacteria -
Whenever I set up a new tank, I always had existing material such as used filter floss, stones and gravel from the previous tank. Therefore, I always had beneficial bacteria handy.

Answer 8

Unil the water is perfect, you can take a sample to your local pet shop and they will test it for you and let you know if it is ready for fish.

Answer 9

about two weeks, depend on what kind of water, freshwater 1 week to 2 weeks, salt water about 2 weeks to 3 weeks

Answer 10

Well its not a matter of just running it. You have to cycle it. Try looking up fishless cycle on google.