I have just bought a fish tank?

Question

How long do I haev to leave it because I put fish in.

Answer 1

Once you can see that the tank hold water and the equipment works, then assuming you used dechlorinator to remove the chlorine, it would be safe to add fish. However, a tank needs to "cycle" before it's a stable environment for fish. You can do this either with one or two small fish in the tank or you can do it faster and easier without fish in the tank at all. Here's a link that explains what cycling is and the various options available to you that will make your tank of water a suitable home for fish.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Hope that helps and if you have any questions after reading this please feel free to email me.

MM

Answer 2

This is pretty simple actually. I'm laughing about the people who have been keeping fish for 20 yrs or more saying to let the tank sit for 2 weeks to cycle it.
Once you have dechlorinated water (whether you added dechlorinator to the tank or let it sit for 48 hours to let the chlorine evaporated), you have tank of dechlorinated water. Cycling cannot start until ammonia is introduced. Ammonia is the first stage in cycling. This can be done by adding pure non-surfactant ammonia, decaying fish food, dead shrimp, or a live fish. Once ammonia spikes, a new bacteria..nitrite..is formed which eats up the ammonia. A couple of weeks of nitrite and then at its spike, nitrate is formed. If you don't add anything to the water, you'll have...umm..uncycled water.
Fill your tank. Add your filter and heater. Get the temperature to high 70's and buy a fish or two. This will depend on the size of your tank. The best fish for cycling (if you choose the fishy method) are danios. They are hardy and most, if not all, make it through the cycling process. They don't have a high bioload output (urine, feces, etc). But a test kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. Once your nitrates kick in at about 20 ppm on the test kit, slowly add more fish until you're stocked.

Answer 3

If the fish shop tell you you can put fish in straght away, then never shop there again, they are more interested in proffit than the welfare of your fish. They might only be cheep but they are still animals.
As the other guys have said, leave for at least 48 hours and add a couple of fish at first.
Get some filter start to help mature the filter.

Answer 4

Hello

I have been keeping fish for a few years now and I think that it is a good idea to let the tank settle for a week or two. The reason why it is a good idea to wait is because the water needs to become established with a good biological filtration system that only the good bacteria can provide. This also gives any live plants time to establish. Letting the tank establish will reduce the stress on the fish when added so they are then less likely to die. Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK with you tank. They are great when established.

Answer 5

Don't listen to those who say 24-48 hrs. What you should do is clean the tank, filter,gravel, plants and rocks with plain water. Then set up the tank and leave to run for two weeks (before you add ANY fish). This is called "cycling".

For more information, or to create a community tank before you buy fish, check out this link:

http://www.thinkfish.co.uk

Answer 6

Most people who have been doing this a while will tell you to cycle the tank first. One way is to put 1 fish in for a couple of weeks then slowly add more every few days so the bio-load is not overwhelming.

Another way is to add an uncooked shrimp to your tank. The ammonia given off will cycle your tank. Then after a week add a fish or two. Don't put too many in at once because you'll have problems.

Answer 7

Some say 24 hours....however, if you purchase the chlorine removal and stress coat for the tank you do not have to do that. I have 2 29 gallon tanks, and I have lost only 1 fish, (algae eater) because they are useless. I buy only chinese catfish for that now and my tanks are doing great.

Answer 8

about 48 hours, put a water treatment in and any rocks and plants etc, when you get the fish leave then in the bag in the tank to start off

Answer 9

Ask the people who work in the store that you are planning on buying your fish from it could also depend on the type of fish some fish die very easily.

Answer 10

Add your gravel, decorations, filter, and anything else besides the fish. After you pour your water and conditioner in, let it sit for at least 48 hours. After 48 hours, you can add your fish.