Hello, I just bought my first aquarium( have wanted one for years!) It's a 10 gallon tank and I just added the water yesterday(its not 24hrs yet)..... When I use a fish to start the cycling, how long should i leave him there before adding new fish? Do I still have to test the water even though I used the fish to start the cycle? Do I need an air pump?(the filter spits water back in the tank and creates bubbles)
2007-05-10 04:11:58 · 4 answers · asked by Lupita 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
No need for an air pump as long as your filter moves the surface of the water some.
If you plan to use a fish to start the cycle of the tank I would recommend only 1 fish and a fairly small and hardy one at that. It will probably take 4-6 weeksfor the tank to cycle, but you can speed that up if you have a source of bacteria for the tank. I would suggest you get the fish into the tank and 1 week later return to the store and ask them for a bag of tank water that has had a filter cartidge rinsed in it for the bacteria. You do run some minor risk of adding a disease to the tank, but if it's a good shop and if you get it form the same tank as your fish, the risk is really small.
That should cut the cycle time in half easily. Yes,m you need to test the water or have it tested as the only way to know when a cycle is complete is when you have no ammonia or nitrite in the tank.
MM
2007-05-10 04:20:31 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on your buy and welcome to the hobby! You do not need an air pump since you have the filter. If using fish to cycle the tank I would get 1-2 zebra daniaos, since they are hardy, then feed once every other day for one week. Test your water and if all is good you can start adding fish slowly.
I would say no more than 3 a week. Keep the feeding at once every other day until all your fish are added. This will ensure your water quality remains good. After all your fish are added (about 3-4 weeks) You can start feeding once a day. Always feed lightly. And you want to check your water at least once a month if not more often. Good Luck!
2007-05-10 04:24:19 · answer #2 · answered by lilith 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lot's of questions. water test will tell you when it's ready, but if you don't test, one week might do it. Always test at least once a week. Watch the fish, that's the best way to get in tune with your tank. they should be swimming around and fins completely frilled. get an air pump it will make it 10x better looking and help the fish tremendously.
2007-05-10 05:05:34 · answer #3 · answered by Keith C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use fish to cycle.
Just get some cycled water from the pet store, and put that in your tank, and let it filter for awhile.
You could also get something called "clycle" in a bottle.
You don't need an air pump.
2007-05-10 05:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋