Are my fish going to die or do they have a chance?

Question

I didnt cycle the tank before i put the fish in 3 days ago.The tank is a 10 gallon. Are they going to die or is there someting i can do to save them?

Answer 1

People managed to keep fish alive in tanks before the cycling process was understood.

For you to be able to keep the fish alive will depend on the number, size, and species you have. Hardier fish might make it with frequent water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite down (twice a week changes instead of one). You can also help your fish by not overfeeding them, and maybe even underfeeding a little until your bacteria have a chance to build up. Instead of giving theem what they can eat in 2-3 minutes twice a day, maybe only feed them once, or feed every other day to keep the amount of nutrient buildup lower. When you clean your filter, take a little water out of the tank and squeeze the filter pads in this instead of rinsing them under the faucet - tap water has chlorine, and this will kill the bacteria. By using the tank water and reusing the media, you're keeping some of the bacteria living on the media alive, so they can reproduce in your tank.

You can also increase the temperature in the tank a little - the bacteria will reproduce faster, so the tank cycles a little more quickly.

If you have any sensitive fish like neons, otocinclus, or puffers of any type, I would take those back. You can look up the hardiness of your fish using this link - look for ratings of "A" or "AA" to keep them at this point: http://www.elmersaquarium.com/000tropfishcareguides.htm

NOTE: if you're using a test kit to monitor ammonia and nitrite, these start to affect the fish at 0.5 ppm. You need to allow some ammonia and nitrite in the tank until they no longer show up in the tests on their own, or you'll never develop the bacteria that use these as their energy source.

Answer 2

Dechlorinate the water if you have not done so. If you have a whole bunch of fish then some will probably die. If only a few, then only the water will probably cloud up. Do a 25% water change when this happens and dechlorinate it. Make sure that your power filter is running. Also make sure that you have gravel and decorations for the nitrifying bacteria to live on.
Cross your fingers and hope that the water will clear fast. There may be something to purchase for the amonia that is building up, but normally the beneficial bacteria will take care of it.

Answer 3

If you keep an eye on the water quality and test test test. If you see the ammonia and nitrite level exceeding .5 you need to do a water change 25% Many people use fish to cycle the tank. On the contrary to Copperhead, bacteria grow fastest in warm water and is slowed by cold water. You need to keep the temperature at the lowest your fish can have it safely.

What is important right now is to watch the water quality. This again is no guarantee that your fish will all be fine. Do not add more fish at this time. Watch the water.

www.lagunakoi.com/html/
Filter_Systems.html

Answer 4

Well if they don't show any signs of illness, just get the bacterial cycle going as fast as possible and they should be fine. The pre-cycling thing is easier, smoother and recommended, but it's not likely to wipe out your fish. It simply means the toxic chemicals that accumulate in the water won't be broken down as quickly or efficiently. Just get the tank cycling.

Answer 5

the best thing you could do is to return them to the store you bought them from.
if that isnt an option, then you must get a test kit. aquarium pharmecuticals master test kit is the best.
test the water twice a day. once, when you get up in the morning and once, an hour before you go to sleep.
whenever you see ammonia above 0, do a 30% water change. it may take a while for the ammonia to spike.
after the ammonia spike, the nitrites will start to show. when they do, same as ammonia, do a 30% water change. twice or three times a day if necessary.
after the nitrite spike, nitrate will start to appear. nitrate is harmless in low numbers. if you ever see nitrate get above 40ppm, do water changes until it gets under 40.
once you see nitrate and 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite for a week, your tank is cycled.
it may take up to 2 months for the tank to fully cycle.

if you keep ammonia and nitrite under .50 all the time, the fish may not be harmed too badly. however, ammonia burns the gills and is detrimental to their health, causing early death. just make sure ammonia and nitrate stay below .50, .25 if possible.

Answer 6

They sell stuff to cycle the tank faster, I've done it bunches of times. Nowdays don't have to do much of a cycle in any new tanks I buy, I have enough tanks to use some of the water from one to get a new tank ready.

Answer 7

It depends on what type of fish you have. If you have zebra danios, then you can start cycling with those fish. Here's a website on cycling: http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php. If they are other types of fish, then they are probably going to die, but you never know. Keep on feeding them normally and see what happens. If they do die, then buy some zebra danios and cycle your tank.

~ZTM

Answer 8

Ok...save yourself a lot of money and hassle...do a half water tank change everyday til you see algae growth. DONT buy a bunch of water checking kits (expensive!) Don't add things to the water and pickle your fish. Do buy a book and read it. I recommend The simple guide to Freshwater AQUARIUMS By David E. Boruchowitz. It is one of the best I have ever read about aquariums.

Answer 9

This is a common mistake with new fish owners. I suggest you return them to the store asap and read up on them.
Meenwhile heres a site on cycleing a tank :

http://www.worldcichlids.com/faqs/cycling.html

Answer 10

how many fish do you have in there?

i would strongly recommend you get some live plants -- floating plants and mosses are best. they will help a reduce water waste a lot.

as long as you aren't overstocked in fish you should be able to get by with doing a qucik gravel vacuum and water change of about 10% every couple of days. just do opposite sides of the gravel. if it starts smelling bad up it to 20%.