I am hoping to get some gravel from a pet store tank to add to my new tank for beneficial bacteria. The nearest pet store is walmart and i am sure i could ask them for some but i am in question as to whether a tank at walmart could even be considered well established. So many fish from walmart die, i am also concerned about bringing home contaminated gravel and introducing disease to the tank. If it makes a difference the fish is from the same walmart so it has probably been exposed to the same stuff that they have. We got the fish four days ago. I know everyone says just cycle it for like a week but he is in a one gallon bowl and i am really eager to get him more space. Keeping him in something so small has me worried. So can i add walmart gravel or is there a better way?
2007-08-02 07:32:53 · 8 answers · asked by Kii 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I know that walmart stinks but he was a rescue fish. We are soooo broke, it was all we could do to afford the tank so the starter bacteria is like out of the question. The only reason we have him is cuz he needed a home. So is there anything i can do? I want him to live happily but I have no money left to work with and every minute that goes by he is breathing dangerous bowl water:S HELP
2007-08-02 07:41:57 · update #1
DO NOT TRUST WALMART FISH OR WATER. Seriously, worst place in the world. If your that desperate, drive farther. You can buy some stuff called "Cycle" and it helps develop the necessary bacteria faster.
2007-08-02 07:37:24 · answer #1 · answered by Kristen 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Do not get anything from Walmart. I swear, it's a miracle that your goldfish is still alive, and I wouldn't put any of their gravel in a tank of mine for love or money. All the Walmarts around here have stopped carrying fish because they are terrible at it. If you got a healthy fish from them, it's a miracle, and I wouldn't press my luck trying to get anything else good out of those tanks.
If you want to add bacteria to your tank, there is a very safe way to do it, without any possibility of adding harmful things to your new tank. There are many bacteria supplements available on the market: Cycle, StressZyme, and Stability, just to name a few. If you can't find anything like that at Walmart, and you don't have a Petsmart or (cringes) Petco around, go online. Order something. Best thing in the world to get a new tank going.
The other way to cycle a tank without fish is to feed the water a little bit every day for a month, but it doesn't sound like you have that kind of time, since you already have a fish. Depending on the size of the tank, I think I'd probably just throw the fish in there. If it is at least 20 gallons you shouldn't have any problems. Either way, start saving your money for a 20 gallon tank, because that's what your fish really needs. But move him into something bigger as quickly as possible. And make sure you do regular (WEEKLY) water changes. Goldfish pee a lot. And don't feed him too much. Goldfish don't have true stomachs, so they act hungry all the time. Just feed him a tiny bit twice a day. And don't crowd him with any other fish unless you've got a really big tank. (29 gallon tank holds 2 goldfish!)
Good luck with your new fishy!
2007-08-02 07:49:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would also recommend against WalMart gravel. The best source would be from a friend with a tank that is disease and algae-free. You can also ask for an old filter pad (which they would probably throw away anyway) which also contains some bacteria and add that to your tank (they you don't have to worry about gravel that doesn't match your own). This will reduce your cycling time.
2007-08-04 12:21:24 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The product mentioned by the first answerer, Cycle, is completely worthless. It does nothing to progress a cycle, and it is a waste of money. I have used it, and it held no effect. Seachems's Stability however, works like a charm and helped my cycle my 29 gallon in about a week, with gravel seedings from my established tank. I would NOT get substrate from walmart. If there is any disease in the tank, if could be in the substrate. Go to a local fish shop and explain your circumstances, and they may deal with you...
2007-08-02 07:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by Bill M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not trust gravel from Walmart. It's not really necessary to add gravel or filter media or anything, really, to your new tank in order to cycle it (besides fish, of course). It may jump start the process, but it will happen all on its own, without adding anything. If you wish to add something, either get some gravel or filter media from a friend who has a well established, healthy tank, or get some Bio-Spira.
2007-08-02 07:41:05 · answer #5 · answered by MJ 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
EDIT: Okay, now that it is in a real tank, Walmart gravel is a bit dangerous. Gravel from a friend would be best. If you have a friend willing to give you some established gravel or filtration media, that is ideal, just add it to your current filtration media and hope it isn't too late for your Goldie.
Nosoop4u
2007-08-02 07:50:05 · answer #6 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
walmart is not the best place to go shoping for fish supplies all my fish died after they got home form walmart because they had infections so shop at petsmart or petco
2007-08-02 07:38:22 · answer #7 · answered by charlie lakeo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is better to get a beneficial bacteria starter chemical. they sell it at most pet stores and it helps speed things up a bit.
2007-08-02 07:39:13 · answer #8 · answered by Dory the Fish 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋