i just got a fish tank?

Question

I dont have the gravel or anything yet, but i have the tank and filter and hood! i want to start the cycling process now!
should I only fill it like 3/4 of the way? and do I have to turn the filter on for this to work!

if i want to put gravel from another tank can i wash it off first? and how much do I need per gallon? I can get some from petsmart where i work!

this is going to be freshwater!! probubly with some electric yellow cichlids, or some other small africans!

ok when i say im going to add gravel i mean for cycling! not for the whole bottom

i dont know fish! i dont do that at work

Answer 1

Cycling with fish is slower and less efficient than cycling without them. The only reason you need the fish is for the ammonia they produce with their wastes; a perfectly good alternative is household ammonia (as long as it's pure -- no fragrance or surfactant.) As a nice bonus, the household ammonia doesn't suffer permanent, painful gill damage from the cycling process.

What you do (to really simplify it) is start with a full tank and running filter. Pour some ammonia in (the amount depends on the size of the tank, but it's probably anywhere from a couple of spoonfuls to 1/2 a cup.) Adding some used gravel from an established, healthy tank will kickstart the cycle by introducing some of the bacteria you need, so they just have to multiply and spread rather than grow from scratch. Use a couple of big handfuls stored in a nylon stocking, which the bacteria can easily travel through but is also easy to reach in and pull out when you're done.

Start testing your water regularly, like every other day or so, with ammonia and nitrite kits. (You don't need the expensive "master kit.") Partway in, you'll have to start feeding the growing bacteria colony spoonfuls of ammonia, and testing for nitrates. When you have zero ammonia, zero nitrites, and slowly rising nitrates, your tank is cycled!

For specific numbers and directions, check out this article: http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.php

The forum at that website is full of friendly, experienced people who will talk you through the process if you ask for help. :)

Good luck, and enjoy your tank!

Answer 2

First, good on you for doing this right! Find out what to do BEFORE you jump in, and you have a much better chance of keeping a healthy, happy tank.

OK, if you want a quick way to cycle your tank, here goes: First, get your dechlorinator - make sure that's on hand before you start anything. Put fresh, thoroughly rinsed gravel on the bottom of the tank, but if you know anyone who has a HEALTHY fishtank go ahead and ask for a couple handsful of gravel. Put that in a plastic baggie and bring it home. Fill your new tank with dechlorinated water, and put the "used" gravel in a nylon stocking in your filter's chamber (this assumes you have a power filter), along with the filter medium. This brings a colony of the healthy bacteria to your tank. Let this run a day, then add a FEW of the fish you want to keep. DON'T add a lot at first. Take it slow, and stay up with testing your water. You should only add more fish every 3-4 weeks, to give the bacteria colony time to build up to meet the new waste load.

Before you do all this, though, carefully research the fish you want to keep. Make sure you select species that will be compatible with each other, and that will be easy for you to keep, since you're a beginner. Sites like the ones below will help you get information.

Do not take gravel from the pet store - that is almost surely infected with diseases. You would only want gravel from a friend who keeps a healthy tank.

Enjoy your aquarium!!!

Answer 3

If you want to use the old gravel just rinse it out for a few minutes in a bucket with water. Its fine to do (my dad has been using the same gravel for 40 years, and we've taken the tank apart quite a few times and reused the gavel).

As for the amount of gravel, you can do just enough to cover the bottom (ideal for easy gravel vacs), or a thick (in excess of an inch), for a great foundation for large rocks or to bury the large pots live plants come in. Although thick layers can be helpful, it is a pain to gravel vac it; I've never done it in mine. I just break my tanks down once per year.

The cycling process can take anywheres from 2-6 weeks. Fill up your tank (3/4 is fine), and run the filter 24/7. Every few days test your water; i think PetSmart does free water tests. Check the nitrites, after a week it should rise, and during the following week it should slowly drop. When it goes back down to zero, it is fine to add the fish.
Generally, if you use a product such as "cycle" or "stress zyme" the cycle should take about 2 weeks. Otherwise, you will need another way to introduce bacteria and ammonia and will take much longer.

Do some research outside of Yahoo! Answers for the fish you want. Go on google and type in "care of african cichlids" or similar. They like hard waters, with a pH above 7.8. They also prefer lots of rocks and caves over plants. Make sure you have at least a 30 (long) gallon aquarium for them too.

Good luck!

Answer 4

you can add gravel from a good tank which was not recently sick, but don't wash the good bacteria off, because that's the main reason you want to add it
You could also get a couple of zebra danios to cycle your tank, here is a site that discribes the process
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
As soon as your ammonia and nitrite levels are at "0" you will know that your tank is cycled, and you can slowly add fishes
Also you have to fill up the tank and turn on the filter as well as the heater, otherwise you won't have any good bacteria growing in your filter

Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 5

It is best to use the used gravel to help the cycle process speed up, as long as there aren't food mixed in -- it's the healthy bacteria in it that you want to use to help offset spikes in ammonia and nitrites. Use anything you can from the old tank including filter, to help the process and protect the fish. You can also look up fishless cycling and try that, but even if you do that you will have a mini cycle once you add fish. Don't add too many at a time. good luck!

Answer 6

Actually you only need like 5lbs of rocks per 5 gallons. So like one bag per 5 gallons. Also just for your information the cycle you may be talking about is the NITRIGEN CYCLE. its will NOT start until there are live fish in the aquarium. But you don't have to turn the filter on unless you just want to. But you should consider buying gold fish. Easy to maintain and longtivety. Also buy LIVE aquarium plants and snails will keep it clean.

Answer 7

Ok , so you dont know much about fish !! But you work at petsmart??!! Instead of asking people on here, why dont you ask the people you work with? I work at Petsmart, too. Whenever i have a question i ask the people i work with. You know we sell books, and magazines. why dont you buy one and read it? Really helps! Working at petsmart should be an advantage. At least it is for me, I work with very well knowledged people. Why not take advantage of the place you work at, Wish you luck !!

Answer 8

you work at petsmart and dont know this tisk tisk on you.. i used to work for petsmart for 4 years want you want to do is clean the gravel really good and you need to have the filter run for at lest 5 to 7 day before you put any fish in it depending on what fish you are putting in you might need a heater

Answer 9

first off, get new gravel. You shoud never put used gravel in a new tank. Its bad for the eventual fish that go in later! Fill the tank on and turn on the filter, that should get the cycles started. You only need enough gravel to cover the bottom of the tank.

And then your ready for the fish! Make sure you have someone with you who knows how to do this, though, ok? they can show you how and help you with cleaning the tank and its proper care.

Answer 10

gravel - to cover the bottom if you work a petsmart y dont you no this