Filled tank up with water today what now?

Answer 1

you want to leave everything running for around 2 weeks, add a small amount of fish food to get the cycle started and then after 2 weeks add a couple of neon tetras or guppies.

Dont add to much at ones or you will end up with high ammonia and alot of dead fish.

Rather than type a long answer if have gave you the link to a site that describes the tank cycle process and which you can refer to.

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

Answer 2

Add some bacteria to start the tank off - filter boost or something.

Give it 24 hours then look for some fish I guess! Just add a couple at a time to lessen the chances of disease spreading.

Make sure that you don't overstock the tank or the water quality will suffer big time.

Keep an eye out for ammonia and nitrites in the first few weeks......you can get a multi test kit for this.

Don't let the nitrates get too high either.

Poor quality water is the main cause of disease and death in fish.

Answer 3

Let the tank sit for a while. Your tank is going to do a thing called "cycle." Basically it consists of bacteria forming to handle biological loads that fish produce. To start you need to add ammonia. During this proccess the water can be very toxic to fish so i would not recomend adding any fish for AT LEAST 2 WEEKS. You really should wait longer but if you are impatient tell the pet store that your tank is still cycling and you need a hardy fish. Keep in mind the fish may die if put in too soon.

While cycling you will want to test the water so you know if it's safe for fish. You can buy the test or take a sample of your water to a pet store (they usually do it for free). Another good thing o do during this time to think about what kind of fish you want to keep and do reaserch on that breed.

A good place to read more about cycling your tank is: http://fishlesscycling.com/

Good luck and enjoy your new tank!

Answer 4

leave it at least w weeks to allow the water chemical levels to settle, place 1 tiny pinch of food in each day to start the natural bacteria establish. leave the filters and pumps running etc. after a forghtnight, take a sample of water to your local aquarist dealer and ask them to test it (any decent fish dealer will) if the results come out good, introduce a few fish ( no more than 3 or 4 small fish at first if tropical, 1 if goldfish) and then wait a few days before introducing a few more etc. don't rush to set it up and get fish into it straight away, that is the sure fire way to kill your fish.

after you have introduced your fish, leave your tank for another 5 or 6 days, only feeding, do nothing else, then after 5 days do a 25% water change on the tank. NEVER do a complete water change as otherwise you will have to start the full cycling system all over again.
when it comes to cleaning out your filter sponge, NEVER clean it in tap water as this again will kill the beneficial bacteria in the tank, to clean it, take a small amount of tank water out, and wash the sponge out in this, then dispose of this water and replace it in the tank, returning the sponge to the filter.

it might be an idea to get a chemical called "stress coat" when you get new fish, open the bag and float the bag on top of the tank with the fish in it for about 15 minutes to allow the water temperature to equalize, whilst the bag is open, with the fish in it, place a small amount of stress coat in the bag, this will help calm the fish down, and also reduce the risk of illness due to stress from the move. stress can ring in diseases such as ich, so its best to stop these before they get in your tank (another way to do this would be to set up an isolation tank, to keep newcomers in before you transfer them to your main tank)

but which ever way, fish keeping is a wonderful and fascinating hobby, and i wish you luck with it :)

Answer 5

It sounds to me that you're just starting to learn about keeping fish. What kind of fish are you keeping eg; cold water goldfish or tropical fish. In either case leave for a couple of hours then check to see if there's no leakage. If you detect a leakage and if there is ...get on the phone to the stockist and tell him to fix it. If it does'nt leak you,ll need to put in a few valis plants..they will not cost too much. First fish to put in for hard water is Black widow tetras[petticoat fish] They should keep you intrested until you learn more about fish keeping. Good luck. Thankyou for asking this question.

Answer 6

Leave the water for about 2 weeks don't be too eager to buy fish ( I know its hard ).
Then introduce the fish say 2 a week if you introduce the fish slowly there is more chance of them surviving, it gives the bacteria a chance to build up and before you know it you will be enjoying a wonderful hobby

Answer 7

what kind of fish do you want to have? i suggest a couple of the hardiest to help cycle the tank. thats all you want in the tank for a month. its not much but it will help stablize the water for more fish. you still need to start doing regular weekly cleanings -- change 20-25% of the water and gravel vaccuum.

Answer 8

Hi,now it has to be left to get bacteria you can buy stuff from the aquatic shop or put a bit of fish food in the filter.You have to leave tank for 6 weeks.If you put a bit of food in for 3 weeks then the tank will be ready for you to slowly introduce fish.Good Luck

Answer 9

Declorinate the water wait until the bacteria starts to grow and then add the fish, don't forget the plants and make sure they are live plants

Answer 10

well what are you trying to do? are you cycling your tank? and what type of cycling are you doing?

If you are doing a fishless cycle then add ammonia in the water, which you can find at a grocery store, but make sure it has no scent in it.
It's going to take awhile to start forming the bacteria, but as soon as you put ammonia in the tank and it goes back to 0 within a couple of hours you can put fish in there.
You may want to do a water change.....
If you want to have a fish in there, make sure you get a hardy enough fish to go through the cycle. You only need one until you can get that ammonia 0 within a couple of hours. And once you have nitrAtes, you can put more fish in there.
Hope this helps some or answers you question at all.