We just got a new tank how long do i need to wait before putting fish in it??

Question

55 gallon, all the parts are working and the gravel is in

Answer 1

You could start putting a few hardy fish in now, but I would suggest that you cycle your tank first. Cycling involves building up the bacteria needed to break down the wastes of the fish into substances that aren't as harmful to them.

When a fish eats its meal, part of its wastes include ammonia, which are toxic in relatively small amounts (0.5 parts per million). The bacteria will convert this into nitrite (also toxic in small amounts), then another type of bacteria convert it to nitrate, which is safe for your fish in amount arouns 40 ppm (and even higher for other fish). This is why when people put too many fish in a new tank that they often don't live.

You can start with just a few fish (like danios, which are hardy) or use fishless cycling, using either pure ammonia (no soaps or other additives), fish food, or even a piece of shrimp. These last items will create ammonia as they decay, giving the bacteria something to "feed" on so they reproduce. You can also add gravel or an old filter from another tank - bacteria grow on these and will "jump-start" your population.

These links will tell you more about this: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/ammoniapoison.htm
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/nitritepoison.htm

Just becareful that when you do add fish, to only add a few at a time, and wait a week or so until you add more.

Answer 2

There is much more to do before adding fish, the tank should be cycled. The most humane way of doing this is called "fish-less cycling" look it up. There is no fast way of cycling and to do it with fish in the tank submits the fish to levels of Ammonia and other Nitrogen compounds that will almost kill them(if you're lucky). Walking the tightrope between toxic ammonia and living fish makes the process take longer.
So be patient and humane and cycle your tank without fish.
If someone tries to tell you that there is a faster way, he's got something to sell.Cycling is growing bacteria on the solid surfaces of the tank. There are two types to grow,one that converts ammonia into Nitrite,and another that converts Nitrite into Nitrate. It takes about 2 or 3 weeks to grow the first colony,and then when there's lots of Nitrite in the tank the second colony can start to grow,that's another 2 or 3 weeks. Ammonia and Nitrite are both toxic,and Nitrate much less so. Nitrate is removed from the tank by doing frequent small water changes accompanied by gravel "vacuuming" using a siphon device.
Oh yeah,don't let someone sell you a bacteria culture to hasten the cycle,the bacteria you need are present in the air all the time and the so called cultures only live a short time in their packages. And the bacteria can't do the removal jobs until they are securely growing on solid surfaces in your aquarium. The final requirement for these microbes is well oxygenated water and with everything up and running in your tank there should be plenty of that.
If you feel the need to spend some money,get a good test kit or some test strips and monitor the Ammonia and Nitrite in the water once or twice a week until you see a rise and fall in ammonia followed by a rise and fall of Nitrite. Then begin adding fish at a rate of two or three every two weeks.
It's not very satisfying to use this method,but your fish will thrive.

Answer 3

the long way is to leave the water for at least 14 hrs so that any chemicals (like chlorine) in it can evaporate. the short way is to buy a solution to quicken this process.

I prefer the long way to be sure without adding anything extra to the water.

When you buy the fish keep them in the bag and put the bag in the tank to help the fish to climatise to your water temperature.
After a while you can then let the fish swim out of the bag and into your tank.

Good luck and have fun watching them grow.

Answer 4

you need to give the filter and water about 2weeks, this way you can ensure that the water is the correct temperature and that there are the correct water bacteria in the water to help with the balance and water chemistry. (Nitrite, Nitrates, pH, Amonnia, Oxygen and Chlorine)
if adding plants to the tank buy the plants and place them in the tank 2-3 days before adding the fish.

This way you are giving the plants a chance to grow and establish before fish go in and destroy the plants.

Answer 5

i would usually let a tank run by itself for about a week so the filter can thoroughly clean the water, and let the aerobic bacteria (yes its real bacteria) get situated and it will greatly help your fish.
check the water regularly, and if it needs lower or higher PH depending on the fish, fix it then wait another 3 or so days
make sure the water temp is ideal too
you dont want to intriduce the fish to the tank too soon, that can lead to problems

Answer 6

24 hours

Answer 7

24 hours. make sure you put one of those solution that neutralizes the pH of the water in the tank of water as well.

Answer 8

I usually float the the fish(if its in a bag) on the water for 1hour so it can get used to the tempeture. cause if u dunt itll die cause its like on a hot summer day and u suddenly walk in to a freezer

Answer 9

wait about half hour then thats good you just need to let the water filter