Cycle Fish

[loveforfhishies]

i just started a new 50 gallon hex tank, i read an article saying to put a hardy fish in there to start producing bacteria and getting the filter cycled, so i filled it with water turned on the filter and air stones and then put in a zebra danio, hes been in there for about 20 hours now and looks to be doing fine, then someone told me for that size tank i should have at least 3 small fish in there for the cycle process?

should i add another fish or just leave him alone until thank is ready?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

well, the best way to cycle is without fish. all you really need to start the nitrogen cycle is an ammonia source, therefore the *best* thing to use is pure ammonia.

however, if you're determined to cycle using fish, then you should try to add fish that you intend to keep permanently. you'd be surprised just how many common fish are quite hardy.

tell us what you ultimately want to keep in your tank and we can help you figure all of this out.

 

[loveforfhishies]

i eventually want some colorfull subtle fish, i want to have a good verity of different types of fish, im not really knowledgeable about fish but i know that you have to have certain fish with there own type. i want this to be a community tank.

its a 55 gallon hex tank so its got some room for quite a few small fish that wont grow to big.

i was reading another aritcle and it says when cycleing with fish to do water changes often and use amquel plus which i bought tonight.

so what kinda help can i get here with that info

 

[SandMan8388]

Well IMO you definately added fish way to soon. If you plan on cycling with fish you should definately let the tank run for at a minimum of 2 weeks. This is because the longer the tank runs the longer it has time to grow bacteria that is healthy for the fish. Of course not alot is going to pop up, but it is better than nothing.

You can help promote bacteria growth by turning the temp up a bit and leaving the lights on a little longer than normal. After the tank has run for a bit then it wowuld be a good idea to add some hardy fish. After a couple weeks of monitoring the water and everything is okay, then it would be alright to add some more fish. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

[loveforfhishies]

so should i take this fish out?

how often should i test for chemicals and what chemicals should i test for when?

 

[MegTheFish]

Well IMO you definately added fish way to soon. If you plan on cycling with fish you should definately let the tank run for at a minimum of 2 weeks. This is because the longer the tank runs the longer it has time to grow bacteria that is healthy for the fish. Of course not alot is going to pop up, but it is better than nothing.

You can help promote bacteria growth by turning the temp up a bit and leaving the lights on a little longer than normal. After the tank has run for a bit then it wowuld be a good idea to add some hardy fish. After a couple weeks of monitoring the water and everything is okay, then it would be alright to add some more fish. Slow and steady wins the race.

Letting the tank sit for 2 weeks will not do anything, bacteria will not just "magically" appear. He needs a source of ammonia (in this case he is using fish). Turning the temp up and leaving the lights on longer will not do anything to help cycle a tank when theres no ammonia source! Please get your facts straight before giving advice and confusing someone else

so should i take this fish out?

how often should i test for chemicals and what chemicals should i test for when?

No, do not take the fish out UNLESS you want to do a fishless cycle. During the cycle (with fish) you'll want to get test kits to test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You will eventually need a pH test kit but it isn't needed during the cycle. You have to monitor the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to make sure they don't get too high and negatively affect your fish. Google "cycling an aquarium" and you will get loads of articles explaining what happens during the cycling of your tank.

 

[loveforfhishies]

i read on another forum to use amqule plus for water changes when cycling a tank with fish,

what would you say for that?

will this one fish be suffecient for a 50 gallon tank or do i need to add another?

 

[loveforfhishies]

the test kit i have messures pH, Carbonate, General Hardness, Nitrite, Amonnia, and carbon dioxide.

is that ok or do i need a different test kit?

this is a tetratest laborett