How Long Should I Wait?

[tonym]

how long should i wait before putting a betta in a new tank its been running from monday is thursday too soon? how many days should it be?

Any help appreciated

Tony

 

[WILDER]

Usually two days.

 

[laurasmithuk]

have u cycled the tank? wouldn't advised putting anything in a tank that has not been cycled.............. read these
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=7952

these should help

 

[Durbkat]

How big is the tank (in gallons)? Because usually what I heard was anything under 5g doesn't need to be cycled unless you have a filter in it.

 

[laurasmithuk]

how big is the tank mate?

 

[tonym]

the tanks 5 gallons and if by cycled u mean a pump sucking water up to a sponge filter with chlorine reducing stuff in the water then yes its being done.

Thanx

Tony

rite now ive read thouroughly it means your first fish your pride n joy u have to condem to a horrible death just to get dam germs in your tank. isnt that nice

ive got that chemical in the tank which makes tap water safe will this do a good enough job or is my first fish doomed?

Tony

 

[yvez9]

just runnign a filter on a bare for a few days won't cycle it
you need a source of ammonia.

now that you've read on cycling, i guess you know what to do

 

[tonym]

would putting some water from a friends already running tank work,
because that water will have ammonia in it?

 

[Bryan1957]

Tonym,
If your friend's tank is cycled there shouldn't be any ammonia in the water. You can "clone" another tank by using some of the substrate or some filter media from a cycled tank. The beneficial bacteria live on the surfaces in a tank.
If you can get some substrate it can be suspended in a nylon for a week or two while the fish is in the tank. You will need the fish in the tank so there is ammonia produced to feed the bacteria that you introduce when you clone a tank. You will need a freshwater master test kit to check the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph. You will also need to make frequent water changes during this time with dechlorinated water the same temperature as the water of your tank.
There are no quick easy ways to cycle a tank, you will either need to do a fishless cycle, clone the tank with bacteria from an established tank, or cycle with fish (very hard on the fish).
I have cloned all my tanks, it is quicker than the other methods of cycling the tank. It still requires dilligence, frequent water changes, and testing the water at least once a day.
Taking short cuts will result in poorer water quality and increase the chance of disease in the tank. Patience and dilligence will pay off with healthy fish and fewer problems.
Bryan

 

[modernhamlet]

How big is the tank (in gallons)? Because usually what I heard was anything under 5g doesn't need to be cycled unless you have a filter in it.

Why talk if you don't know what you're talking about? It's hard enough to get people to take good advice without you spreading myths around.