New Tank

[marks]

Hi Everyone

As you can see, I'm brand new to this stuff and have been reading up on various topics regarding the setting up of my aquarium.. Could someone please answer probably the most silliest of questions ever posted please ?
How long do I wait to introduce my first fish to my new aquarium after filling it up with water ? I have read anything from 2 days to 6 weeks..

 

[SJ2K]

Thats anything but silly

The amount of time depends on how long the process of tank "cycling" takes. This process is how we grow the benefitial bacteria in the filter which aids in breaking down the chemicals in fish waist. There are 2 methods of cycling, the most popular is known as fishless cycling:

Fishless Cycling

Once youve got your head around that, feel free to ask further questions

 

[nicnak]

I'm a newbie myself but you need to cycle your tank first... loads of info on here about that.
I'm doing a fishy cycle but the best way ,according to this site is fishless..... again ,loads of info,im sure someone more experienced will give you more info

 

[cheesy feet]

Thats not a silly question
Basically you can add fish when the nitrogen cycle has completed, meaning that ammonia (which comes from fish waste etc) is converted into nitrite to the less potent nitrate by nitrifying bacteria in the bioligical part of the filter.Even then there will not be enough nitrifying bacteria to convert lots of ammonia into nitrite > nitrate therefore to keep a full stocking you will have to build the nitrifying bacteria up by adding a few fish at a time in a period of weeks/months.The final product (nitrate) of the nitrogen cycle is removed by water changes.Weekly or every 2nd week are best.

 

[marks]

Thanks everyone, a really useful forum and I'll be taking all advise that has been offered.
Thank you