ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
how big are cardinal tetras and neon tetras compared 2 each other? -heart 
, ally86ozzy
, ally86ozzyTetras
- Thread starter ally86ozzy
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Cardinals are ffffffffractionaly bigger & neons but basically the same thing. I do prefer Cardinals however, as they have a deeper red and display a lot better than neons.how big are cardinal tetras and neon tetras compared 2 each other? -heart
ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
this is wut im thinkin for my 10 gal for fish: 5 neon tetras, 1 cardinal tetra (read one of my recent posts for info about this) my guppy, 3 dwarf otos, and 1 dwarf gourami. i hav plastic plants in my aquarium, and i might put in some floating plants (java moss?) and some elodea. this is a good setup, right? plz respond. -heart , ally86ozzy
, ally86ozzy
this is wut im thinkin for my 10 gal for fish: 5 neon tetras, 1 cardinal tetra (read one of my recent posts for info about this) my guppy, 3 dwarf otos, and 1 dwarf gourami. i hav plastic plants in my aquarium, and i might put in some floating plants (java moss?) and some elodea. this is a good setup, right? plz respond. -heart
A 10 gal is mighty small and you're pushing to the max, but will be ok.... strong filtration and regular water changes.... yes...
Ian H
Fish Herder
neons WILL die in an un-cycled tank
basically when a fish poo's it rots and gives off ammonia, this is highly toxic to fish and will kill them. There is bacteria that breeds in the filter that changes it into nitrite, this is also toxic to fish and will kill them. Theres another kind of bacteria that breeds in the filter that changes the nitrite into nitrate you control the levels of this with your water change.
In the wild all this bacteria is there already. If you don't cycle your filter/tank your neons WILL die
basically when a fish poo's it rots and gives off ammonia, this is highly toxic to fish and will kill them. There is bacteria that breeds in the filter that changes it into nitrite, this is also toxic to fish and will kill them. Theres another kind of bacteria that breeds in the filter that changes the nitrite into nitrate you control the levels of this with your water change.
In the wild all this bacteria is there already. If you don't cycle your filter/tank your neons WILL die
ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
is there a way to cycle a tank in less than a month (2 weeks max) cuz i really dont wana wait a month until i can put fish in my tank. -heart , ally86ozzy
, ally86ozzy
Ian H
Fish Herder
it all depends, if you know some one with a tank set up you could borrow some of their media to speed the process up (that should get it done in under 2 weeks) or you can buy something to do it (completely forgot the name, it will be in a fridge in your lfs if they have it the rest of them such as cycle and what not are rubbish and dont do anything)
TBH im sick of alot of people on here who just want fish now regardless of if they live or die (which you obviously dont care if you wont cycle your tank) if you want something pretty to look at buy a picture not fish.
TBH im sick of alot of people on here who just want fish now regardless of if they live or die (which you obviously dont care if you wont cycle your tank) if you want something pretty to look at buy a picture not fish.
ALW
What works for one may not work for another!
ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
HEY!!!!! WHYD U SAY THAT! ID BE CRUSHED IF MY FISH DIED! ALL IM SAYING IS THAT I DONT WANT 2 WAIT A MONTH DO U HAV 2 B SO MEAN?!?!?!?!
AND WUT DOES FILTER MEDIA MEAN? GOSH NOW IM GONA BE SAD/MAD 4 THE REST OF THE DAY, CALLING ME A 'PERSON WHO JUST WANTS FISH NOW REGARDLESS IF THEY LIVE OR DIE'. THATS CRUEL! UR BASICALLY COMPARING ME 2 A PERSON WHO WOULD KILL CATS OR DOGS JUST 4 THE HECK OF IT!!!!! OR DOG FIGHT! WHICH IS ILLEGAL! AND I DONT EVEN KNO WUT TBH STANDS 4!!! THNX A LOT!!!
Ian H
Fish Herder
TBH stands for "tbh"
and you said you couldnt wait longer than 2 weeks to add fish, which sounds like your going to add fish after 2 weeks regardless of if the tank is cycled or not.
Filter media is the sponge/bio balls in the actual filter
If you don't want your fish to die then make sure your filter is fully cycled first, sorry but you are going to have to wait for as long as it takes you can't just put a time limit on it
and you said you couldnt wait longer than 2 weeks to add fish, which sounds like your going to add fish after 2 weeks regardless of if the tank is cycled or not.
Filter media is the sponge/bio balls in the actual filter
If you don't want your fish to die then make sure your filter is fully cycled first, sorry but you are going to have to wait for as long as it takes you can't just put a time limit on it
ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
fine but im still mad. wut i wuz getting at is that im impatient. ill wait a month but it will iritate me. but seriously i care about my fish. i WILL get tetra. they WILL live. YOULL SEE!
ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
do guys just live 2 put ppl down?!?!
ally86ozzy
Fish Crazy
(This reply is 4 Ian H) i cant stay mad at someone 4 2 long... im sry 
. i guess ur right. anyways, it wuz my 16-yr old brother who told me to get tetras. i guess i could get guppies and breed them. but then where would i put the babies? and i still DO want a betta.....
. i guess ur right. anyways, it wuz my 16-yr old brother who told me to get tetras. i guess i could get guppies and breed them. but then where would i put the babies? and i still DO want a betta.....Hi Ally, I'm new here so don't want to tread on any toes as I too am looking for some advice in a thread of my own. But....... I would like to tell you something about my tank. I've had goldfish for years so I'm familiar with fish. Goldfish however are extremely hardy and more tolerant than tropicals. I only set up our tropical tank 8 months ago.
I did not cycle the tank. I put 10 cardinals, 6 harlequins and 3 mollys in the tank. I used a bacteria in the water and waited 4 hours to let it settle and the temp to be right before I put the fish in. I don't recommend this as it really isn't the best way. I had always done this with the goldfish but was told that they can bear this alot easier and they have cold water.
I lost 1 harlequin after 3 weeks. This was due to the nitrate levels. It happened going into the 4th week. I felt horrible as I was to blame for his death. The reason the other members are telling you to wait the 4 weeks is like they said the bacteria needs to grow and the tank does actually cycle. The final stage of this cycle is the nitrates and once you get past this and the levels are okay your fish will be fine. Nitrates are toxic and kill the fish.
If you do choose to start straight away even though it isn't recommended, you need to put the bacteria in the water to help speed up the growth. Put in some live plants and driftwood and bacteria pellets in your filter (they sit on the top) and 'take off' some water and replace it with non chlorine water every week. The most important thing you can do is take some water from your tank to the fish shop every week to have it tested. They will tell you how your going and how far you are in the cycling period. I really can't stress how important that is, as without knowing what's going on with the water you have no idea how your fish are coping.
The reason I didn't wait was because I was not experienced in tropical fish and started it up the way I had with the goldfish. Knowing what I do now, I would cycle. I was lucky with only having 1 fatality. The pet shop was amazed that no cardinals died. I was greatful. But I was vigilant in checking with him the water quality and checked the PH daily. I learnt alot very quickly to ensure their survival as I had already bought them not knowing. You also need to 'take off' water in the nitrate phase regularly and slow the feeding just for this week.
Alternatively you can set it up the same way and let it run without fish. This requires some patience
I know it's hard, my kids were desperate to have the tank with fish from day 1 so I understand.
I'm not sure of the name but the member who mentioned to you to try and get hold of some established water from a tank, this is a really great idea.
Good Luck!!! I really hope you have success and it works out for you.
Cheers Lisa
I did not cycle the tank. I put 10 cardinals, 6 harlequins and 3 mollys in the tank. I used a bacteria in the water and waited 4 hours to let it settle and the temp to be right before I put the fish in. I don't recommend this as it really isn't the best way. I had always done this with the goldfish but was told that they can bear this alot easier and they have cold water.
I lost 1 harlequin after 3 weeks. This was due to the nitrate levels. It happened going into the 4th week. I felt horrible as I was to blame for his death. The reason the other members are telling you to wait the 4 weeks is like they said the bacteria needs to grow and the tank does actually cycle. The final stage of this cycle is the nitrates and once you get past this and the levels are okay your fish will be fine. Nitrates are toxic and kill the fish.
If you do choose to start straight away even though it isn't recommended, you need to put the bacteria in the water to help speed up the growth. Put in some live plants and driftwood and bacteria pellets in your filter (they sit on the top) and 'take off' some water and replace it with non chlorine water every week. The most important thing you can do is take some water from your tank to the fish shop every week to have it tested. They will tell you how your going and how far you are in the cycling period. I really can't stress how important that is, as without knowing what's going on with the water you have no idea how your fish are coping.
The reason I didn't wait was because I was not experienced in tropical fish and started it up the way I had with the goldfish. Knowing what I do now, I would cycle. I was lucky with only having 1 fatality. The pet shop was amazed that no cardinals died. I was greatful. But I was vigilant in checking with him the water quality and checked the PH daily. I learnt alot very quickly to ensure their survival as I had already bought them not knowing. You also need to 'take off' water in the nitrate phase regularly and slow the feeding just for this week.
Alternatively you can set it up the same way and let it run without fish. This requires some patience
I know it's hard, my kids were desperate to have the tank with fish from day 1 so I understand.I'm not sure of the name but the member who mentioned to you to try and get hold of some established water from a tank, this is a really great idea.
Good Luck!!! I really hope you have success and it works out for you.
Cheers Lisa
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