We Have Our First Tank!

[Cobblepot]

Just wanted to update everyone who chimed in on my other thread - we just got finished setting up our tank for Biscuit - and we splurged on a 10 Gallon for him!

We originally wanted the 5 Gallon Mini Bow, but were at the pet store, and they had a great deal on a 10 gallon with a light, hood, heater, filter, and thermometer. I also got the API test kit on sale!

The setup is currently running, and we are going to let the whole thing cycle for 24 hours and then do a prelim test before we introduce him. The aquarium kit also came with a packet of API Stress Zyme + Biological Filtration Booster. The packet is enough to treat the entire 10 gallons. Is this something I want to add now, and have it start cycling through the system? I assume this is what is going to assist in stabilizing the aquarium? The packet says "Speeds the development of the biological filter for a clean aquarium."

Anyways - the whole setup is going to look great. We have some nice black gravel at the bottom which we think is going to make his rich teal and purple really stand out. No new toys for him yet - he looks pretty sad in his bowl, as we took away his statue and plants to put them in the big box now. He'll be sad for tonight, but I'm sure he will get over it tomorrow when he has a warm, clean 10 gallons to himself.

The setup also came with some good guides for cycling the tank with fish in it, and a handy chart for tracking PH, Nitrate, Nitrite and Ammonia levels.

We will have some pics up for you all tomorrow, got to charge my camera.

We are very excited!

 

[Platygirl11]

You know, you could buy a divider and have 2 bettas in the 10 gal. Just a thought.

 

[loraxchick]

that stress zyme wont do a thing for your cycle...its just a gimic to make money, sorry...still lots of water changes in your future...with a ten gal., it shouldnt be too bad if you stick to just the betta until you are cycled. in the meantime you can think about if you woold want to try him sith some tank mates and which ones you might want. cories or khuli loaches would be nice in there, as would some shrimp or a snail colony.
looking forward to pics

 

[meguro]

Buy a small-medium flowerpot (terracotta) from a local garden centre/nursery and attach a plant to it (java fern, anubias etc.). It would make a good addition to your tank (place on its side).

Your betta will be ecstatic with the 10g.

 

[Forestpisces]

Go for kuhli's

Just added 4 to my 9.1gal today and there so cute and are eating off the bottom already

Biscuit will be so happy for the space and i'm sure he'l use every inch of it. Well done and best of luck with him

 

[Cobblepot]

Thanks all!

We have the aquarium running now - it has not yet run for a full 24 hours, but I just tested the water:

79 Degrees F
7.6 pH
0 Ammonia
0 Nitrate
0 Nitrite

Think it is safe to add him now, or should we let the tank run a full 24 hours first?

 

[xweeqtx]

You're only really needing to let the tank heat up, it's not going to do any more cycling in the next 24 hours than it is at present. Best just to get him in there, he'll love it!

 

[Honeythorn]

Your tank will NOT cycle in 24 hours. It takes 4-6 weeks. You don't have any readings because there are no bacteria in your tank, or fish. It's all new and effectively sterile until you add either ammonia or fish to get the bacteria growing.

Stress zyme, Cycle, all these bottled and powdered products do not contain live bacteria. They will not start or speed up a cycle in any way. Bacteria cannot survive more than a day or so without a source of food. This means ammonia. Since these bottles will have been sealed and sat on a shelf in storage, transit, and eventually the shop for several days if not months, any bacteria they may have originally contained will be long dead, and of no use to you. So that's money wasted there.

A fish in cycle is really not reccomended, as the exposure to ammonia and nitrites can really put strain on the fishes systems and health. Bettas are just as susceptible to disease and illness as other fish. Aisde from temperature difference and current thy aren't much different to gouramis .

If you are able to get hold of some used, mature filter media from another tank that has been set up for several months, you can fill your own filter with this ( don't wash it!!! ) and this will provide you with the bacteria you need to have a cycled, stable tank environment.


If you haven't got the betta yet, and you aren't able to get some mature media from another tank, then I would highly suggest you read the fishless cycling thread on this site ( new to fishkeeping section I believe ) .

 

[Cobblepot]

Your tank will NOT cycle in 24 hours. It takes 4-6 weeks. You don't have any readings because there are no bacteria in your tank, or fish. It's all new and effectively sterile until you add either ammonia or fish to get the bacteria growing.

Stress zyme, Cycle, all these bottled and powdered products do not contain live bacteria. They will not start or speed up a cycle in any way. Bacteria cannot survive more than a day or so without a source of food. This means ammonia. Since these bottles will have been sealed and sat on a shelf in storage, transit, and eventually the shop for several days if not months, any bacteria they may have originally contained will be long dead, and of no use to you. So that's money wasted there.

A fish in cycle is really not reccomended, as the exposure to ammonia and nitrites can really put strain on the fishes systems and health. Bettas are just as susceptible to disease and illness as other fish. Aisde from temperature difference and current thy aren't much different to gouramis .

If you are able to get hold of some used, mature filter media from another tank that has been set up for several months, you can fill your own filter with this ( don't wash it!!! ) and this will provide you with the bacteria you need to have a cycled, stable tank environment.


If you haven't got the betta yet, and you aren't able to get some mature media from another tank, then I would highly suggest you read the fishless cycling thread on this site ( new to fishkeeping section I believe ) .

Thank you for the concern. We have already decided to do a fish-in cycle. We were just concerned about the amount of time we needed to run the tank before starting this process.

 

[lilacamy931]

I am sure Biscuit will enjoy his new home!

 

[xweeqtx]

Honeythorn, just so you don't think we're all telling him to chuck a betta in a new tank...

They bought the betta without knowing about cycling etc, and he was in a 1/2 gallon bowl with no heater, or filter.

 

[Cobblepot]

Honeythorn, just so you don't think we're all telling him to chuck a betta in a new tank...

They bought the betta without knowing about cycling etc, and he was in a 1/2 gallon bowl with no heater, or filter.

AND BOY IS HE HAPPY NOW!!!

We got him in the tank and he is INSTANTLY more active. He's been in there for about an hour, and he is exploring every inch of his new home. We dont have much in the tank now, so he's spending a lot of time swimming around the filter and heater.

We have the tank at 80 degrees, and he seems to be loving it. When the heater kicks on, he'll swim over to it and spend some time next to it, then swim away and have some fun. I missed a great photo opp - as soon as we put him in, he swam up to one side of the aquarium. We had a large houseplant next to it, and I think he caught a reflection of himself, because he flared out completely. It was gorgeous, and it happened right under the light, so you could see all of his beautiful color.

I think we may have to take a walk up to the pet store and get some new stuff for his tank.

 

[xweeqtx]

Aww, glad he's so happy now! Need to get some photos

 

[Platygirl11]

Yes pics! You could also get him a coconut hut. my girl bettas love theirs.