Just got a fistank!

[Rollerbird]

I have put some fish in and am Very excited
Will i am sure ask for advice and tips
Ive got a hexagon shape tank with zebra danios in a bag in the water acclimatising per fish shop advice

[user1474539059]

Great! Hope you enjoy.

Is the tank cycled?

[Rollerbird]

I got told to put some liquid in and i could put them in straight away? It apparenrly has all the good bacteria in it?

[TrionicLettuce]

You still need to make sure the tank is cycling properly before you put any fish in.

Have a read of this, it explains the nitrogen cycle and why it's so important to get it all sorted before the fish go in.

There's a bit about "bottled bacteria" (presumably this is what you were given):

Bottled bacteria causes a lot of debate on fishkeeping forums! We’re working on some more detailed information about this so watch this space for more information. It’s best not to think of anything as being a ‘short cut’ through the fishless cycle though; bottled bacteria may be able to speed up the fishless cycle in some instances but you will still need to understand the process and test the water to ensure that the nitrogen cycle is working properly before you add any fish to your tank.

[Buddahbelly]

Do you have a filter? If not I really recommend one, Its cut down the cleaning out of our tank.

[Lemon12345]

I'm with Lettuce. It is best to have a cycled fish tank before adding in the fish.
What sort of filter do you have?

I have done a fish in cycle before. Just make sure to test the water daily and be prepared for lots of water changes. I find the API test kit is one of the best. The strips aren't as good.
What water treatment are you using? I use Seachem Prime and it's brilliant. It seems a little more expensive but actually for the amount you would use it work out much much cheaper. I was buying some stuff from my local pet shop. One bottle lasted about 3 or 4 water changes, changing about 30% of the water. The Prime is still going strong after about 6 months... with usually weekly water changes.

[user1474539059]

Oookay - did you not do any research before buying the fish?

Please take the fish back and do a fish-less cycle. Its much much kinder and safer. If you have to keep the fish make sure you read up on the nitrogen cycle and are on top of your daily water changes and testing.

A filter is absolutely essential.

Remember, clear water is not indicative of the tank being ready for fish.

[Rollerbird]

I bought a tank with a filter and heater
I dont know about the water testing but can get a kit.
Daily water changes?
Why isnt a test strip one any good? The api one - is that the master kit? Or a different one?
I got the tetra bacteria and the shop said it was fine - The filter also was wet as the guy i bought from second hand had just moved a fish from this tank to a bigger one before selling his Old one to me. It also had a soggy piece of wood and gravel in it.
Would these hold bacteria?
If i get a test kit tonight after work can i post results and get advice?

[user1474539059]

Ok interesting.

If you bought the tank and filter second hand you are likely to have colonies of good bacteria ready to process fish waste. The gravel will hold sum but its negligible - especially if you washed the tank out with tap water.

However - if the man who sold you the filter only had a few fish or his fish did not create much waste your new fish might overload the filter and you will still have to look at cycling the tank. Equally some of the bacteria in the filter might have died during transportation/setting up your tank. Or if you washed the filter in tapwater etc etc.

Test strips are fine for weekly use once the tank is established but not really before. This is because test strip readings are not always exact. If you want to be exact it is better to find a liquid kit. For example - the API. API is not a master kit, just a well regarded brand.

Post results. I am sure everyone who regularly looks at Fishnet will be interested in making the best home for your fish.

Daily water changes: get home from work, make yourself a cup of tea and research the nitrogen cycle. You may, may, have to do small daily water changes to help with any ammonia spikes. Certainly you need to be doing about 20% water changes each week.

[user1474539059]

Some*

[user1474539059]

The most crucial things you need to closely monitor for the next month or so are: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and the pH.

[Rollerbird]

The pet shops (2) I tried didnt have the kit in!
Ive ordered one on amazon and also the seachem prime and seachem stability
Hope fish are ok till friday when hopefully it arrives.
Came home to hot water too - 29c turned heater to 26c (felt like warm bathwater)

[reallyanotherone]

Oh o/p.

Did you not realise you need a masters in water chemistry to keep fish?

I'm not joking btw. Lots of very bad fish advice out there and it'll be a rapid learning curve. Hope the fish survive it.

Did the filter have a sponge in it already from the previous tank? If it didn't dry out that will make a huge difference. In fact if you know anyone with a tank who will give yoi some of their sponge, or at least some squeezings, will make it much easier on the fish.

[Rollerbird]

Apparenrly filter was wet. Husband put water in before i got home.
Filter is hidden at back of tank with the heater.

[Rollerbird]

Ps i havent buried plant weights yet! Dont judge on that!

[Rollerbird]

I looked at the filter today.(test kit not arriving till 7-10 nov
It's got a section at the back of the tank (inside it) one side has the heater and a load of stacked up sponges some thick and coarse and some thin and soft
They do seem to have gunge in if thats good?
The other side has a small black thing attached to a pipe that blows water out back into the tank.
Ive put seachem stability in.
Fish all still seem okay.
As soon as the kit comes i will report test values.

[Rollerbird]

Kit in arrived
Ph 7.8
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate less than 5, more than zero