Beginner New Tank - Total Confusion!

[friendsnotfood]

Hi

So, I agree to getting my son fish, and put my hand up that i naively had no idea what was truely involved. I have been reading things on here and at least knew not to get any fish when i got the tank and that i need to ideally do a fishless cycle first before doing so.

However, i got the tank 5 days ago (a 25l tank which came with filter and light in pack). I set it up as per instructions (clean tank, clean gravel& rocks, add filter, add water with treatment). We will only be going for cold water fish.

However 2 days ago the water went a little cloudy. I am now totally confused as to what it is and what to do. Is it a baterial bloom (however i have no fish, therefore ammonia, so where did the bacteria come from), is it just algae,or anything else.

I have read about fishless cycling but it says to wait until the water is clear before commencing.

Please could all you experienced fish keepers please let me know what on earth is going on, what i need to do to fix it, when i should begin my cyle and roughly how long until it would be ready for fish (need to explain to my son).

I am desperate to get this right and avoid damage to any of our little friends.

Thanks

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

did you clean the filter sponges?

 

[friendsnotfood]

did you clean the filter sponges?

Er....no, didnt say to in instructions so didnt think to

 

[Prime Ordeal]

As the water was clear for a few days and then went cloudy it probably is a bacterial bloom. What colour is the cloudiness?

The organics in the tank (even without fish) will be sufficient for the (heterotrophic) bacteria to feed on and cause the bloom so it's perfectly normal.

You can start your cycle straight away, no need for delay. If you need help with that just ask.

Oh, and as you said you're getting cold water fish, I hope you don't mean goldfish as the tank is totally unsuitable for that. The tank is too small for almost any fish, you're looking at about five, 5cm (adult size) fish, at most.

If you fishless cycle it should take about four weeks. That's the recommended way. You'll need a test kit for this.

Or, you can put a couple of hardy fish in straight away and do lots of water changes to keep the toxins down. That can continue for six weeks or more and you'll need a test kit to know when the toxins (ammonia and nitrite) are at a level that requires water changes.

 

[friendsnotfood]

Thanks for the reply.

Wow, 4 weeks, i'm not sure my son is going to understand that.

Perhaps i will look into cycling with fish.

I am aware it is a small tank and was thinking 4 small fish.

What small cold water fish would be the best option for withstanding fish in cycle?

Also, am i right in thinking to keep light on for around 8 hours per day?

Thanks for help so far.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Just know that it's hard on the fish to cycle with them in but that's something you have to decide on.

Be sure to use an ammonia detoxifying dechlorinator (like Seachem Prime) if you do and overdose it slightly.

I have to say I don't think this tank is suitable for any fish, it's just too small, but, if you must, then white cloud mountain minnow or perhaps rosy barbs would be ok. There are others but those are likely to be the easiest to get hold of.

Lighting isn't a fixed thing and you need to have it on for less time than encourages algae growth. I'd start with six hours for a week and then up it an hour each week and see what happens.

 

[sadguppy]

Thanks for the reply.

Wow, 4 weeks, i'm not sure my son is going to understand that.

Perhaps i will look into cycling with fish.

I am aware it is a small tank and was thinking 4 small fish.

What small cold water fish would be the best option for withstanding fish in cycle?

Also, am i right in thinking to keep light on for around 8 hours per day?

Thanks for help so far.

Will he understand when the fish are continually dying? I really don't mean to come across harsh but that is what is likely to happen with a fish-in cycle, unless you commit 100% and do daily changes of up to 90% of the water.

How do I know this? Because I went through it myself. It was hard work, and pretty traumatic coming down every morning praying the fish would still be alive.

If you are insistent that you want to forgo the much easier fishless cycle (I did it on my second tank, much easier - and if you know anyone with a tank who will give you some of their filter media it needn't take that long), there are some fish which are hardier than others. Danios are supposedly the best for a fish-in cycle but your tank is really too small for them, they need at least 6 of them in a long tank - preferably over 3ft. Perhaps variatus platies, which can be cold water?

 

[friendsnotfood]

Just read about fish in cyling and combined with comments above, have decided that i will go for cycling without fish and just have to explain to my son why (in the best way he will understand).

Best get started with my cycling then

Thanks for all replies!

 

[sadguppy]

Honestly, it is really the best way. As you only have a small tank, if a friend can donate some of their filter sponge to you (or you can find someone on here who lives near you willing to share) you could be up and running in a week or so.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Just read about fish in cyling and combined with comments above, have decided that i will go for cycling without fish and just have to explain to my son why (in the best way he will understand).

Best get started with my cycling then

Thanks for all replies!

Very wise. Although I do understand the pressure a child can put on things, patience isn't in their vocabulary.

 

[Salam]

How old is your son? Mine is almost three and it took me over five weeks to cycle a dwarf puffer tank. I just told him that the puffer fish is still in his mummy's tummy and that he will be born soon and once he is big enough we could take him home. It kept him happy for all the time. In between we went to the fish shop to look at the puffer's 'mummy and daddy' and it kept him happy. Tank is cycled and has survived it's qualifying week (ammonia and nitrites staying 0) so we are ready for our puffer tomorrow. BTW, the puffer is going into a 25l tank too, ideal size for one small fish. Maybe you want to consider adding a heater and going for a tropical fish. You could even have a betta.

 

[sadguppy]

How old is your son? Mine is almost three and it took me over five weeks to cycle a dwarf puffer tank. I just told him that the puffer fish is still in his mummy's tummy and that he will be born soon and once he is big enough we could take him home. It kept him happy for all the time. In between we went to the fish shop to look at the puffer's 'mummy and daddy' and it kept him happy. Tank is cycled and has survived it's qualifying week (ammonia and nitrites staying 0) so we are ready for our puffer tomorrow. BTW, the puffer is going into a 25l tank too, ideal size for one small fish. Maybe you want to consider adding a heater and going for a tropical fish. You could even have a betta.

This is so cute

I think many people think tropicals are more work but apart from adding what in your case would be a very small and low powered heater, there wouldn't be any other difference. A betta is a great fish for a kid and would suit the size of tank you have perfectly

 

[Salam]

This is so cute

Yes, he is now shouting "Goggle [he chose the name...] is big boy now. We pick him up tomorrow"

Friendsnotfood, tropicals are really the same, just a small heater for a tank that size and you are ready to a whole new world of fish. My son also loves the betta. I suppose they are nice and big fish considering they can live in such a smallish tank. And simply beautiful! You should really consider one. If you decide to do the fish-less cycling for sure then you have lots of time to research the perfect fish for you and your son.

Another option - although not sure how many - I think dwarf frogs can go in a small tank that size. They also fascinate young boys.

 

[friendsnotfood]

My son is 4, i think i may steal your idea and tell him the same. Hopefully that way he will be more patient!

Can someone tell me the pros and cons of tropical v cold water?

This is something i could still consider

Thanks

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Not much in it really but with tropical you'll have a much wider selection of fish, shrimps, snails etc. and the downside, not that it really is one, is that you'll need a heater.

Oh and with a heater you'll be able to raise your water temperature up to 30C during cycling which will speed it up a bit.