Hi guys; brand new to the forum! Just got my boy Takeo a little over a week ago and I have been reading nonstop to make sure I'm taking good care of him. But I somehow never came across tank cycling until today. I'm so confused and terrified because now since he's already in there I will have to cycle the tank with him in it right? How do I keep the amonia and nitrate levels from killing him and what do I do to get a healthy level of bacteria established? He is currently in a 2.5 gal with a very gentle sponge filter; heater was unsuitable so none right now as I'm looking for a better one, but his temp stays steady around 76 degrees. Anyway, any and all advice would be great I do not want him to die. He is a beautiful reddish halfmoon by the way I thought about buying a live plant this weekend as they're supposed to eat amonia would that help?