New Tank Question

[FishBlast]

I was considering continuing with a fish in cycle. I may look into a betta, I got one from a wedding and he lived in a bowl for 5 months without me doing anything for him, i know he probably didn't like me for it.

Then prepare for daily water changes and making a little chemistry lab corner. Oh, and a huge water bill. That's what I got for having a fish-in cycle.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yep, what fishblast says is true. It can certianly be done bust most feel that the amount of work involved insn't worth it. Many people do choose to do a fish-in cycle but the experts generally advise against it as there is a much higher risk for illness and the large daily water changes are a lot of hassle!

Do let us know how you get on

 

[FishBlast]

Yep, what fishblast says is true. It can certianly be done bust most feel that the amount of work involved insn't worth it. Many people do choose to do a fish-in cycle but the experts generally advise against it as there is a much higher risk for illness and the large daily water changes are a lot of hassle!

Do let us know how you get on

Yeah but not with sensitive fish unless you'd be changing it almost like non-stop unless you are lucky and manage to have hardy neons for example.
In a 5 gal, not much of a hassle. 10L bottle was all I had to change a day.
It's the water bill that grew.

 

[winterpeg]

I think I am going to try a fish in cycle once more and prepare for daily water changes. I did a 75% change today and it took me only 5 to 10 minutes so not to bad. What is a good hardy fish to start with, I have heard that the zebra danio were a hardy fish, is there any other options. Would it be best just to get one fish for now and wait until the tank is cycled.

 

[Liz1993]

Please please please dont make the mistake I did, Ive had so much trouble with my tank!! Ive literally after 7 weeks just sorted it out, I thaught "mehh ill get some water conditioner and chuck a couple of goldfish in" well the amount of trouble I had!! The fish in cycle is just not worth it, knowing what i do now id definately wait, Definately listen to the advice everyone offers on here because it has saved my tank, I was ready to grab it and throw it out the window!!

 

[FishBlast]

I think I am going to try a fish in cycle once more and prepare for daily water changes. I did a 75% change today and it took me only 5 to 10 minutes so not to bad. What is a good hardy fish to start with, I have heard that the zebra danio were a hardy fish, is there any other options. Would it be best just to get one fish for now and wait until the tank is cycled.

Zebra danios although hardy, are not good for 5 gallon.
And sometimes you'd need to do TWO 75% changes a day to keep ammonia at 0 and nitrites too.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Zebra danios aren't appropriate for your tank. Besides what are you going to do with the fish when you're done cycling? I'm finding it difficult to make recommendations when I know you are going to go ahead with a fish-in cycle but you might as well get the fish you want to stock the tank with permanently instead of this "find a hardy fish" idea.

I'm not an expert on stocking but you could maybe get away with one of these options:
5 endlers OR
1 betta and 3 endlers OR
1 betta and some shrimp OR
3-4 male guppies

Most other fish will not be suitable for your tank. I get the feeling you've already made up your mind though

EDIT: male endlers only

 

[gforce17]

Yep, what fishblast says is true. It can certianly be done bust most feel that the amount of work involved insn't worth it. Many people do choose to do a fish-in cycle but the experts generally advise against it as there is a much higher risk for illness and the large daily water changes are a lot of hassle!

Do let us know how you get on

Yeah but not with sensitive fish unless you'd be changing it almost like non-stop unless you are lucky and manage to have hardy neons for example.
In a 5 gal, not much of a hassle. 10L bottle was all I had to change a day.
It's the water bill that grew.

You have grown into a true expert! Well done!

 

[FishBlast]

Yep, what fishblast says is true. It can certianly be done bust most feel that the amount of work involved insn't worth it. Many people do choose to do a fish-in cycle but the experts generally advise against it as there is a much higher risk for illness and the large daily water changes are a lot of hassle!

Do let us know how you get on

Yeah but not with sensitive fish unless you'd be changing it almost like non-stop unless you are lucky and manage to have hardy neons for example.
In a 5 gal, not much of a hassle. 10L bottle was all I had to change a day.
It's the water bill that grew.

You have grown into a true expert! Well done!

Sarcasm?

I still don't know how am I going to feed baby swordtails when I'm out of daphnia and all I have are flakes and bloodworms. I did raise swordies before but on daphnia till they grew and could eat bloodworms. Never had to deal with flakes. Even if finely crushed they won't touch them. -.-
And I'm still making huge mistakes like I did today, ended up with 5 tiny fry in a tub for which I have no support but daily water changes and an ammonia tester. -.- But I just can't throw them into the "lion pit", they'll get butchered and left on the sand with tails cut off
I do have 2 survivors in the main tank but doubt they'll last long with only one plant and some bits of water sprite floating at the top...

 

[winterpeg]

Where would you be able to find pure ammonia. I am from Canada and it seems alot of people on here are from the UK, just need some ideas on where to look.

 

[superguppygirl]

I would nix getting Endlers unless you get just males as they are as prolific as guppies and eat less of their young lol try Safeway general cleaner CLEAR not Green, plus you'll need a Ammonia, nitrate test kits to monitor your levels

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

You may be able to find it on the internet if you can't find it in a local shop - it's really cheap stuff less than $2 I'm sure.