New Tank

[missy2]

i just brought a new fish tank just wondering how long i should let it run before i transfer my fish into it. i have african cichlids i have three other tanks and is it ok to transfer them around without changing the water i mean swaping them around they are all african cichlids just turning 2 of them into breeding tanks. one of them is staying as it is as there are oscars in it. anyone got any info on this.

 

[Angel_Queen]

Have you cycled the "new" tank, or are you planning to?

 

[missy2]

no have not even put water in yet have to do all that sorry what you mean by cycled

 

[Angel_Queen]

Cycling

The "nitrogen cycle'' (more precisely, the nitrification cycle) is the biological process that converts ammonia (which comes mainly from fish waste) into other, relatively harmless nitrogen compounds. Fortunately, several species of bacteria do this conversion for us. Some species convert ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (N02-), while others convert nitrite to nitrate (NO3-). Thus, cycling the tank refers to the process of establishing bacterial colonies in the filter bed that convert ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate.

Ammonia and NitrIte are both toxic to fish in relatively small amounts, so this conversion is absolutely necessary. NitrAte is less toxic to the fish, but we still have to maintain the tank and not let the levels get too high. We do this through regular water changes, which essentially dilutes the amount of nitrAtes present in the water.

Most fish-keepers will recommend you "cycling" your tank without fish in it. So build up the bacteria in an empty fish tank (with water obviously) and using the addition of pure ammonia, added by you. This is obviously much safer for the fish and you won't run the risk of any fish dying through the process.

Fishless Cycling

Some newbies however (like myself) find out about the cycling process too late, and have fish in the tank, or at least no viable place to put the fish. Thel in kbelow will give you some information of what is involved with cycling your tank with fish. As you have your fish in a tank already, IMHO you should go ahead with a fishless cycle.

Cycling with Fish

If you hav any other questions about cycling in general, I'd direct them to the "New To The Hobby" section where people can help.
Hope this helps.

 

[missy2]

Cycling

The "nitrogen cycle'' (more precisely, the nitrification cycle) is the biological process that converts ammonia (which comes mainly from fish waste) into other, relatively harmless nitrogen compounds. Fortunately, several species of bacteria do this conversion for us. Some species convert ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (N02-), while others convert nitrite to nitrate (NO3-). Thus, cycling the tank refers to the process of establishing bacterial colonies in the filter bed that convert ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate.

Ammonia and NitrIte are both toxic to fish in relatively small amounts, so this conversion is absolutely necessary. NitrAte is less toxic to the fish, but we still have to maintain the tank and not let the levels get too high. We do this through regular water changes, which essentially dilutes the amount of nitrAtes present in the water.

Most fish-keepers will recommend you "cycling" your tank without fish in it. So build up the bacteria in an empty fish tank (with water obviously) and using the addition of pure ammonia, added by you. This is obviously much safer for the fish and you won't run the risk of any fish dying through the process.

Fishless Cycling

Some newbies however (like myself) find out about the cycling process too late, and have fish in the tank, or at least no viable place to put the fish. Thel in kbelow will give you some information of what is involved with cycling your tank with fish. As you have your fish in a tank already, IMHO you should go ahead with a fishless cycle.

Cycling with Fish

If you hav any other questions about cycling in general, I'd direct them to the "New To The Hobby" section where people can help.
Hope this helps.

ok thanks for that i will do that