WHAT TO DO

[pandapops001]

I've just bought a 27.5gal tank, it has an internal filter, heater, ornaments and plants, which i've been told to leave for at least 10 days before adding the fish.

However as i've never owned tropical fish, im really confused at what and how many fish i should get and whether i can add them all at the same time, theres so much you need to know.

I really like the colourful types but after some light reading, most require an external filter .

does anyone have any ideas, i like the neon tetra's, and the dwarf gouramis (external filter only). Please help

Regards
Miranda

 

[Becca]

I'm still new to the fish world and I'm afraid I can't answer *both* of your questions, but I can tell you about my personal experience and what I've learned about fish quantity limits and how to add them:

Everyone says the guideline to keeping your tank from being over populated is to allow 1 gallon of water per 1 inch of BODY of a fish - for their ADULT size - (fins don't count). Some say the 1-gallon should be changed to about 2 gallons...Since my tank is under-populated at the moment, I can't give you a definite answer on which one I'd go with.

As for how to add your fish - I've been told (and seen) that you lose fish if you add too many at one time, so my rule of thumb is to acquire about 3-4 fish, introduce them to the tank, and then *sigh* wait about a week, sometimes longer, to get some more pals. The waiting can be hard - but to help ease the pain, I start researching the new kinds of fish I'd like to add. CHeck out pictures, see what kind of experience other tank owners have had with the particular fish, see what their compatible with - and for God's sake (I've learned this lesson all too well...) make sure that their *ADULT* size will still be a suitable fit in your tank.

Hope I was at least some help. And to anyone that replies: if I said something incorrectly - please feel free to correct me. I'm here to learn too!

 

[clutterydrawer]

why must dwarf gouramis have an external filter? i never heard of that before.

 

[tstenback]

Are you just leaving the tank filled with tap water and dechlorinator sit there for ten days? If you are then some one has misinformed you. The tank must be cycled either with or without fish. To better understand what i am talking about have a read of this article it will ive you the information that you definitely need at this point. Then come back and ask all the questions that the article will make you think about. HTH

 

[fishlova]

i never heard of dwarf gouramis but i tell u neon tetras does not really need an extrnal filter

 

[Xellos69]

if you're REALLY impatient (cycling might take more than 10 days), some stresszyme might speed things up.

 

[Sky042]

if you're REALLY impatient (cycling might take more than 10 days), some stresszyme might speed things up.

A real cycle fishless or otherwise will take more than 10 days.

running the tank for 10 days with just water in it not doing a fishless cycle will accomplish absolutely nothing at all but having an emtpy tank to stare at.

 

[CFC]

Please be aware that the so called liquid bacteria products(stress zyme, cycle, bacterlife etc) are just a huge con and a waste of time and money, they have much the same affect as adding a bottle of water to the tank.
The only product on the market that really does have benefitial bacteria is Bio spira which is kept in the fridge and has a use by date. Personally im not a supporter of the fishless cycle and preffer to cycle with a few hardy fish like zebra danios and some established media from a mature tank.

 

[pandapops001]

The Guy at the petstore sold me three bottles, all nutrafin, one a biological aquarium supplement, a water conditioner and one for plants, i added the right amounts for my tank, except the plant food as i've only got false ones (and i cant imagine them being too peckish), but as i said have not yet added any fish, he made it all sound so simple (add the water, heater, filter, conditioner, etc and just wait ten days), but clearly there is alot more to know.

I thought this would suffice, but then began to have doubts about the cycle that i put in, i understand that its bacteria, but the bloke at the shop said it needed the fish faeces to feed on? am i being thick here, have i just wasted the cycle, by not waiting until the fish were in the tank, or will it be okay,

And how will i know when its safe to add fish

I'm really sorry, but you are all so knowledgeable, and this stuff would take me a lifetime to find out on the internet, ooopps sorry i'll read that article now

Regards
Miranda