scorpiogirl

Hi, I have a 26 gallon freshwater tank that I received from a neighbor about a week and a half ago. Being new to fish keeping, I had no idea how to begin and failed to research anything before I added four goldfish. One died within the first two days and the other three were having problems too so I treated the tank with "tank buddies" parasite tabs and began doing salt water treatments. The remaining three fish seemed to recover nicely, however I decided to take them all back to the pet store and return them. From what I've learned so far, goldfish are very dirty fish and I would prefer community fish because this would allow me to keep more fish. I have not done anything to the water in the tank since taking the fish out except adding a heater.
I have several questions: How will I know when the tank has finished cycling? Since ammonia has already been introduced into my tank with a current reading of 0.5 (stress) level, is my tank already cycling? What should I expect as far as nitrite or nitrate levels? Both nitrite and nitrate levels are at 0 now. Will they "spike"? Also, will the parasite med that I put into the tank affect the cycling process of the new fish (when I introduce fish)? I did a 50% water change after I used the tank tabs.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks

Lucy

Hi Scorpiogirl Welcome to Fish Lore.
You've come to the right place to ask advice, the members here have a full range of knowledge.

Good move returning the gold fish and going for a fish less cycle. It'll be a lot less stressful to you and your fish.
I can't explain the cycle very well, so
here's a link on how to cycle a tank:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

I was confused after I read it the first time, second and third time lol, so feel free to ask any questions you might have.

What test kit are you using?

Good luck!

scorpiogirl

Hello Lucy,
Thank you for the warm welcome. Glad to hear that plenty of help is available here. I understand cycling for the most part but how do I know when my tank has completed the cycle? This is my main question.
I have been using "Quick Dip" testing stips that test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, water hardness, chlorine, alkalinity, and PH. I was told that this is sufficient.
Once I know that my tank has cycled, what type of fish should I introduce?

ThisGuy

Welcome to fishlore

The test strips are inaccurate, sorry to tell you that but to get proper results you need a liquid test, around here they recommend the API™ Freshwater Master Test Kit it gives very accurate results. As for stocking the choice is up to you, the general rule is 1" of adult fish per gallon but that is for small fish, you wouldn't want a 20" fish in a 26 gal tank that would just be mean. As for stocking ideas there is a stocking questions section where you can post any questions you have. I personally would recommend some small schooling fish to start, take a look at the
fresh water fish section. It will tell you the adult size of the fish and what the minimum tank size is.


Cheers

Ryan

scorpiogirl

Thanks for replying Ryan. I will get the test kit you suggest as soon as possible. How much does it cost? You read the history of the tank, about having the fish in the tank then taking them out. Now I have no fish in there and the lady from the pet store told me to wait approx. one week then test the water. How do I know when it has cycled? I've read all the info from this site about it but don't know if there is enough ammonia in the tank now to start the cycle. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Lisa

mlinden84

Since you removed the fish from the tank, you also removed your source of ammonia. You will need to "feed" the tank to get it cycled. I just added some fish flakes twice a day. You will see a spike in ammonia, then a spike in nitrites. Once these both go back to 0, and you have nitrates, you should be cycled.

Sometimes it can take a month or longer for a tank to fully cycle (horrible for people who are impatient like me!! )


As for the meds in the tank - Do you have a filter going? Is there carbon in it? If so, the meds have already been removed from the water by the carbon. If not, they will be removed when you do water changes.
If you no longer have fish in the tank, you will not need to do any water changes until the tank is cycled. Then I would recommend a 50% water change before you add fish (nitrates should be below 10 ppm).

scorpiogirl

Thank you mlinden84, you've given me some very helpful info.You know, I thought about adding the flakes but just wasn't sure. The ammonia level hasn't changed on bit and I knew I would have to do something, just scared to do something wrong here!
I know all about being impatient! Would it speed things up if I raise the temp? What temp would you suggest?
Yes, I have a whisper 20-40 filter on it and it comes with a filter bag and a black plastic-looking pad. They both go in together but I am not sure whether I should just take out the black thing and put another filter bag in there.?

ThisGuy

Most ppl go with fish food or pure ammonia(if you can buy it where you live) the other option is a hunk of shrimp or fish that you let rot in the tank to crate a source of ammonia, i personally wouldn't recommend it because it can make the water smell and thats just not cool. A cycle for a tank can vary from a couple weeks to 6-8 weeks but it all depends on your tank they all cycle differently, you just have to keep testing the water every couple of days and wait for them to stabilize. Then you get to add some fish, its recommended that you add them slowly so that you don't create an ammonia spike and kill everything. You live in the states so a master API should run you 20 something dollars where i live i think i payed 32 for mine. The best piece of advice i can give you is never trust anyone at the pet store, the fact of the matter is they make money by selling you fish and if they a fish and it dies you have to come back and buy more, so their advice is generally bad there are a couple good ones you just have to look really hard. Your better to ask lots of questions on this site and get some solid answers then make decision on buying fish, it will save you lots of headaches in the end.


Cheers

Ryan

ThisGuy

Leave the media in, the filter bag and a black plastic-looking pad it is what is cycling the tank and yes you can raise the temp up into the 80's to speed up the process.

scorpiogirl

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the great info. BTW, I would like to start off with schooling fish after the tank cycles. Been thinking about Zebra Danios, what do you suggest? I read that schooling fish need to be in groups of at least 5 or 6 so I just want to make sure that this won't hurt the biofilter. Don't want to create an ammonia spike like you said, Ryan. Think I'll stick with the fish food to raise the ammonia verses the yucky stuff, LOL! You crack me up. I'll heed your advice about the pet store people too. I want to do this right so I will have fewer regrets later. Also, I have fake plants in there now but am very interested in live plants. What types are best to start off with or should I wait until after I get fish?
Lisa

HatchetHaven

I just love to do this...


Idea 1#: Hardy community
8 Zebra danios
4 Male guppys
4 Male platys

Idea 2#: Pure awesomeness
15 mixed male Platys

Idea 3: Schooling community

6 Neon tetras
6 Serpae tetras
6 Harlequin rasboras

Idea 4: Betta playground
1 male Betta
6 Corys (Of the same kind!)

Idea 5: Peaceful community

8 Neon tetras
6 male Guppys
1 Bristlenose/Clown pleco

Idea 6: Community tank

3 Cockatoo apistos (1 male 2 female)
6 cherry barbs (1 male 5 female)
3 male Platys

Any of those take your fancy?

scorpiogirl

They all sound great, thank you. Would my 26 gallon be large enough? Would I add them in slowly? How many at a time? Does each senerio show the limit of what I would be able to have? Sorry for all the questions but I have no idea about these things.

HatchetHaven

All those Ideas are total stocking plans that would fit your tank. So, if you decided to go for idea 1, you would build up to have all the fish in idea 1, and no more. Get it? Yes, add them 2-3 at a time, and wait about a fortnight between introductions. This allows the filter to build up slowly to your maximum bio load. It's an easy way of giving you lots of options, and of course, we can adapt them all, for instance, the Harlequin rasboras in Idea 3 could be replaced by Zebra danios.

To learn how to acclimatise your fish, check out the articles section of the main site.

scorpiogirl

I get it, but how long is a fortnight? I've heard that saying but never knew what it meant. Does that mean one night? LOL

HatchetHaven

A fortnight is 2 weeks. Do you have a quarantine tank? I really advise it for adding new fish, especially from not so good sources like Petco (Deathco), Petsmart (Deadsmart) or Wal-Mart (Dead-Mart).

scorpiogirl

No, I don't have a qtank. What type of pet shop should I purchase them from? I was going to get them from Petsmart.

HatchetHaven

Well, Petsmart doesn't have the best quality fish in the world - and you can give your fish the best head start you can by buying them from a good pet store with nice tanks. The secret it to look around and find out where looks good!

A QT tank is a very good idea, there are a few posts in the Betta section (Including a sticky) on the subject.

scorpiogirl

I have to step out now, going to church. Thanks for the help and I will get back with you later. I'm sure I'll have more questions.