Aquarium cycling?

HI there. New to the forum. I have recently purchased four neon tetras. I purchased them from PetSmart. At first I had them in a four gallon Ball Jar with a filter, air, plastic-plants and light stone bottom, which looked nice, but was inappropriate for my new little buddies. Yesterday afternoon I purchased a ten gallon tank with filter, heater, air stone, plastic-plants and black gravel (messy stuff). I let the aquarium run all evening and overnight until the water looked clear and most of the bubbles were gone off of all the surfaces. I added dechlorinator per the instructions. Late this morning I put my tetras in the tank. They were less than enthused. I am planning on getting more tetras (is it ok to get four more glow-light tetras, or should I stick with neons) as well as a tiny bottom feeder. I found this forum when looking for tetra care (yes, I know I should have done this FIRST). Many posts say to put the tetras in a tank that has been fully cycled. I have been having difficulty finding a definition for that. How do you cycle a tank and is it too late to do anything for my buddies in their new digs? Also, the tank has a fluorescent light. Is that ok? And should I turn on the light only when the room is dark, or does it have to be on all day. I can get one of those timed controllers if I must.
Now that I have committed to these little guys, I want to do my best by them. Hoping it is not too little too late.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you much!

 

welcome to fishlore!

they aquarium nitrgen cycle is when ammonia is created by the fish, and are turned into nitites, and then nitrates, which is much less toxic for your fish. we don't recommend cycling with fish, but many people do it, you just have to keep up the water changes, and this is going to take longer then without fish. make sure you don't add any more fish until the tank is cycled, and I would recoment buying an API Freshwater Master Test Kit. Make sure u do at least 25% weekly water changes until the tank is cycled.

more people will chime in with there thoughts soon!

 

This should give you most of the info you'll need.
https://www.fishlore.com/Articles/TheNitrogenCycle.htm

 

Thank you both. My neons are doing well, except being a little spooky with there only being four of them. We are looking forward to getting more in hopes of calming them down a little.
Thanks again

 

The neons, based on my experience, are very good in indicating wrong water param. like amonia. If you see them changing color, breathing fast or going close to surface or not schooling then test the water or just change some water. The neons are also very sensitive to water quality. If you buy the tester for ammonia and nitrites you can keep a close eye on your new tank and be safe from trouble. At 0.25 ammonia my neons already react .... but I have very neurotic ones.