How Long Does It Take For Tank To Mature?

So how long will it take a 40 gallon (36"long 18"wide and 17"tall in inches) to mature so I can add rams?

 

It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks, to a couple of months....Depends on a lot of things!

 

To cycle or be well established?

It usually takes 4-8 weeks to cycle. After cycling I would wait at least 3 months for it to become well established before adding rams.

 

A complete cycle can take 5-7 weeks. It all depends upon your cycling method, how you keep after it, etc...

 

Thank you this is all very helpful and also I can not add any fish till the 1st cycle is done or how does that work? Can bottom fish go in before the cycle is done or schooling fish like bleeding hearts or should I just wait before adding anything in? Lol sorry for the questions but I want to get this right so I don't lose that many or hopefully no fish at all. Thank you

 

Don't add fish until the cycle is complete. Do you know how to cycle a tank?

 

Thank you this is all very helpful and also I can not add any fish till the 1st cycle is done or how does that work? Can bottom fish go in before the cycle is done or schooling fish like bleeding hearts or should I just wait before adding anything in? Lol sorry for the questions but I want to get this right so I don't lose that many or hopefully no fish at all. Thank you

Wait until your cycle is complete before adding any fish or invertebrate.
If you add them before the cycle is complete you run the risk of killing them by poisoning them with high ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels. Some people do do fish-in cycles, but it's not recommended for the health of the fish and you have to do much more frequent/larger water changes

 

fjh I've always cycled with Zebra Danios. They can handle the chemical changes. But you are correct, you do have to be diligent with your water changes.

 

fjh I've always cycled with Zebra Danios. They can handle the chemical changes. But you are correct, you do have to be diligent with your water changes.

Of course it is always possible, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is new to the hobby.

 

Don't put in any fish or invertebrates until the tank is definitely fully cycled.
I would definitely recommend a fishless cycle over a fish in cycle, especially for a beginner.

Also just curious why you said 1st cycle? You only need to cycle the filter once.

fjh I've always cycled with Zebra Danios. They can handle the chemical changes. But you are correct, you do have to be diligent with your water changes.

Maybe my zebra danios were just weak but one of my tanks went through a minI cycle and no fish died (platies, guppies, WCMM) apart from the zebra danios.