I did not know about needing to Cycle!

I didn’t know about needing to cycle!!!! I just bought a 10 gallon tank with a filter and 5 fish! Rubber Plec, 3 neon tetra and a Gourami they are in there right now and still alive but I don’t know if they’ll stay that way the plec hasn’t moved from the spot he was put in but everyone else is fine, I don’t have testing kits and I used filtered tap water and water conditioner before I put them in what do I do?! I know I have made a poor impulsive decision but I am willing to put in work for the best outcome what do I do

They have been in there for 2 hours now

I also have a live plant and algae wafer in there but the Gourami has begun to snack on the algae water I don’t know if that’s bad but he won’t stop and he isn’t going for the flakes

 

Hey no need to worry! My parents bought my sister a betta for her bday spontaneously so we didn’t have a cycled tank but mine has been with us for a month and a bit now

have a read of this: Do (and How) They Work - API Quick Start VS Tetra SafeStart? | Aquanswers

I would suggest getting some Terra Safe Start Plus (TSS plus) and using that to start the cycle- if you follow instructions correctly, you should be able to cycle your tank in a fortnight!

If you can’t find TSS Plus then you can use API quick start- people have mixed reviews on it but I used it and I started seeing nitrites and nitrates after two days!
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If you matched the pH and temp of the tank of the pet store, they should be fine! Cycling is only related to the waste, so if you can do frequent partial water changes, it should be fine!
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I would suggest getting an API master test of its within your budget so you can keep water parameters stable (ammonia and pH important atm- when the cycle starts nitrites and nitrates)

 

It's early yet. The water should be fine. Pick up a bottle of Tetra Safe Start or API Quick Start (and there are others). Don't do any water changes during the first week. Just follow the instructions on the bottle. You're not the only one who did that! I did, as well! I researched the Rubber pleco though, and it might get to 7 inches, which is awfully big for 10 gallons. Use that as an excuse in the future to buy a great big tank!!!

 

after this week when and how often should I change the water? And THANK YOU so much peace of mind now but I’m still worried hearing stories of people’s fish dying right away

 

after this week when and how often should I change the water? And THANK YOU so much peace of mind now but I’m still worried hearing stories of people’s fish dying right away

Not an expert on fish-in cycles but I believe it's every day changes, either than or every other day.

 

And yeah definitely getting a larger tank soon

Does anyone have an idea about why the plec hasn’t moved?? Is it just shock or something else like he’s getting used to it

 

Provide the rubberlip with a cave or rocks / wood to hide. That fish must be stressed incredibly.

 

Any question just ask here, there are many experienced fish keepers who will guide you through a fish in cycle, follow their advice and your fishes should be fine

 

Noted do I take any precautions with adding a new decoration to the tank or can I just drop it right in after rinsing it?

 

A little stocking advice, your tetra is a schooling fish, so u will want to bump up your stock to at least 6 after cycling. 10 gallons is way too small for your pleco, gourami and 6 tetras, try to upgrade to 30 gallon soon (prob grab a 30 gallon tank when u get the 5 other neons)

 

A little stocking advice, your tetra is a schooling fish, so u will want to bump up your stock to at least 6 after cycling. 10 gallons is way too small for your pleco, gourami and 6 tetras, try to upgrade to 30 gallon soon (prob grab a 30 gallon tank when u get the 5 other neons)

Okay I can do that but how long would I have to get a bigger tank?

 

after this week when and how often should I change the water? And THANK YOU so much peace of mind now but I’m still worried hearing stories of people’s fish dying right away

Hmmm maybe because there was a drastic shock in ph and temperature that caused rapid death. That or overstocking that caused ammonia to spike way above 2 ppm! I would think ammonia poisoning below 2 ppm with a relatively acidic pH (pH below 7) would be a more gradual dying process with inflamed gills and immune system weakening (but I’m not sure haha just trying to soothe your mind about the rapid death stories hahaha)
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As juniperlea said, don’t change the water this week BUT only if you add a bottle of nitrifying bacteria (TSS plus or Quick Start) And please use SeaChem prime daily (as it only works for 24-48 hours) to detoxify ammonia and nitrites! The plants should take care of nitrates!
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I know it’s a lot haha I’ve been watching YouTube videos and reading up on this for the last month!

 

Hmmm maybe because there was a drastic shock in ph and temperature that caused rapid death. That or overstocking that caused ammonia to spike way above 2 ppm! I would think ammonia poisoning below 2 ppm with a relatively acidic pH (pH below 7) would be a more gradual dying process with inflamed gills and immune system weakening (but I’m not sure haha just trying to soothe your mind about the rapid death stories hahaha)
———————————-
As juniperlea said, don’t change the water this week BUT only if you add a bottle of nitrifying bacteria (TSS plus or Quick Start) And please use SeaChem prime daily (as it only works for 24-48 hours) to detoxify ammonia and nitrites! The plants should take care of nitrates!
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I know it’s a lot haha I’ve been watching YouTube videos and reading up on this for the last month!

I’m headed to the store tomorrow because the pet stores are closed for the Tetra safe start plus and maybe for some of the SeaChem and definitely a hiding place for the plec because I gotta see how I am on money right now but thank you haha I really hope this will work out

 

after this week when and how often should I change the water? And THANK YOU so much peace of mind now but I’m still worried hearing stories of people’s fish dying right away

I recently tore down my 75 gallon, re-housed the fish in another tank, cleaned the tank and decor, put in new gravel and filled it back up. I even started out with new filter media/cartridge etc. I put the fish back in after the water temp was correct. Massive bacteria bloom but that was to be expected and I just rode it out. I used a bottle of API Quick Start and a bottle of Microbe-Lift (which I prefer). I didn't do any water changes during the first week, but did about 30 % twice twice a week for the next two weeks. I all took about three weeks. I did lose one tiny half inch fish, but all the rest were fine. I used the API Master Test kit to monitor the water after the first week. The results dictated how often, how much or even if, to do water changes.

Oh yes.... absolutely get the SeaChem Prime. Life-saver!

 

I’m headed to the store tomorrow because the pet stores are closed for the Tetra safe start plus and maybe for some of the SeaChem and definitely a hiding place for the plec because I gotta see how I am on money right now but thank you haha I really hope this will work out

My betta has definitely poked a hole through my wallet ! SeaChem Prime is also a water conditioner so that can save you money as it’s 3-in-1 (chlorine, ammonia and nitrite)

Let us know how it goes

 

I think you're doing great! You know more than I did when I got my first tank! The thing that surprised me that I'd never heard of though, was vacuuming. My face scrunched up on that one! Not only do I have to vacuum my home, but now the tanks demand it as well!! In my mind now though, vacuuming is vital. I get lazy about water changes, and often just vac, then top up. (Don't yell at me folks!)

 

Okay I can do that but how long would I have to get a bigger tank?

Well, as soon as possible would be good

 

If you do upgrade to a larger tank, I just want to put my two pennies in. I have a standard 20 gallon and a long 20g. Hands down, the long is more fun and I've heard that you can put more fish in a long tank. Someone else out there can explain that, I guess. something to do with surface area??? But, I'm not even sure if 20 gallon is big enough for five Rubber plecos. I've read that there are two types of Rubber plecos. One gets to about 4 inches and the other gets to be 7 inches..... It's just what I quickly read online. So, I don't really know.

Plus, bigger tanks are easier to take care of, imo, and they're more fun for you and the fishies!

 

There are more species of Rubberlips but in general the size isn't the diffetence between them.

They need lower temperatures and a decent waterflow. In fact they are hillstreamfish.

Mine appeared mostly carnivorious and hardly eats algae or vegs.

This is the main misconception that kills a lot of these wildcaught fish that are thought to fit.in small tanks cause of their size (they aren't).

Also these fish are not suitable for a fish-inn cycle (no fish is to me but okay).
Cause they live in fast flowing riversystems they are not used to "pollution" of this kind.

Also males are territorial so 5 in a 20G is a no no.

Great personalities but fish with specific needs.

 

Welcome to Fishlore and the wonderful world of aquarium life. You started out just like a lot of us did so don't beat yourself up over your lack of knowledge. None of us started out knowing much about this hobby.

This is how I recommend doing a fish in cycle. There are lots of ways to do it. The best thing you can do is pick one that you are comfortable with doing and stick with it.

The blue words (This) is a link to the article I wrote.

 

Welcome. I’m new to the hobby also. There is a lot to learn. I have had fun reading and learning on here. It’s unfortunate that your LFS didn’t tell you about “the cycle” and suggest fish appropriately sized for the tank you have. Do you have a different fish store you can go to?

 

Maybe I can look around, I am getting TSS plus today and a cave for the little plec for now and any suggestions on that? Can I just drop the cave right in after rinsing?

Is it safe to add the TSS with all of my fish in there??

 

Is it safe to add the TSS with all of my fish in there??

Oh yes. It's full of beneficial bacteria. Some 'germs' are good! I've poured it right into the HOB filters as well as into the tank. And, I usually add much more than it says. As far as the cave, look for something not necessarily large, but maybe more flat for him to snuggle under. Maybe someone else out there has better advice about that. I usually rinse decor under hot water first then place in the tank. They love driftwood. Maybe you can find a small oddball shaped piece for him to hide under as well as to munch on?

 

Maybe I can look around, I am getting TSS plus today and a cave for the little plec for now and any suggestions on that? Can I just drop the cave right in after rinsing?

Is it safe to add the TSS with all of my fish in there??

I used API Quick Start (Buy the biggest bottle your store has). My LFS recommends when adding new fish to add the specified dose right before adding fish and then do half a dose daily for a week. They also said like Juniperlea said that you can't really overdose on it. I am new to fish keeping and my tank is brand new that might be the reason. My tank has only been up for 2 weeks. I added 6 fish last week and 6 fish yesterday. All seem to be doing great.