Newbie Alert! put fish into a brand new tank

hello fish keepers!

i am new to this forum and new to fish keeping. i was gifted a betta and a 1.5 gallon ez care plus tank. the tank seemed fine and he was happy the first few days (i think....). i thought he deserved better and i decided to get him some tank mates along with a brand new marina 10g tank. with the tank i have the s15 marina filter, heater, organic substrate, a live plant and some deco. his tank mates are 2 cory catfish, 3 harlequin rasboras and a otocinclus. when i went to the pet store i asked them to help guide me to giving him a happy life and tank mates he would get along with, and so far everyone is coexisting no issue.

here my issue.....

being new to fish keeping i had no idea that the tank should be cycled without fish. some places ive read 48 hours and others 3-6 weeks. none the less i didnt have that luxury and wish i had that knowledge at the pet store so i didnt harm the fish.

my question is, is there any hope to continue this cycle without harming the fish? this is day 2 with the tank and i have to do my second day with nutrafin cycle but im worried with the fish in there it will kill them. i unfortunately learned the hard way and will do better on my next setup but really need guidance from experienced fish keepers to help me get through my current situation.

thank you in advance, id say no rude comments but i can take it as long as in the end the fish are happy and healthy

 

hello fish keepers!

i am new to this forum and new to fish keeping. i was gifted a betta and a 1.5 gallon ez care plus tank. the tank seemed fine and he was happy the first few days (i think....). i thought he deserved better and i decided to get him some tank mates along with a brand new marina 10g tank. with the tank i have the s15 marina filter, heater, organic substrate, a live plant and some deco. his tank mates are 2 cory catfish, 3 harlequin rasboras and a otocinclus. when i went to the pet store i asked them to help guide me to giving him a happy life and tank mates he would get along with, and so far everyone is coexisting no issue.

here my issue.....

being new to fish keeping i had no idea that the tank should be cycled without fish. some places ive read 48 hours and others 3-6 weeks. none the less i didnt have that luxury and wish i had that knowledge at the pet store so i didnt harm the fish.

my question is, is there any hope to continue this cycle without harming the fish? this is day 2 with the tank and i have to do my second day with nutrafin cycle but im worried with the fish in there it will kill them. i unfortunately learned the hard way and will do better on my next setup but really need guidance from experienced fish keepers to help me get through my current situation.

thank you in advance, id say no rude comments but i can take it as long as in the end the fish are happy and healthy

A lot going on, but let’s start here. . . Do you have a reliable water test kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? Maybe pH?

And what water conditioner/dechlorinator are you using?

And yes, there’s hope! But it’ll require some work and time.

 

A lot going on, but let’s start here. . . Do you have a reliable water test kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? Maybe pH?

i have a ph test kit. i unfortunately live in the middle of nowhere (moved for work) and dont live near a pet store. closest in 2 hours away.

 

i have a ph test kit. i unfortunately live in the middle of nowhere (moved for work) and dont live near a pet store. closest in 2 hours away.

pH is a (small) start. I’d suggest you make the trip to get an API Master Test kit (or order one online).

Read this. . .
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Because you’re doing a fish-in cycle, testing your water parameters daily is important. Water changes (maybe daily depending on your test results) are also important.

Have you done water changes and are you comfortable doing them? What water conditioner are you using?

 

pH is a (small) start. I’d suggest you make the trip to get an API Master Test kit (or order one online).

Read this. . .
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Because your doing a fish-in cycle, testing your water parameters daily is important. Water changes (maybe daily depending on your test results) are also important.

Have you done water changes and are you comfortable doing them?

im literally watching the fish and im anxious thinking im harming them ****. ive never done a water change (hasnt been 24 hours yet) i have never done a water change so hard to say if im comfortable doing them but i will do as much as i can to make these guys happy. ontop of the fish i have 2 great danes and a tabby cat, so i love my animals lol just need guidance

 

im literally watching the fish and im anxious thinking im harming them ****. ive never done a water change (hasnt been 24 hours yet) i have never done a water change so hard to say if im comfortable doing them but i will do as much as i can to make these guys happy. ontop of the fish i have 2 great danes and a tabby cat, so i love my animals lol just need guidance

Deep breaths and relax! What I’m about to suggest will soon be second nature to you.

Until you get a full test kit, I’d suggest daily 50% water changes (I still don’t know what water conditioner you’re using ). I’d suggest using Seachem Prime, but any dechlorinator will work for now.

Remove half the water from the tank. Before adding new/fresh water to the tank, be sure to add a dechlorinator in the recommended dose and temperature match the water you’re adding to the tank water temperature.

Make sense?

 

You can order a full API test kit on amazon that will have tests for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. Ammonia and Nitrite are harmful for the fish and are caused by their waste. You need to test to see the levels. You can also buy a gravel vaccum to make water changes easier. Youll also need water conditioner if you dont already.

Test the Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate daily and do a 20% water change to keep them low. Youll know when its cycled when there is 0 ammonia and nitrite and you will want to have some Nitrate to know its cycled. Nitrate isnt harmful to fish unless its over 40.

 

Test the Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate daily and do a 20% water change to keep them low.

For a fish-in cycle, water changes need to be done based on test results. A pre-determined percentage may or may not work.

 

Deep breaths and relax! What I’m about to suggest will soon be second nature to you.

Until you get a full test kit, I’d suggest daily 50% water changes (I still don’t know what water conditioner you’re using ). I’d suggest using Seachem Prime, but any dechlorinator will work for now.

Remove half the water from the tank. Before adding new/fresh water to the tank, be sure to add a dechlorinator in the recommended dose and temperature match the water you’re adding to the tank water temperature.

Make sense?

so sorry didnt see you ask, im using nutrafin aqua plus. i just added a 6in1 test kit, substrate cleaner and willing to add stuff to the cart to make these little guys happy. im also using nutrafin cycle which has a 3 day cycle dosing schedule. if i do the 50% water change do i still continue with the dosing schedule? do i add more aquaplus ? sorry for all the questions lol

 

so sorry didnt see you ask, im using nutrafin aqua plus. i just added a 6in1 test kit, substrate cleaner and willing to add stuff to the cart to make these little guys happy. im also using nutrafin cycle which has a 3 day cycle dosing schedule. if i do the 50% water change do i still continue with the dosing schedule? do i add more aquaplus ? sorry for all the questions lol

If the 6 in 1 is test strips, I’d really suggest replacing it in your cart with the API Master Test kit. Test strips can be unreliable, especially for a fish-in cycle IMO.

Nutrafin AquaPlus is a dechlorinator. . . So yes, you need to add it with each water change.

I’m guessing the Nutrafin Cycle is a bottled bacteria. Continuing to dose it is fine.

What is the substrate cleaner you put in your cart? I like spending other people’s money, but let’s be sure about what you’re buying.

 

If the 6 in 1 is test strips, I’d really suggest replacing it in your cart with the API Master Test kit. Test strips can be unreliable.

Nutrafin AquaPlus is a dechlorinator. . . So yes, you need to add it with each water change.

I’m guessing the Nutrafin Cycle is a bottled bacteria. Continuing to dose it is fine.

not sure if its available in canada as im only seeing reef test kits and saltwater. they (API) have nitrate and ammonia test kits sold seperately.

 

not sure if its available in canada as im only seeing reef test kits and saltwater. they (API) have nitrate and ammonia test kits sold seperately.

Any liquid test kits similar to API? Sorry, I didn’t realize you were north of the border.

Edit to add. . . https://www.amazon.ca/API-FRESHWATER-800-Test-Freshwater-Aquarium/dp/B000255NCI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1GYFGXTJMB3FX&dchild=1&keywords=api+freshwater+master+test+kit&qid=1635979716&sprefix=API+,aps,228&sr=8-3

Says it wouldn’t ship for 2 - 4 weeks?

Here’s one in stock?
API Freshwater Master Test Kit by API : Amazon.ca: Pet Supplies

 

Any liquid test kits similar to API? Sorry, I didn’t realize you were north of the border.

Edit to add. . . https://www.amazon.ca/API-FRESHWATER-800-Test-Freshwater-Aquarium/dp/B000255NCI/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1GYFGXTJMB3FX&dchild=1&keywords=api+freshwater+master+test+kit&qid=1635979716&sprefix=API+,aps,228&sr=8-3

Says it wouldn’t ship for 2 - 4 weeks?

seems that i cant find any that arent strips 2-4 weeks seems way too long to wait. these babies need help faster than that lol. im a chef so i rarely get time off to go into town but i may have to see if a pet store has liquid test kits. should i atleast get the nitrate and ammonia test kits by API or wait and get a whole master kit? also im going to do the water change fingers crossed. any tips pointers so i dont disturb my new friends

 

seems that i cant find any that arent strips 2-4 weeks seems way too long to wait. these babies need help faster than that lol. im a chef so i rarely get time off to go into town but i may have to see if a pet store has liquid test kits. should i atleast get the nitrate and ammonia test kits by API or wait and get a whole master kit? also im going to do the water change fingers crossed. any tips pointers so i dont disturb my new friends

Did you see the second Amazon link I posted above? You’ll need the nitrite test before nitrates, so I’d wait to see if you can get all of them. If you can’t, the ammonia test is immediately important (if you can get just that quick) followed by the nitrite test in a week or 2.

Tips for water change. . . Leave the fish in the tank, use dechlorinator and temperature match the water as close as possible.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. If I didn’t already suggest this, I’d replace your current water conditioner with Seachem Prime if you can get it. Prime will help protect your fish until the tank cycles.

P.S. What does your test say your pH level is?

 

Did you see the second Amazon link I posted above? You’ll need the nitrite test before nitrates, so I’d wait to see if you can get all of them. If you can’t, the ammonia test is immediately important (if you can get just that quick) followed by the nitrite test in a week or 2.

Tips for water change. . . Leave the fish in the tank, use dechlorinator and temperature match the water as close as possible.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. If I didn’t already suggest this, I’d replace your current water conditioner with Seachem Prime if you can get it. Prime will help protect your fish until the tank cycles.

P.S. What does your test say your pH level is?

first water change was..... succesful! ordering my kits that i can right now! my ph is at 7.1. my cory cats are swimming frantically though, new water i presume.

 

first water change was..... succesful! ordering my kits that i can right now! my ph is at 7.1. my cory cats are swimming frantically though, new water i presume.

Awesome! You were able to temperature match the water?

pH should be ok for cycling, but I’d test it again if you’re able to get a liquid test.

Keep this thread updated, keep an eye on your fish and come back here with questions. And keep up with water changes!

 

I did my best to temp match. Used my instant read thermometer from work to check 78’ F. I will check back in once I have my test kits and update as I go

 

Awesome! You were able to temperature match the water?

pH should be ok for cycling, but I’d test it again if you’re able to get a liquid test.

Keep this thread updated, keep an eye on your fish and come back here with questions. And keep up with water changes!

So I got the API freshwater master kit. Nitrite is at 0ppm, Ph is 7.4(added driftwood today) nitrate 0ppm

 

So I got the API freshwater master kit. Nitrite is at 0ppm, Ph is 7.4(added driftwood today) nitrate 0ppm

Since this is only day 3 or 4 of your tank running, I wouldn’t expect to see nitrite or nitrate.

Did you test for ammonia?

 

Since this is only day 3 or 4 of your tank running, I wouldn’t expect to see nitrite or nitrate.

Did you test for ammonia?

Yea, 0ppm

 

Yea, 0ppm

Your tank is small, but also seems pretty lightly stocked. I can only see the Betta and a couple Rasboras in the picture?

The fish are still doing ok? Do you plan to stock anything more in this tank?

 

I have 3 rasboras, 2 Cory cats, betta and one oto. I’d love to add more but didn’t think I could.

Your tank is small, but also seems pretty lightly stocked. I can only see the Betta and a couple Rasboras in the picture?

The fish are still doing ok? Do you plan to stock anything more in this tank?

I have 3 rasboras, 2 Cory cats, betta and one oto. I’d love to add more but didn’t think I could.

 

I have 3 rasboras, 2 Cory cats, betta and one oto. I’d love to add more but didn’t think I could.

I have 3 rasboras, 2 Cory cats, betta and one oto. I’d love to add more but didn’t think I could.

I’ve never kept Bettas, but I’d suggest you research appropriate tank mates. I’ll tag some Betta keepers.
StarGirl Rose of Sharon BigManAquatics

About adding stock. . . I’d continue to monitor your ammonia level for at least a few more days before thinking about adding anything. And give the Betta keepers some time to weigh in.

 

So far from what I’ve researched the tank mates seem suitable. Rasboras are behaving and are schooling or shoaling pardon my lack of knowledge. Cory are interesting I actually really love them. I’d really love to add some tetras but idk if I can

 

The rasboras and corys should be ok. I would be really careful with tetras. Some of them are agressive fin nippers and they can do some damage to a betta's fins. As always, with bettas it will completely depend on his/her agression level, too.

Adding a betta as a last fish added is always better than starting off with a betta and then adding others to the tank. Once he/she gets used to the tank, then the whole thing becomes his/her territory, and that means trouble for new fish, usually.

 

In regards to tank mates you can never say anything for sure. I have heard reports of people keeping 2 males together! Then again so can’t even put a snail in the tank without the betta attacking it. Definitely not suggesting anyone try 2 males, horrible idea. But if he has been fine so far, adding rad or as and Cory cats slowly, like maybe 2 at a time, is probably your best bet. Once you get your cycle established of course. I think adding some live plants would be a good idea, they help reduce some of the nasties from your cycle, fish poop is just plant food! Also it will help having cover and hiding places, that reduces the fish’s stress and will help with adding more fish in with the betta, once cycled.

 

I’ve never kept Bettas, but I’d suggest you research appropriate tank mates. I’ll tag some Betta keepers.
StarGirl Rose of Sharon BigManAquatics

About adding stock. . . I’d continue to monitor your ammonia level for at least a few more days before thinking about adding anything. And give the Betta keepers some time to weigh in.

If he isnt attacking the little fish he should be ok. Just keep an eye out though.

 

If he isnt attacking the little fish he should be ok. Just keep an eye out though.

Yep....I always tell folks that Bettas decide their own tank mates or if they want any at all. All you are doing is giving them options lol.

 

so i just got home from work and found a rasbora had passed im new to this so i cant tell why. levels are the same as yesterday and the betta doesnt seem bothered. hard to say

 

i hate to update this thread with sad news but i found spike (betta) passed away im currently testing my lvels again and they read as follow

ph: 7.2
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate:0ppm
ammonia: 0.25

i have live plants, lots of hiding places and only feed once a day. im in week 2 of cycle and check my levels as much as i can. my temp is also at a 78 F

please can anyone help me out?

my local pet shop has been great help but i havent really seen them this week and could use some extra pointers. i was doing 50% water changes but they requested i stop doing that which i did after the first couple of days.

 

Right now you are getting into the time where nitrites will start showing up. Water changes will not affect your cycle so when amounts get higher do not be afraid to change water. Try to keep ammonia under .50 and nitrites under .50 with water changes.

Do you have Prime? That will help keep the fish safe with small amounts of ammonia and nitrites.

 

Right now you are getting into the time where nitrites will start showing up. Water changes will not affect your cycle so when amounts get higher do not be afraid to change water. Try to keep ammonia under .50 and nitrites under .50 with water changes.

Do you have Prime? That will help keep the fish safe with small amounts of ammonia and nitrites.

im not sure what prime is? i have the nutra fin cycle and nutrafin aqua+

 

im not sure what prime is? i have the nutra fin cycle and nutrafin aqua+

It is Dechlorinator. It will help with the ammonia and nitrites where the Nutrafin+ will just remove chlorine. Are you able to get it where you are?