Setting up a 5gal tank

how long should I let the water sit before adding my fish? I have used a little of the Aquasafe - it helps make the water more stable.

I have four 1 gallon tanks, 2 of those are my two bettas that will be staying in their own tanks. But in the first 2 tanks I have 2 baby mollies, a snail, and 4 tetras. (I recently had two of my corydora catfish killed by an aggressive male mollie that I'll be taking back to the store, and getting 2 new catfish.)

• I've had all of these fish (except the mollies) for almost a year now and they've always been fine in their one gallons.

• I don't have any aquarium test kit to check water levels and such, but I will be getting one.

So really, just how long should I let the tap water filter out? I've had the tank lid open for one night now.
- I've always let the one gallons filter for 24 hours until adding the fish in so the water would be fine, but now it's 5 gallons, should I wait longer?

 

You will have to properly cycle the tank first before you put any fish in, and I'm afraid 1 gallon, or 5 gallon tanks are not big enough for tetras or mollies, just bettas

 

You will have to properly cycle the tank first before you put any fish in, and I'm afraid 1 gallon, or 5 gallon tanks are not big enough for tetras or mollies, just bettas

Hm, we've always kept fish like that. I'm not trying to breed them or anything, and since I felt their 1 gallons tanks are getting crowded I bought the 5 gallon.

Edit: they're all only 1-2 inch fish.

 

Um, no they aren't, the reason why the Molly is that small is because it's growth is stunted

 

Um, no they aren't, the reason why the Molly is that small is because it's growth is stunted

Um, yeah but they're dalmation mollies and their max size will get to 4 inches, and by then I could have them in their own tanks or give them to one of my other fish loving friends if they get "too big" for the new tank. plus they're still babies

You're not even helping with what I'm asking

 

Okay. You don't let the water sit. You do through a special proccess calle dthe nitrogen cycle in which you grow bacteria that breaks down fish waste

 

Okay. You don't let the water sit. You do through a special proccess calle dthe nitrogen cycle in which you grow bacteria that breaks down fish waste

I'm sorry. I've always been told that tap water is very harmful for fish because of the metals and chlorine in it from being straight out the sink :;alien

 

To get harmful chemicals such as chlorine should take 24-48 hours, but before you put fish in there you have to cycle the tank first

 

You said you have Aquasafe, use that to neutralize chlorine, etc. Setting tap water out will remove the chlorine, but will not remove heavy metals and such.

Honestly if your fish are being stunted they will never look to big for whatever tank...because they aren't growing lol.

 

Welcome to FishLore Gowlie!!

You are correct, using straight tap water is harmful.
You must use a water conditioner.

What fishy friend2 is trying to explain is the process called the nitrogen cycle.
This process can take up to a month (give or take).

Here's a basic explanation of the nitrogen cycle:
First the ammonia (from fish waste and left over food) will rise.

In a few weeks bacteria will start to develop, the nitrite levels rise and the ammonia levels start to drop.

After a few more weeks a different kind of bacteria begins to develop, the nitrate levels rise and the nitrite levels drop.

Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish.
So until the cycle is complete and enough bacteria develops to process the toxins, keep the levels down with 50% daily water changes.

If your pH differs greatly from tap to tank 2 25% changes a day would be safer.

Using Prime as your water conditioner will detox the ammonia for 24 hrs between water changes.
When the readings are 0 on both ammonia and nitrites with some nitrates showing, the cycle is done.

This article explains it in more depth:
The Nitrogen Cycle

Most of us prefer to cycle without fish to avoid harming them.
This is a good thread to read about how to cycle without fish:
Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling

I'm sorry. We know you asked a simple question but in all honesty the answer is not so simple.
Please read the links and do some research.

I hope this post doesn't overwhelm you.
That was not my intention

Good luck!

To fishy friend 2...welcome to Fishlore to you also!
Letting the water sit will dissipate chlorine however, many water companies use chloramine.
That takes months to dissipate heavy metals will not.
A good water conditioner must be used.

 

Thanks for explaining the cycle lucy! I suck at explaining things like those so I wouldnt have been a help at all

 

HI Gowlie, Welcome to FishLore!

Keeping fish is a lot different than most people think. The reason it is so different than most people think is because fish stores give out horrible advice. It works out for the fish store because then they can sell you $50 worth of chamical and medicines to treat you sick $3 fish. And the only reason it's sick is because proper advice wasn't given.

The analogy to keeping fish in too small of a tank would be similar to keeping a puppy in a small box. But for some reason, people don't view fish they same way they view dogs or cats.

But as your fish's keeper, it is really your responsibilty to care for it the best you can. So I really hope you don't get annoyed with the people here who are trying to get you to do what's best for your fish. I hope you consider their advice and then do the best you can.

A little side story. Where I get my hair cut, the woman who owns the shop had a bowl with a Betta in it. Everytime I would go there, I would tell her that the betta really needs at least a 2 1/2 gallon heated, filter tank. She never got that thank, but every time I went there, there was a different Betta. Last time I went there the bowl was gone. I guess she finally tired of buying Bettas.

 

Hello!