Just got a new fish tank w/ filter..

[Syringer]

After the advice heeded here I decided to head to Petco and make the plunge..

How long before I can put my fish in then with the new water? I didn't buy any water conditioner because I didn't realize I needed it..my friend said without a filter the water should be good to go in about 24 hours, but what if I have one?

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: Syringer
After the advice heeded [l=here]http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1730009[
] I decided to head to Petco and make the plunge..

How long before I can put my fish in then with the new water? I didn't buy any water conditioner because I didn't realize I needed it..my friend said without a filter the water should be good to go in about 24 hours, but what if I have one?

fix your link, I'm too lazy to C+P

 

[teh 3v1L]

freshwater tanks are hella easier to manage than saltwater (used to have a 45 gal salt tank)..but still, you can't just throw your fish in. you have to acclimate them to the diff water temp in the tank (vs the bag they're in straight from the store)..also, if you're setting up the tank for the first time, a filter helps speed things up, but water conditioner helps too..you have to wait for levels (pH, etc..) to stabilize, otherwise your fish can go into shock and you'll just be moving them straight to the toilet bowl.

 

[Pepsei]

is there a breed of fish call spiderfish? seriously...

 

[Howard]

I would let the water stabilize for longer than 24 hours.

You also need to get the biological system started. You can do it without fish; add small amounts of ammonium chloride daily. This simulates the production of ammonia by fish waste, which is required for ammonia-consuming bacteria to grow. The ammonia is converted to nitrite (which is a chemical that a different type of bacteria is needed to eliminate). Nitrite is then converted to nitrate, which is relatively harmless.

If you have a nitrite testing kit, test daily after a week until the reading stays 0 (with ammonium chloride still being added). Then it's safe to put the fish in.

You MUST have an operating filter for this to work.

EDIT: Ammonia in non-zero concentration is dangerous to fish, nitrite slightly less so.

 

[FoBoT]

if you want to play it safe, wait 6 weeks

but 99% of people can't wait, so just throw in one fish, and it might live

 

[Shame]

Whenever I start a new tank, I just fill it up with the water and brown crap from the bottom from my 110 gallon tank. Got a buddy with a tank? If so, borrow water.

 

[Captante]

I've been keeping fish for years & currently have two tanks, a 29gal freshwater tank with various non-aggro tropical fish & a 45gal briny tank with several large aggressive fish... I used to go nuts changing water every two weeks & testing all the time, but now all I do is vacum out the crap on the bottom & a 25% water change every 6-8 months & I find I see fewer deaths this way... oh & of course I change the filter media.
The first 3 months are the hardest part of keeping a fish tank because the natural bacteria hasn't begun to reproduce & thats when your fish will be at the most risk..if you have a buddy with an established tank you can try that, but you run the risk of parasite contamination, you can also buy live cultures of bacteria & add them to your tank to "jumpstart" the natural filter action they provide without the risk of contamination but it takes longer.

 

[Syringer]

It's a 2-gallon tank, is it really necsssary to waiwt that long?

 

[Captante]

Nah... 24 hours should be fine, install the filter & leave it running that whole time & when you add the fish, put the plastic bag in the tank for about an hour before you dump them in.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

I've started several 10gal fresh water tanks.

add water conditioner as you fill the tank (per instructions of the conditioner....adding 1-2 drops more if you have hard water in your area). then rinse the carbon filter in the sink for a few minutes, put in the filled up tank, start it, let it run 10-15min with the bagged fish floating in the tank to equalize the water temperature slowly enough not to give them shock. after about 30min. you're good to go.

with the exception of neons, I've never had a fish die from anything that being eaten by more aggressive fish or old age.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

There's a product out there called Biospira that is probably still on backorder, last time I checked. It helps speed up the biological buildup necessary for a thriving aquarium. "Cycling" the fish tank is very important. You can do a fishless cycle or one with a fish. If you choose to cycle with a fish, then make sure you pick a hardy fish, one that will survive the cycling process.

Please refer to these link link2 for more information. Needless to say I was in a hurry and couldnt stand watching an empty fish tank for 3 weeks. I threw my fishes in there after 2 weeks and they've been fine ever since. I have 8 african cichlids and I love them!

 

[bleeb]

I'd say put only one fish in and see how things go. =) that should get the biological factors started... oh wait like a day or two before you put the test subject in. the chlorine from tap water should evaporate out fairly soon

 

[aolj]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
is there a breed of fish call spiderfish? seriously...

Spiderfish

 

[Cook1]

Fish tanks are teh fun

 

[Vegito]

nice.. fish are fun.. too bad i dont have enough time.. gets expensive.. i just have a little gold fish at home now..