Newbie Help

[NormaCarts]

Hello All!!!

I am sure you read so many posts if this nature and sit there rolling your eyes so apologies if I cause you to do this hehe!!

Now then, I have a 54litre tank it is new and have had it running for a week. It is heated to 80 degrees and remains at a stable temperature.

Firstly my water has gone slightly cloudy but I have read this is normal and it will right itself over time?

I was advised by my local supplier to start with tetra's which after much reading and research, I know is not the best choice.

I always wanted tetra's and a siamese fighter fish as my tank buddies, possibly also a couple of little guppy's (I dont know the actual breed of the ones i have seen so sorry for my ignorance)

So basically, I was going to collect my Betta tonight and leave him on his own for a couple of weeks before adding the tetra's - is this the right thing to do? Or coudl I possibly get a couple of tetra's today also?

Again I am so sorry if I have annoyed anybody I know what it is like when newbie's join a forum you are experienced with - its infuriating!

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

Haha it's ok! I tank needs to run for 4-8 weeks generally before it is fully cycled, or untill ammonia and nitrite are at zero. If you have a low ph and soft water, go for the tetras, but in my experience, try can be quite delicate. What you are telling me is that you are wanting to do a fish in cycle, which requires water changes every other day because if toxic ammonia levels. I would just buy the Betta later and then after that add some dwarf corydoras or a snail or some shrimp. It is better to be under stocked than overstocked. Good luck!

[NormaCarts]

So if i do the water changes every other day it is ok for me to go ahead with my Betta?

What do I add to the new water when I do my water changes before adding it to the tank to replace the water removed? Just a dechlorinator as normal?

[KevinPham123]

Hi,

I would recommend to not get any fish until your tank is fully cycled.

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

just add dechlorinator. I think you should REALLLLLYY wait though for the tank to cycle first..

[NormaCarts]

Ok no worries, so around 6-8 weeks in total would you say?

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

4 weeks minimum 8 weeks total maximum

[Laki]

I don't think there is anything wrong with fish-in cycle as long as changes are kept up on. And the cycle fish are going to be wanted and kept afterwards. Because of the possibility of poisoning, a lot of people doing a fish-in cycle get a fish they don't necessarily want afterwards (goldfish or some tetras).
I settled my tank and let it run with plants for 3 days before adding my bettas for a fish-in. Granted, my tank is only 5 gallons...

[NormaCarts]

It is so confusing reading so many site's, so many conflicts of opinion, some say a tank needs a fish to cycle properly, by keeping it empty isnt letting it cycle correctly, granted they say to have a hardy fish or 2 to cycle then wait 4-6 weeks before adding your next fish, I think its so hard as every water quality will differ and every filter is different too - its such a risky thing isnt it getting fish as the last thing i want is to harm an animal being a vegetarian animal lover

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

Originally Posted by NormaCarts

It is so confusing reading so many site's, so many conflicts of opinion, some say a tank needs a fish to cycle properly, by keeping it empty isnt letting it cycle correctly, granted they say to have a hardy fish or 2 to cycle then wait 4-6 weeks before adding your next fish, I think its so hard as every water quality will differ and every filter is different too - its such a risky thing isnt it getting fish as the last thing i want is to harm an animal being a vegetarian animal lover

haha yep it is complicated!

Some people on inexpeirenced sites, reccomend do do a fish-in cycle, but it can be dangerous and could hurt poor innocent fish.