[JBosley]

Hello,
So I recently got a used tank from a friend. A 5 gal Fluval Chi I washed it and the accessories thoroughly using hot water and vinegar, and got new pads for the filter! I set it all up, put in the recommended amount of tetra aqua safe tablets and the recommended about of tetra start zyme tablets. How long should I leave it running before I put Dragonfly in there?

I also have paper test strips, could NOT find liquid test kit, nor do I REALLY have the money for one Will this be okay?

Usually I just use water conditioner in his Kritter Keeper and he has no filter in his Kritter Keeper. Will the filter push him around too much? :-(

 

[vilmarisv]

I believe the filters on the chis are not too strong, I've never heard of someone having an issue.

It's ok if you don't have the kit, you only need them if you plant to cycle the tank. Even then, you can take your water to Petco and they will test it for free.
If you're not cycling the tank, you can place the fish there right away. Of course, since you're using tablets you should wait until they are dissolved. I like leaving my water overnight before I use it but it's not necessary, it just prevents smaller issues which a lot of people don't bother with (I'm a little paranoid about my water).

Post pics of you're setup when your fishie is all settled!

 

[JBosley]

I believe the filters on the chis are not too strong, I've never heard of someone having an issue.

It's ok if you don't have the kit, you only need them if you plant to cycle the tank. Even then, you can take your water to Petco and they will test it for free.
If you're not cycling the tank, you can place the fish there right away. Of course, since you're using tablets you should wait until they are dissolved. I like leaving my water overnight before I use it but it's not necessary, it just prevents smaller issues which a lot of people don't bother with (I'm a little paranoid about my water).

Post pics of you're setup when your fishie is all settled!

Thanks! :-D I feel better now. No live plants here! I'm a plant killer, haha. I'll probably leave the water until tomorrow, it's already been running since yesterday, but I just added the water stuff today! I will definitely post pictures. I hope to get some more fake plants and create a little forrest for him! My sister has a Chi as well, and it seems like her fish has to constantly be swimming around or the filter pulls him around a bit... is this ok?

 

[Geomancer]

Cycling a tank takes 2-8 weeks, average around 4 weeks. You need an ammonia source though for the bacteria to form. A brand new filter by itself doesn't do much except mechanical filtration, which is the removal of floating particles in the water. After the weeks go by and the cycle is completed the filter pad will be colonized with bacteria and will perform the biological filtration necessary to deal with Ammonia and Nitrite.

Here is a good guide on it, along with ways to do it without using fish. http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...inners-guide-freshwater-aquarium-cycle-38617/

You can do a fish-in cycle, which would be what has already been discussed. Just know you'll have to do more frequent water changes to keep the Ammonia and Nitrite levels as low as possible. A reading over 0 ppm for both is 'bad', there is no safe amount of either.

 

[JBosley]

Thanks! I'll look into that... I've never cycled before. Usually just put in the water conditioner, let it run for a day or 2 and put the fish in

My water is REALLY cloudy this morning, is that normal?

 

[kfryman]

That's good though. It means that some bacteria is starting to colonize

 

[JBosley]

That's good though. It means that some bacteria is starting to colonize

I was hoping thats all it was! :-D How long until it will clear up? Im anxious to put Dragonfly in there haha. I'll test the water once it's cleared up!

 

[Geomancer]

Careful, cloudy water IS a sign of a bacterial bloom, but not of beneficial bacteria. It isn't harmful to fish, but does not mean your tank is on the way to being cycled. It usually clears within a week.

Beneficial bacteria will not form without an ammonia source, even if you leave a tank running for two months the cycle will not even have started. Ammonia is the food for the bacteria, without it the bacteria starves and dies.

If you are not going to cycle before putting the fish in, there is no reason to wait other than to ensure the heater is keeping the correct temperature. Just know you will need to do frequent water changes for the next two months until that cycle establishes. A liquid test kit is ideal for this, most recommend the API Master Test Kit.

 

[JBosley]

Careful, cloudy water IS a sign of a bacterial bloom, but not of beneficial bacteria. It isn't harmful to fish, but does not mean your tank is on the way to being cycled. It usually clears within a week.

Beneficial bacteria will not form without an ammonia source, even if you leave a tank running for two months the cycle will not even have started. Ammonia is the food for the bacteria, without it the bacteria starves and dies.

If you are not going to cycle before putting the fish in, there is no reason to wait other than to ensure the heater is keeping the correct temperature. Just know you will need to do frequent water changes for the next two months until that cycle establishes. A liquid test kit is ideal for this, most recommend the API Master Test Kit.

I still think I'll wait until it clears up a bit I had the filter off last night, so it is clearing up a bit now that it's on. Thanks for the information! It is VERY helpful, I will make sure to do more water changes for the first 2 months.

 

[JBosley]

So I decided to do a 25% water change, which really helped the tank clear up! It is still cloudy, but not nearly as bad. I decided to put Dragonfly in and he is doing well :-D

His poor dorsal and caudal fins are all ripped up! I'm not sure if he was tail biting, or what happened. So I put in some Melafix, which I love! I have used it in the past and it has worked amazingly I am hoping since he's in a larger tank, with more stuff and more space his fins will heal and he will be happier.

Pictures to come!

 

[JBosley]

Here are some pictures! It's still cloudy *grumbles* Sorry they aren't the best! Will try to get better ones tomorrow during the day ;-)

 

[Bombalurina]

I would be very careful of Melafix. It is made using eucalypt oil, which can seriously irritate a betta's labyrinth organ. I have heard of deaths caused by Melafix. If you want to use it, get it's much diluted cousin, Bettafix, and if anything, underdose. Personally, I wouldn't use it at all. It is simply a herbal extract and I honestly think you will acheive the same results with clean, warm water.
My first rescue betta, Apollo, came to me in a one litre jar with no heat and dirty water, and within a few days (even after I got him into a 20 litre tank with warm, clean water) his tail fell off. There were mere centimetres left. I got it back by raising the temperature to 82F and doing daily water changes. I used Bettafix for a week during that healing period and saw no difference at all.

Your tank looks lovely - I adore Chis and I'm very jealous!

 

[JBosley]

I would be very careful of Melafix. It is made using eucalypt oil, which can seriously irritate a betta's labyrinth organ. I have heard of deaths caused by Melafix. If you want to use it, get it's much diluted cousin, Bettafix, and if anything, underdose. Personally, I wouldn't use it at all. It is simply a herbal extract and I honestly think you will acheive the same results with clean, warm water.
My first rescue betta, Apollo, came to me in a one litre jar with no heat and dirty water, and within a few days (even after I got him into a 20 litre tank with warm, clean water) his tail fell off. There were mere centimetres left. I got it back by raising the temperature to 82F and doing daily water changes. I used Bettafix for a week during that healing period and saw no difference at all.

Your tank looks lovely - I adore Chis and I'm very jealous!

Gah! Alrighty, I will change another 25% of the water and hope to get most of it out :-(

Thanks! I'm actually finding it a pain haha I should have gotten something smaller. I'm having issues with it being cloudy, and now there is white flecks on the rocks at the bottom :evil: I think it's from the water tablets I used! So frustrating.

 

[JBosley]

I just did another 25% (give or take) water change! The tank appears much cleaner now, and the smell of the Melafix is gone. So hopefully I got most of it out, or it is now diluted enough to not cause any/much damage to Dragonfly! :-?

Dragonfly is doing great! He is much more active in this tank than he was in his Kritter Keeper And he is eating.

 

[JBosley]

Whoo! Got him a new plant today :-D Making somewhat of a forest in the corner for him, heh heh.

And found the tank I want to get when I get a second fish! Man Petsmart is so much cheaper than the LFS.... they sell little glass tanks (no lids though) for under 20$.