Help with inherited tank!

[FCLymond]

So here's the deal:

A co-worker recently left our company, and left his three gallon Eclipse tank behind (I talked him out of flushing the fish down the toilet...)

The tank was a disaster--hadn't been cleaned in over eight months, just water changes. It had four rasboras in it. The water was like a green milkshake.

I bought a new Eclipse three gallon, filled it with RO water and new gravel, but took two of the decorations from the old tank and put them in the new one. After getting the water the right temp, I moved the four rasboras to the new tank.

(I know, I should have let the new tank cycle first, but I was feeling pretty bad for those rasboras in that cesspool.)

Well, the rasboras lasted about 36 hours in the new tank, and all four died.

My question is this -- now that I've removed the dead fish, should I just let the new tank sit and cycle? Will it, based on the ammonia provided by the fish before they died and the bacteria from the decorations? Or should I strip the tank clean and start over?

I really want to avoid killing more fish here. Appreciate any advice you guys might have.

(BTW, I'm now thinking of eventually keeping either a mated pair of swordtails in the tank, or a small school of neon tetras. Advice on that?)

FCL

[WolfPup522]

I inherited my first tank, as well - only it was a 29 gallon. It was also a cesspool, but I slowly brought it to the healthy thriving tank it is today, with water changes, algae control (cleaning it), vaccuums, and a new filter (definately a test of my patience). Since you're past that point, I would let the the new tank sit and cycle. Make sure all the water parameters are healthy and stable before adding anything to it.

I don't know anything about swordtails, but I wouldn't put neons in it. IMO, it's not enough room for them. I would recommend a betta, paradise fish, or african dwarf frogs. I have the frogs in my 2.5 mini-bow and they seem to love it.

[PumaWard]

Swordtails most likely won't be happy, they really like to swim and the male would chase the female litterally to death and then some. I would go with something like a trio of guppies (1 male, 2 females) or maybe a dwarf gourami, paradise fish, or betta.

[kveeti]

Originally posted by FCLymond
should I just let the new tank sit and cycle? Will it, based on the ammonia provided by the fish before they died and the bacteria from the decorations?

Yes, let it cycle but it can't just sit. The ammonia and bacteria that were left will start things off nicely, but you have to continue to add an ammonia source to keep it going. Your best bet is to get some pure ammonia and a couple of test kits - ammonia and nitrIte.

[WolfPup522]

Yes, let it cycle but it can't just sit.

kveeti - Excellent point that I wasn't even thinking about (duh!). I was actually referring to not adding fish yet - just kinda assumed about cycling knowledge. I'm glad you elaborated!