15 gal 10 gal setup

[DKiM128]

I just acquired some fish tanks. They are non-cycled so I'm prepared to do water changes daily. It uses a undergravel filter and a powerhead. I don't have any other filters, and I don't know how to use a heater, So, I need help fast. There are convicts in them and plecos. Please give me help in what I need to do. Also, my convict likes to lurk at the bottom, is there something I can put or do, to make them go up, or is there any small fishes I can use for that?

[ChilDawg]

You'll need bigger tanks for even individuals of the fish that you mention.

[DKiM128]

I do have bigger tanks setting up right now, 3, 55 gallons, but I want to cycle these in fishless cycles. I don't want to add fishes in them until they are completely stable. I was wondering about the filtration system I would need for my 15 and 10 gallon tanks.

[anonapersona]

Let me understand this, you have big tanks and little tanks and you have fish that you will eventually have in the big tanks and you'd like the big tanks to be perfect before you put the fish in and so you will keep the fish in the uncycled little tanks until the big tanks are perfect???

I suggest that you look at this from the perspective of the fish. From their point of view, they are going to have to endure a cycling tank somewhere. Now it could be a big tank or it could be a little tank. Which do you think they'd prefer?

Or, why don't you just be a real dear and spring for BioSpira and put them into the big tank right away, fully cycled?

[DKiM128]

Basically, The big tanks are ready for anything I'm preparing their stands and the decoration. It going to take some time...The convicts came from the same tanks, which I bought from someone else. So I'm keeping them in that tank, while I prepare my big tanks.

[TKOS]

What you are looking of is dither fish that will make the convicts act mor elike convicts. But you really can't add this type of fish in those small tanks. When you get the convicts into the bigger tank then you might be able to think of that.

For now buy some heaters (2) and all you do is stick them into the water, plug them in and turn them on. With a cheaper heater it is important that you also buy a thermometer (these are cheap) and try to slowly bring the heat to the mid 70's F.

Also it is important that you buy a test kit for ammonia and nitrites. You will need these anyway to cycle the big tanks. Test almost everyday in those small tanks as plecos and convicts will produce a lot of waste and must have clean water. So you might end up doing a wtaer change almost every day.

Get some biospira if you can. It will instanly cycle the tanks if used correctly and is the only product to do that. Other cycling products no matter what the LFS says do nothing.