I wouldn't. Most tetras are pretty sensitive to water quality and need an established tank.
Sorry I meant to add "in two days."
I suggest reading the sticky and doing a fishless cycle. It's your best option.
Tetra tank set up...now what?
- Thread starter LaRues Lady
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I wouldn't. Most tetras are pretty sensitive to water quality and need an established tank.
Sorry I meant to add "in two days."
I suggest reading the sticky and doing a fishless cycle. It's your best option.
I've read the cycling thread several times but I'm not really familiar with some of the terms and techniques mentioned in it. So, once I add the ammonia will I need to treat the water or let it cycle itself out to normal levels?
I think I've read somewhere where some people use fish food to cycle with. I have some of that here (it came with the tank), so could I start with that until I get to the store to get some ammonia?
I think I've read somewhere where some people use fish food to cycle with. I have some of that here (it came with the tank), so could I start with that until I get to the store to get some ammonia?
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I've been using a liquid test for the pH and strips for the rest. I can't find any liquid tests around here for nitrites, nitrates... The ph for the strips and liquid tests have been the same though.
Get yourself a TESTMASTER kit - it has all the liquid test's you'll likely need in there and only costs £20 in the UK (probably cheaper on-line).
Try to keep your ammonia at 4 ppm (parts per million) until the bacteria get to work and your test kit reads 0 ppm Ammonia (keep adding it until the cycle if finished).
Once your Ammonia AND Nitrite tests read 0 ppm then you have finished your cycle and can do a water change (do not do any before this time).
Lastly add some ammonia to keep the bacteria alive until the time you put your fish in then sit back and enjoy
Try to keep your ammonia at 4 ppm (parts per million) until the bacteria get to work and your test kit reads 0 ppm Ammonia (keep adding it until the cycle if finished).
Once your Ammonia AND Nitrite tests read 0 ppm then you have finished your cycle and can do a water change (do not do any before this time).
Lastly add some ammonia to keep the bacteria alive until the time you put your fish in then sit back and enjoy
Thanks! I'll be sure to look for those tonight! I have another silly question, but I just want to make sure I'm doing this right!
Once I add my ammonia and the tank cycles through I do a water change because the ammonia in the water will kill the fish? The ammonia is only used to trigger the cycle and create the good bacteria so the the water is at optimum conditions for the fish to live in? I know it may sound like a "duh" question to you all, but I really think I'm starting to catch on to what I should be doing to have a productive tank!
If this is wrong, please let me know so that everything goes smoothly for the fish! Thanks again!!!
Once I add my ammonia and the tank cycles through I do a water change because the ammonia in the water will kill the fish? The ammonia is only used to trigger the cycle and create the good bacteria so the the water is at optimum conditions for the fish to live in? I know it may sound like a "duh" question to you all, but I really think I'm starting to catch on to what I should be doing to have a productive tank!
If this is wrong, please let me know so that everything goes smoothly for the fish! Thanks again!!!
Once you are cycled, ammonia will be converted almost instantly so there shouldn't be any readings unless you don't change the water regularly. You should have 0 ammonia and nitrite but pretty high nitrates once the cycle is finished. So you will need to do a water change to bring that nitrate level down to a safe level.
