HELP! With new tank!

[nikkinothing]

I'm new to the hobby and new to this site. I found my old tank in my basement, so i put it together and i went to the local pet store and bought a few fish. Its freshwater and i need a few pointers on how to take care of it. Can someone aim me in the right direction?

 

[fcamargo6thave]

The guys here are mostly saltwater but i have owned many FW tanks before the first thing you should have done is cycled your tank for 4 -6 weeks and then add fish can you please tell us what kind of fish are they?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

First as with any tank you need to start the tank and let it cycle. Once the cycle is complete then you can add fish.

What size tank?

Can you return the fish? Nothing should be living in an un-cycled tank.

 

[nikkinothing]

what do you mean cycle my tank for 4-6 weeks?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Not 4-6 weeks but until the nitrogen cycle is complete. Good things are worth waiting for. And a successful tank is a good thing.

 

[nikkinothing]

its a 30 gallon freshwater tank, whisper filter, and a heater. No one at the local pet shop told me about cycling my tank. why wouldnt they tell me?

 

[nikkinothing]

nitrogen cycle?????

 

[anthony27]

to make money off of you

 

[fcamargo6thave]

Not 4-6 weeks but until the nitrogen cycle is complete. Good things are worth waiting for. And a successful tank is a good thing.

i just gave him an estimate of what he can expect to wait, and go buy yourself a test kit for testing ammonia. nitrite, nitrate and ph. just to ask did u add anything to take the chlorine out of the water??

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

http://pet-information.peteducation.com/search?w=nitrogen+cycle&x=0&y=0

Above is a nice reference link.

 

[nikkinothing]

i have well water so no chlorine, and its she!! can someone explain, what am i supposed to do with the fish i bought and my tank.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16+2249&aid=2391

Here is a great step by step.

 

[nikkinothing]

Thanks chief!!! i'll look at it but what am, i supposed to do now? are my fish gonna die?

 

[UnknownWaters]

Why would a Lfs not inform a customer on how to maintain an aquarium?

 

[nikkinothing]

I was thinking the same thing! its making me upset. the fish i bought are really nice. i don't want them to die.

 

[albano]

I'm new to the hobby and new to this site. I found my old tank in my basement,

Perhaps the LFS figured, that someone, setting up their old tank, HAD some experience!




/

 

[nikkinothing]

It was my older sisters tank and when she moved out she left the tank for me. I didnt tell the LFS it was an old tank. they didnt tell me anything. i even said i was new to the fish tank world.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Where is this store?

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

your fish will probably be fine most freshwater fish are very hardy..did you put the water from the pet store in your tank? Did you atleast acclimate the fish? It's not necessary to cycle a fw tank but it is recommended. I never used to cycle mine because I did not know otherwise and my fish lived.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

what kind of fish? I bet cichlids they are the only pretty freshwater fish