Anyone keep tropical fish ?

The guy's collecting my tank on Saturday but doesn't want the fish. If any one wants them. Free to good home. Trouble is I can't post them & you need to collect & live reasonably near.

 

I would have taken them Chris but Essex to Swansea is a bit of a jaunt for a couple of guppies.

 

I know the tap safe doesn't start the cycle.

Looking to add half a dozen of hardys to start with. I'll keep you posted how they do.

 

there is a product called "Cycle" available which you can add into the filter and is supposed to help kick start the breakdown of waste product. I would seek advice from the fish shop but I've never had any issues using it in my external fluval.

Stinks like s**t though

 

First of all, I've heard bad things about those instant cycle in a bottle products. It's been a while, but I remember them having some sort of stability issues, causing water quality fluctuations later.
In any case, all you need is some dirty filter medium from a healthy established tank like your daughter's. Honestly, if you'd just used some of her old carbon or something in your filter along with your fresh medium you would have no need to cycle. The beneficial bacteria from her tank will grow and spread very quickly in your filter.
Next, I would avoid goldfish. Unless you really love them, they are just not worth the trouble. They are quite filthy and hog up much more filtration than other fish would need. For example, you could probably have a swordfish, a pair of guppies and 3 neon tetras for the same amount of filtration.
Speaking of guppies, they are good starter fish. Like the Pansy, they have an incorrect reputation of being fragile.
Guppies can handle massive fluctuations in water temperature and quality, which is what you will be having until you get settled. Plus it's fun to watch them breed.
Once you're all established, you might want to try angelfish. Like other cichlids, they lay eggs. It's very entertaining to see them lay eggs, care for them and then care for the fry. (whereas guppies, mollies, and other live bearers will just pop them out and immediately try to eat them.) But unlike other cichlids, angels are peaceful, non-aggressive fish. Of course if you're breeding them I guess it wouldn't matter, since they usually wont breed with other types of fish in the tank anyway.

 

I've never had success with the instant cycle things just the good old fashioned putting a bit of fish food in to rot down us a few small hardy fish to get I going.

There was a quicker way of cycling a tank using neat ammonia which works but can't find the bit about it.

 

What hasn't been mentioned is if you know someone with a tank you can use there scrappings from their filter to help to start your cycling. Get them to rinse out a bit of their filer sponge in some tank water and add to your filter of if they have a big filter talk nicely to them to get them to renew a bit of their filter wool/ sponge.

This is what I did when I added a second big filter to my tank I used some sponge and scrapings from my other filter.

Found the fish less one here
http://www.algone.com/aquarium-articles/technical-aquarium-information/fishless-cycling

 

Thanks for all the info guys.

So this tank she has given me was running for about 18 months with no problems at all. Had same gravel in it do maybe it already has some of the good bacteria in already. Not sure if she changed all the filters or not to be honest. I will ask.

 

You should neaver change all of the filter media in one go that will be your good bacteria lost. Small bits at a time likewise when cleaning the filter neaver all in one go.

 

That's what my daughter told me.

Thanks rusty

 

Seeing as I lost my goldfish I have swapped to tropical. I had 3 danios in there which don't mind the increase in temperature. Picked up 3 Platies today as well. Going to get a live plant next week to liven things up as I've only had fake plants in. Just be aware that cycling a tank with live fish will be stressful for them and will shorten their lives. Another tip is to clean you filter (if it's foam) in the water you have just drained from the tank when cleaning. Helps preserves the bacteria.