Good First Fish

Great_White_North · 09-06-2006, 09:38 PM

I am planning on using Danios to cycle my tank but after a couple month I want to expand. Which breeds should I invest in. I want somethign that will be comfortable in a community setting but not necesarily a schooling fish. What kind of cleaner fish should I buy? A Cory Cat? Sorry about all the questions I just want to be successful.

mmh123 · 09-06-2006, 10:00 PM

well as far as cleaner fish I think a pleco might be the way to go because they are compatiable with more fish. For what other fish you should get it depends in what size tank you have. So...what size tank do you have?

ahill3780 · 09-06-2006, 10:01 PM

Welcome to the forum!

I'm not an expert of freshwater fish but its been my experience that the Danios in my brothers tank tended to pester the guppies from time to time. A lot of the folks around here have some experience with them and can provide better advice.

I personally would advise against using a fish to cycle, but I understand the urge to see something in the tank. The only thing I would suggest if you proceed with a fish cycle is that you keep a spare 10 gallon around empty except with water to move him into if he starts showing signs of distress.

Preserving the balance of your tank is the most important thing here and cycling is an important stage for your tanks life cycle. It should be fine to keep a hardy fish in the tank during this process, but I stress the word fish (singular). Putting too many fish in to begin is only asking for trouble and dooming the fish.

You will do well if you have patience and take things in moderation. We're here to help so don't be afraid to ask a 'stupid' question. There are no stupid questions for a beginner, just remember that. (and everyone else too!

)

Aaron

Hepcat021 · 09-07-2006, 01:43 AM

Do the fishless cycle. It is the more humane way for the fish you wish to add. Keep in mind that the fish and ecosystems "health" is your main concern, not your entertainment. Still I am a hippocrate I guess.

BILL

Great_White_North · 09-07-2006, 09:43 PM

I read about cycling without fish but I didn't really understand it very well. Are you guys saying that just adding pure amonia into the tank wil start it for me? If so where do I buy it and how much $ are we talking. Lastly how come the people at my fish store never mentioned it. The clerk says he always cycled his tanks with fish.

ahill3780 · 09-07-2006, 09:54 PM

I have never used pure ammonia to initiate a cycle before but the idea is sound. Someone can likely tell you how much this will run you.

You can use a fish to cycle a tank, and sadly most people do, but the mortality rates for these "starter" fish is disgustingly high. It is just inhumane to subject the fish to this toxic environment. The only necessary function in the beginning is to introduce ammonia to the tank so that the beneficial bacterial colonies will have a foodsource to fuel their growth.

You can achieve this goal faster, cheaper, easier, and more humane without using a fish. The choice is totally up to you and no one will bad mouth you one way or the other, it is simply my, and others' conscientious opinions that it should not be done. It's great eye-candy in the beginning, but bad husbandry ethics.

The LFS will almost always tell you to do something that is detrimental to your tank in the beginning because it is good for business. If your fish die and the tank does not fare well in the beginning then you will come back to them for advice and they can sell you something else. It's not that they have it out against you, its just the way business works.

Thats why its always a good idea to talk with people who are in the hobby who keep tanks of their own. Not only can they provide you with essential knowledge, but their only interest is to give good solid information and advice, not make a profit off of you. You're more likely to get a good reasonable answer from someone who wants you to learn the right way first than you are from someone who wants you to learn the hard way.

HTH,
Aaron

Loman · 09-07-2006, 10:35 PM

I believe Jay mentioned cycling with a few drops of ammonia in a separate thread. If you go that route, I believe it can be normal ammonia you purchase as a household cleaner (just get straight ammonia though). As I understand it the decaying process produces ammonia. So I would suggest simply throwing in some fish food which will decay and generate the needed ammonia to get thinks started.