Tips
For Adding Fish To Your New Aquarium
Fish That Are Good
to Start With
Good starter fish include neon's, white clouds, Cory cats, platys, other
small size and inexpensive tetras. The main thing to remember is that
you need to be patient; the tank won't always look so empty! Make sure
to get the water tested before adding more fish. Blue Sierra Exotic Fish
& Supply provides free water testing as a service to our customers.
Fish That Are Best
Left Until The Tank is Cycled
Clown loaches, Bala sharks, gouramis, frogs, any scaleless fish such as
knives and catfish (excluding the bony catfishes like corydoras) and any
fish that are expensive are best left out of the tank until it is cycled.
It is not uncommon to lose a fish when cycling an aquarium. Bring a water
sample in if the fish are behaving differently; not eating, swimming along
the surface gulping air, fins not clear or deteriorating, rapid breathing,
or hiding all the time.
Our Guarantee
Blue Sierra Exotics Fish & Suppply offers a guarantee on our fish
for 10 days if under $10.00 and 3 days if over $10.00. However, if you
lose a fish while the tank is cycling, it is out of our control and we
can't replace the fish. Be sure to bring a separate water sample and the
fish in another baggie.
Cycling The Tank
Be sure to purchase Cycle or Bio-spira with a new tank so you will have
something to do while the tank is cycling. It takes only a month or so
for this process, so take it slow and be patient. A few plants are okay
in a newer system (with adequate lighting). It takes an average of 6 weeks
for the bacteria to become established that break down the fish waste.
It begins as soon as you add the recommended first fish. If you add more
fish while it is cycling, they may die. Be sure to bring a water sample
next time you come in and we will test it for free and let you know if
you can add any fish to the tank. It will take at least a month or two,
but you are welcome to bring water in any time, especially if you are
concerned about how the fish are acting. You will need to change about
20 percent of the water once a month and we can show you the products
you need to clean your tank. It's really easy and should only take a few
minutes. You don't have to do anything other than unplug your heater.
The last step is to siphon the tank.
You’ll find
everything you need in our on-line store or stop
into our Issaquah, Washington store.
Next, follow these
Ten Easy Steps to Successful Freshwater Aquarium
Installation to get your tank setup and ready for fish.
[Ten
Easy Steps to a Successful Aquarium Installation] [Getting
Started Checklist]
[Tips for Choosing Fresh Water Fish]
[New Tank Water Change Schedule]
|
