How long do I have to wait to put freshwater fish in my 10 gallon aquarium?

Question

So here is the deal: Yesterday I bought an aquarium, I have a filter and everything, it was all fine and dandy. I had no fish in there, I was doing the thing where I let it sit for the habitat to form or whatever. About five hours later, I go check on it, and there is a giant crack and the water is leaking out. Ugh. So I clean it up, put the rocks in a trash bag, and today I bought a new one. Do I need to let it sit again, or can I buy fish right now? The aquarium is fine, I have a new filter, a lamp/heater, rocks, artificial plants, and all of the correct chemicals.

Answer 1

no im sure its ok...i usually dont let my tank sit before putting my fish in it. if u add any chemicals though then let it sit for like 30 mins to an hour but u dont need to wait 5 hours

Answer 2

ya sorry to say but the best thing is to let it sit for 48 hours to let bacteria start growing for the fish..i have two 20 gallon tanks trust me i have been there wanting to go and get fish right away..dont do it they could die on ya..good luck

Answer 3

honestly letting it sit does nothing beyond making sure the filter works and the heater works.

when you add fish, they p**p. the p**p builds up in the water and can be toxic, except in an established aquarium there are bacteria to break down the toxins so they won't kill the fish. when you have a new aquarium there are no bacteria, so when you add fish it's very dangerous for the fish. so, I highly recommend you do a fishless cycle before adding fish... learn more here:

http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/FishlessCyc...

anyway, if you don't feel like waiting for the tank to cycle, yes, you can add your fish now. just be prepared to lose a few along the way.

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live bacteria drops mean nothing unless they're refrigerated before and after you get them. even then the bacteria is usually dead by the time you get it.

Answer 4

I just bought a 30 gallon aquarium 3 days ago.  Its best to let the water age for about 24hrs.  When you put the fish in, get some zebra danios and a single betta if you want.  These fish are the only ones strong enough to stand the nitrogen cycle the tank goes through.  The unused fish food and urine create ammonia and the bacteria needs to grow to break down ammonia into nitrite.  Another bacteria grows to break down nitrite into nitrate, which is harmless.  This takes about a month, or you can speed up this process into about a week by buying the bacteria from the store.  The tank needs to go through this cycle before you add any nice fish.  The ammonia or nitrite can actually eat the gills off of the fish if they are not hardy enough.  They would probably end up dying if you add them too soon.  I bought 6 zebra danios and a blue betta and they are doing great!

Answer 5

You should let it sit there for a week to a week and a half before adding any fish whatsoever.

Answer 6

well, test it wait till tomorrow and add fish, doe max 3 at a time(never stated size of aquarium) until you meet what you want. stick to the 1 gall per MAX size of the fish u bought, rather you be safe than sorry.

Answer 7

It takes time for it to cycle or you could easily end up with new tank syndrome.  Adding a cycling booster will help if you are in a rush.  But the tank should cycle for at least 48 hours before any fish are added.  Don't forget your declorinator when filling it.

when you do get fish, get 2-3 to start the ammonia, nitrate, nitrite cycle.  If ytou add too many at once your perameters will spike, and likely kill your fish.  Take it slowly, your patience will be rewarded.

I strongly suggest getting ph, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite testers (drops, as paper test stripes aren't the best).  do checks every other day for the first 4 weeks.  

Best of luck.