Two Fish Questions in 1...?

Question

A) How many gallons would a fish tank be if it was 5' x 2' x 2'?

B) Do I HAVE to cycle a new tank?

Answer 1

1) fill it and count as you go so you remember for next time

2)you dont HAVE to, but if you dont your fish will die from the nitrate that becomes introduced

Answer 2

a 0.0134199403 US gallons if it is in inches

b yes

Answer 3

The poster above is right, your tank cycle no matter what.  But depending on what kind of tank you want (saltwater vs freshwater) the cycling would be different.

If you are into saltwater, you can buy cured live rocks and live sand. Run it with a protein skimmer. Depending on how good your live rock,etc. Your tank could cycle in less than a week or 2.

I am not sure about freshwater.

Answer 4

A) That's about 150 gallons.

B) The tank will cycle whether you want it to or not, it's just a matter of whether you do it before or after you get fish.  If you want to save money and care at all for your fish, I'd strongly recommend cycling before adding fish, or at least obtaining some live media (gravel, filter floss, ceramic rings, etc.) from an established tank.  This will seed the new tank with bacteria, allowing the fish to avoid such toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite.  You will still have to monitor those levels closely, though.