New tank

[Boglem]

Upgraded my 20 gal tank to a 55. Used the same rocks and 5 gal of old water and the rest was new water. I set it up last weds 1-9 and plan on putting my fish in Monday 1-14. Is this long enough to let the water get ready?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Long enough?? The little bit of bacteria you put in it probably starved to death. If it was me is add fish slowly

 

[Boglem]

I only have 2 fish to add right now and they are only about 1" in size if that

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I only have 2 fish to add right now and they are only about 1" in size if that

The bacteria needs an ammonia source to grow. Without one you could lose it all. Id add the 2 you have and if water tests good add a couple more and so on and so on. If the water starts to test ammonia over .25 then you.need to do a water change.

Read threw this it will help you probably more than anything
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium/

 

[Boglem]

Thanks for the help I'm still pretty novice at this. Any help is appreciated

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Thanks for the help I'm still pretty novice at this. Any help is appreciated

Ok doing what I recommended above would be called a fish in cycle. You could do a fishless cycle but then it could be a couple months before you get to add fish. Witch to me is a no go but for you it may be something to look into.

The reason you cycle an aquarium is to build bacteria in the tank and in the filters. That bacteria controls your ammonia and nitrite levels in your tank. Those levels if present can be deadly to fish. So by cycling the tank the bacteria changes ammonia to nitrite then to nitrates. Nitrates are removed by doing weekly water changes. It is also the reason to use a good water.test kit like the api master test kit.

Here is some more reading material. If it was me and just learning I would read all of the links I posted and even take a look at the article section after these to see if there is anything else you may like

I just learned about cycling now what
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/i-just-learned-about-cycling-but-i-already-have-fish-what-now/

Fish in cycles
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/fishin-cycling-step-dark-side/

Fishless cycle
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling/

I hope this all helps

 

[Boglem]

Thanks!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Thanks!

No problem ask away if ya have any questions