Getting started

[Cantareadio]

Do I REALLY have to wait 48 hours??

 

[HeatherW]

wait 48 hours for what? think you better go hop onto those stickies and read about fish in and fishLESS cycling. you need to know what you are getting yourself into if you go the fish IN cylcing method. I am currently doing that right now on a 20 gallon tank

 

[Cantareadio]

I meant before I put fish in.

 

[Cantareadio]

It's a small 3 gal for my friend, just guppies and a pleco

 

[HeatherW]

if it is not cycled it doesn't matter how big or small your tank is. you will be doing daily water changes

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Waiting 48 hours isn't cycling a tank. You need an ammonia source. I will post the links to the cycling information. VERY important.
FISHLESS
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html

FISH IN
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html

BEGINNERS GUIDE
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium-186089.html
I suggest you reevaluate the planned stock list. The pleco is probably a common and they grow to 2 feet long. (and no the fish does not simply grow to the size of its tank)