ScoobyQue
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I have done a lot of looking and was wondering. I just started a fishless cycle in a 16 gallon octagon tank, and was talking to people, both at the LFS and PetCo/PetSmart. I'd imagine that the tanks at the LFS have all the bacteria and whatnot needed to keep fish happy, however at the other 2 stores, they mentioned that the water there was pretty much "sterile" (I put in in quotes because I work in a sterile room working with IV's everyday [IV technician here] and laugh at the fact that someone can make that statement). I wondered if i get fish from the "sterile" sites, if it would be a total shock to their systems and become something that may hurt them with all the bacteria already existing in their soon-to-be new home. Sorry if this seems a little bit elementary, but this is my first attempt at starting a tank, and I value the opinions and respect the knowledge I've found here at AA. Thanks