My husband played one of those awful carnival games at our local fair and we won a fish. I told him not to, but now we are the proud owners of a inbred feeder goldfish. As a mother of 3, whose kids have become very attached to "rock and roll Bob" (his name given by the kids) I am going to try my best to ensure his survival.
Yet, the more I read, the more things I see I've done wrong.
I have him in a large tupperware that I did not condition with water conditioner. I had no idea I had to do that, I was just trying to get him some more clean space than the nasty container he was in. (I have changed out the water in the bowls with a little of conditioned water, now that I bought conditioner...)
I went to a pet store and bought a 2.5 gallon tank and a lovely beta fish in case "Rock and Roll Bob" dies. The tank has a divider so the fish can co-habitate. I set it up, conditioned the water, put gravel, decor and now am running the filter. I was about to add the fish till I thought I should do more research.
Then I read about cycling. Now I'm totally overwhelmed!
My questions:
Is it necessary to cycle a small 2.5 gallon tank?
How long will it take to cycle a 2.5 gallon tank?
Can I get the tests necessary to test the water at a major pet supply chain?
MOST IMPORTANT: How do I keep the fish alive while I cycle the tank? They are in smallish containers at this point, I'm worried they will not survive the length of cycling? Do I continually change their water? All the water or some?
Thank you for your help, I'm a total novice and had NO plans to own fish till my husband won this darn fish. I'm liking the idea of fish now and really want to ensure they are happy, healthy little fish.
Any advice for an inexperienced, unexpected fish owner would be very helpful!!! Thanks!!!
Yet, the more I read, the more things I see I've done wrong.
I have him in a large tupperware that I did not condition with water conditioner. I had no idea I had to do that, I was just trying to get him some more clean space than the nasty container he was in. (I have changed out the water in the bowls with a little of conditioned water, now that I bought conditioner...)
I went to a pet store and bought a 2.5 gallon tank and a lovely beta fish in case "Rock and Roll Bob" dies. The tank has a divider so the fish can co-habitate. I set it up, conditioned the water, put gravel, decor and now am running the filter. I was about to add the fish till I thought I should do more research.
Then I read about cycling. Now I'm totally overwhelmed!
My questions:
Is it necessary to cycle a small 2.5 gallon tank?
How long will it take to cycle a 2.5 gallon tank?
Can I get the tests necessary to test the water at a major pet supply chain?
MOST IMPORTANT: How do I keep the fish alive while I cycle the tank? They are in smallish containers at this point, I'm worried they will not survive the length of cycling? Do I continually change their water? All the water or some?
Thank you for your help, I'm a total novice and had NO plans to own fish till my husband won this darn fish. I'm liking the idea of fish now and really want to ensure they are happy, healthy little fish.
Any advice for an inexperienced, unexpected fish owner would be very helpful!!! Thanks!!!