Maybe moving too fast?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Karen, I am new to this website and the aquarium hobby. I got a 10 gallon starter kit from a local pet store and had it going about a month with 4 neon tetras and 3 guppies (?orange). I decided it was too small and purchased a 29 gallon tank. I set it up with the gravel from the small tank and about half the water, I refilled the small tank. then let the large tank  run 2 days before adding the rest of the gravel and the fish and half the water again. Did I move too fast. One more question, I would like a/some very colorful fish that are fun to watch, any suggestions on either front. Thank you in advance for your time.

Jim

ANSWER: Hi Jim,
You probably are OK where you are at now. Just monitor your neons and guppies behavior for any stress symptoms (breathing heavy, clamped fins, pale color, listless behavior) cause there is always that possibility of ammonia issues. But I don't think it'll be too much of an issue. Ideally it would be best if you could test your water for ammonia and nitrites before adding anymore fish to it. Likely it hasn't cycled yet even with the used gravel put in.

For colorful fish... Platies are pretty great as far as activity level and colors go. Swordtails as well. Livebearers are among the brightest colored fish.

Barbs like Cherry, rosy, gold, and tiger barbs also pack a lot of color and their bold and active temperaments make for interesting schooling fish too.

Well, I hope this helps and best of luck!
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am not sure what you mean about the tank "cycling", and will I know when this happens?

Answer
Ok, Sorry. I wasn't sure whether or not you were familiar with that.

Cycling just means establishing the important bacteria in your tank that control ammonia being produced by the fish and keep your water quality good. Without them our fish would not survive long in our aquariums.

First- bacteria convert fish wastes (ammonia) into "nitrite". Both Ammonia and nitrite can be very toxic to fish. But later, more bacteria develop to convert the nitrite into harmless nitrate. And that is how the bacteria's job works. Nitrate is only toxic in high concentrations and is kept in check by your regular maintenance water changes.

The best and easiest way to know when your tank -is- 'cycling' is when you use simple test kits for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. An ammonia spike is common with newly setup tanks. Until the bacteria develop, the ammonia may rise and lower and after several days, nitrite will develop. And it may rise and lower. Several days or perhaps a couple of weeks later, nitrate will show up and the other two levels will begin to drop somewhat. Eventually the ammonia and nitrite levels will drop to ZERO consistently and nitrate will be built-up. Whenever this happens, your tank has cycled and it will no longer be such a worry towards your tank in terms of water quality issues. All that's needed is water changes to keep the nitrate level in check. Ideally below 20 is best.

I hope this helps and sorry about the confusion!
Karen~