New Tank Question

Question
Hello Christy
I bought a tank 40hrs ago. (actually started the filter run 40hrs ago approx).
Added 10G of spring water and 10G of tap water.
I added the stress coat + Zyme which comes with the kit.
I do NOT see any cloudyness till now.

Is my tank ready to get fish in?
I am planning to start with about 4 Mollies OR 4 Zebra Danios.

please suggest.

Answer
Hi Kumar
Well, you have 2 options.  You can do a fish cycle or a fishless cycle.  I personally prefer the fishless cycle method, because it's cheaper in the long run, less work, and less stress on the fish.  First, here's a link to read, has an article on there on how a fish tank cycles:

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/startupcycle/Step_5_The_Cycle.htm

This is important to understand so you know what's going on in the fish tank.  I'd also suggest buying your own test kit, one that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.  The liquid dropper kits are better then the dipstick kinds.

To do a fishless cycle, get some cocktail or salad shrimp.  Put it in a mesh filter media bag(available at the pet store, usually in the filter media section) or a pair of nylons/pantyhose with the leg/foot area cut off.  Knot the top, and toss it in the tank and let it rot.  Top off any water that evaporates during this time, but do not do any water changes.  This will produce ammonia-thus starting the cycle process.  When your ammonia and nitrites read 0 ppm, and there's nitrates showing, your tank is cycled.  Remove the shrimp, do a water change to get the nitrates under 20 ppm, and slowly add a few fish at a time, over the course of a week or two.

To do a cycle with fish, just add the fish, and monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels-because these are toxic to the fish.  You'll need to do daily water changes so the fish have a better chance of surviving.  This will prolong the cycle process a bit as well.  Again, when the ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm and some nitrates are present, the tank is cycled.  It generally takes about 4-8 weeks for the cycle to complete.  Mollies and zebra danios are somewhat hardy fish, and one of the better choices to use to cycle the tank.  But, if any die off, you need to replace them so the ammonia source is still in the tank, allowing the tank to continue to cycle-hence why I mentioned it was cheaper to use the fishless cycling method.

Hope that helps and good luck with your new tank!  IF you have anymore questions, please ask!

Christy