My Iradescent shark

Question
ok thanks. What does it mean for the water to be cycled?
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Followup To

Question -
My Iradescent shark is very solitary and anti social.... I also had a bala shark in this 2.5 gallon tank. they are relatively small but the iradescent shark was a bit bigger than the bala. I came home today and the bala was dead. When i fed the fish this morninng it seemed the iradescent shark was eating all the food so i kept putting in food (tropical flakes) so that the bala coud eat. and when i was confortable with the balas food intake i stopped.. I didnt put too much in thogh (didnt wan to cloud the water). So i took it back to walmat and got another iradescent shark. This one is lively while the older one is not. CAn you tell me why this is?  i also have a "Smallworld Pump & filter kit" which only filters harmful gases odors and discolorations. shoud i have gotten a diffrent filter that Suctions the water rather than this submersible version? Did i do any thing else wrong with my fish care?

Answer -
Dear Dayvon,
The first problem here is that your aquarium is very small and it is very likely not cycled or established the beneficial bacterial colonies that are so vital for all aquariums to stay healthy longterm. All aquariums must be cycled before it can be fully stocked with fish. This is because without these special bacteria, ammonia from fish waste builds up to very toxic levels especially in such a small aquarium. Cycling means allowing these special bacteria to slowly establish by first providing a food source in the form of ammonia. There is both fish cycling and fishless cycling. If you need anymore information on this, feel free to let me know.

I'm not sure why the first Iridescent shark wasn't very social it could have been anything. As a rule, smaller fish tend to be much more active than the larger ones of the same species.

Your filter won't be sufficient for the fish you are currently keeping and the minimum aquarium size for Iridescent sharks would be at least a 50gal and even larger as they grow. These are very large fish that grow up to 18 inches and some have grown even larger. An aquarium of over a hundred gallons would eventually be needed. And Bala sharks grow large too. Up to 12" or 1 foot in many cases. They are active swimming and schooling fish and should have at least a 50gal as well and preferably something along the lines of a 75gal or larger.

I'm not trying to say you did anything bad. But just know that your current fish selections were very poor for the size aquarium you currently have.

The best fish I have found for something like a 2.5gal aquarium is the beautiful Betta or Siamese fighting fish. These are great little fish that each one has it's individual personalities and they respond well to their owners. Their beautiful colors and ease of care make them perfect for beginning aquarists as well. But they also have specific care that cannot be ignored in order for them to thrive their best.

A warm temperature is best for them at least a reasonably consistant 78-82F temperature, clean water always including a cycled tank, and a good healthy diet is essential for them to be healthy longterm.

I really hope this helps!
Best wishes,
Karen~

Answer
Dear Dayvon, Cycling is quite simple, once you understand it.

Cycling means to slowly allow special beneficial bacteria to grow in your aquarium and establish a large colony. This is essential to do in all newly setup aquariums because without these bacteria. Ammonia from fish waste will build up to dangerous levels and is very toxic to fish. Establishing or cycling your tank for these bacteria means first providing a food source for the bacteria (ammonia) either by a few 'cycling' fish or fishless cycling. Fishless cycling is much better as it is much more humane as it does not subject any living creature to harmful ammonia or nitrite levels. And includes adding a piece of frozen salad shrimp or something similar that decomposes and that provides the ammonia source. If you would like to know more about fishless cycling, please visit here-
"www.fishtanksandponds.info/setting-up/cycling/fishless_cycling.htm"

First the beneficial bacteria remove and convert ammonia into nitrite and then later more bacteria convert the nitrite into nitrate which is the end product of bacteria's work. Nitrate is the least toxic and safest of all three and is removed by your weekly/twice weekly water changes.

Test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are very good to have during cycling an aquarium. As then you can moniter where you are in cycling. And it is very good to keep track of these levels especially if aquatic life is present. Most aquariums cycle within 4-6 weeks but it just depends upon the individual aquarium. Patience is everything when cycling an aquarium.

Once your aquarium cycles which is indicated when your ammonia and nitrite levels are consistantly ZERO and nitrate levels have accumulated. And it is then that you can slowly start adding a few fish per week until you are fully stocked. Unfortunately with your size aquarium really only a betta would do best but I must say bettas are very addicting little fish that can be true 'aquatic pets' and come in so many colors and fin shapes. Some bettas are even "double-tailed"!

I really hope this helps and Best wishes!
Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~