new kissing gourami tank setup

Question
Last year I tried to have an all pink kissing gourami tank but I couldn't keep them alive.  Well, I'm starting over.  I scrubed the tank, washed the gravel and accessories real good.  I was actually doing all that so it could be put up. I was frustrated.  I bought a new filter.  I have a 29 gallon tank and all I want is pink kissing gouramis.  Like two or three.  I set it up yesterday.  I was going to let it cycle for 3 to 4 weeks before adding fish, but a pet store that I frequent has a real nice size pink kissing gourami, so I was going to get it.  Do I need to add aquarium salt?  Do I need algae eater or cory cat?  I want this to work real bad.  Please give me all the information you can on how to make my pink kissing gourami only tank a success.

Answer
Hello,

The key to starting a tank is the cycling process. This can take 6-8 weeks but it doesn't actually start until you have put a fish in your tank! Once you do this, they release waste that has ammonia. After a while, bacteria will form that will break the ammonia down into nitrite. It will take another while for nitrite eating bacteria to form and break the nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate is the safe form of this ammonia cycle. Once it is nitrate, your fish are no longer at risk.

What this means is, you could get your kissing gourami right away. A 24-48 hour wait period after setting up your tank is recommended to insure appropriate temperature. If you do add your kissing gourami first off though, the cycling will start and your gourami will be exposed to high levels of toxic ammonia and nitrites. He could be weakened, get sick or he might even pass away. That's why it is often recommended to add an inexpensive fish first.

You can help the cycling along with a product such as Cycle. It adds beneficial bacteria and helps break down ammonia and nitrite.

An algae eater and cory cat will not help your fish during this cycling period. Both would be maybe even more affected by the toxic levels. The best thing you can do is add a couple small fish you aren't commited too and monitor your water daily, checking for ammonia and nitrites.

I hope this helps.

Good-luck,
From Stephanie