How To Make Cycling Easier On A Goldfish? Options

[Hamad]

I was away from home for about a year and while I was away I had a tank set up there and before coming back I gave away all the fish except one that I brought with me. I didn't really calculate things when I decided to bring the poor oranda with me.

I have a 2 ft tank that I filled with water already and I'm going to add the heater and a filter soon [didn't decide yet, I have many filters around and not sure which one to pick...might end up using two sponge filters cause it's not a large set up and just one 5" fish].

Now I know that once I put everything together and have the fish released inside, the next step is waiting for ammonia to rise and the cycle process begin. I really love this fish and I don't want to loose it or have it stressed up because of cycling the tank. I don't know anyone that has a tank to keep the fish with him/her so it's stuck with me.

Is there anyway to make the tank's cycle go easy on the fish? Like perhaps changing 50% of the water daily? Or maybe anyone have other suggestions that would keep the fish comfortable till the aquarium cycles?

Thanks...

[Allan]

And in case I couldn't find/order one, could I get green water with a clouded sky or direct sunlight is the only way?

Hi there

Cloudy day is fine but definitely not ideal. During the moonsoon season here in Singapore where the sky will be cloudy for days, my green water tubs don't turn intensely green as quickly. I now have the habit on checking up the weather forecast just before I change my green water. If the forecast calls for cloudy days in a roll, I would seed more old green water, failing which my fishes would suffer that week.

Try to find a spot in your garden where you can get maximum exposure to direct sunlight. You can always move it to a less brightly lit area if the green intensifies too quickly.

Cheers.