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Can i get some gravel from one of the fish tanks at walmart to add to my new goldfish tank for bacte2007-11-24 23:10:37

I am hoping to get some gravel from a pet store tank to add to my new tank for beneficial bacteria. The nearest pet store is walmart and i am sure i could ask them for some but i am in question as to whether a tank at walmart could even be considered well established. So many fish from walmart die, i am also concerned about bringing home contaminated gravel and introducing disease to the tank. If it makes a difference the fish is from the same walmart so it has probably been exposed to the same stuff that they have. We got the fish four days ago. I know everyone says just cycle it for like a week but he is in a one gallon bowl and i am really eager to get him more space. Keeping him in something so small has me worried. So can i add walmart gravel or is there a better way?

Answers:

DO NOT TRUST WALMART FISH OR WATER. Seriously, worst place in the world. If your that desperate, drive farther. You can buy some stuff called "Cycle" and it helps develop the necessary bacteria faster.

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walmart is not the best place to go shoping for fish supplies all my fish died after they got home form walmart because they had infections so shop at petsmart or petco

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it is better to get a beneficial bacteria starter chemical. they sell it at most pet stores and it helps speed things up a bit.

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I would not trust gravel from Walmart. It's not really necessary to add gravel or filter media or anything, really, to your new tank in order to cycle it (besides fish, of course). It may jump start the process, but it will happen all on its own, without adding anything. If you wish to add something, either get some gravel or filter media from a friend who has a well established, healthy tank, or get some Bio-Spira.

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The product mentioned by the first answerer, Cycle, is completely worthless. It does nothing to progress a cycle, and it is a waste of money. I have used it, and it held no effect. Seachems's Stability however, works like a charm and helped my cycle my 29 gallon in about a week, with gravel seedings from my established tank. I would NOT get substrate from walmart. If there is any disease in the tank, if could be in the substrate. Go to a local fish shop and explain your circumstances, and they may deal with you...

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Do not get anything from Walmart. I swear, it's a miracle that your goldfish is still alive, and I wouldn't put any of their gravel in a tank of mine for love or money. All the Walmarts around here have stopped carrying fish because they are terrible at it. If you got a healthy fish from them, it's a miracle, and I wouldn't press my luck trying to get anything else good out of those tanks.