How long do I have to leave the water in my fish tank before adding the fish

I have got a fish tank rady for a few tropical fish but im unsure how long to leave the water before its ready to put my fish in

Having a successful tank is not difficult, nor is it necessarily a lot of work, provided you use some common sense. These guidelines are based partly on science and partly on experience gleaned from aquarists having many years experience in ``the art of fishkeeping.'' The following list summarizes the most important rules for success. Each is discussed in more detail in subsequent sections of this document.

Have patience.

Buying a tank, setting it up and filling it with fish all in the same day, while possible, is a sure road to disaster. In fact, setting up and fully stocking your first tank will take close to two months!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Providing an environment that minimizes fish stress is the key to success. As fish become stressed, their immune systems weaken and they become more susceptible to disease. Moreover, most fish medicines don't work very well, aren't worth the money, and frequently do more damage than good. Often, the best treatment for sick fish is to relieve stress by

performing regular partial water changes,

not overfeeding,

checking that your filtration system works,

giving them enough room to live, and

keeping them with compatible tank mates.

(See the STRESS SECTION of this FAQ for full details.)