advice?

[xxaprilrose]

So I started my 37gallon tank cycle on the 16th, so about 11 days ago. The tanks current PH is 7.6 and ammonia is 2 PPM. I dosed it with ammonia the day I filled the tank. I also added API quick start as well. I have not seen any changes to the water. Yesterday I went to a fish store, fully intended on JUST LOOKING but I ran by the most beautiful flowerhorn I had ever seen. My dream fish. Definitely one I will not find anywhere else as it was unique especially for my area. I told him my tank is not cycled and only 10 days in at that point. He gave me about half a gallon of dirty water from one of his tanks and he squeezed out one of the sponge filters into the bag. I took it home and put it in my tank. He said unfortunately he can only hold the fish for a week though so I only have until saturday to cycle the tank. Today, the ammonia was at 1 PPM, no nitrites but maybe nitrate? Nitrate was a little more orange than the yellow on the api kit test so I am not sure. Anyways, if I grab filter media from a friend tomorrow to place in my tank is there ANY chance of it being cycled by Saturday? Or am I just going to have to get a refund? Like I said, I didnt anticipate this and I know the proper way to cycle a tank and I was going to wait the 6-8 weeks it wouldve taken but this fish... I cant stop thinking about him lol. Maybe I could empty my tank, add in only api quick start then add my fish the next day... with daily water changes? .. any suggestions thanks in advance

Oh! Also yes I am aware 37g is way too small for a flowerhorn. He is about 5 inches right now and I do have a 90 gallon but thats not set up yet so this 37g is only temporary.

 

[1 2many]

Personally I would wait a full month before adding a fish to a newly setup aquarium. You are almost at the half way mark. After 4 weeks I would buy a couple of inexpensive but healthy fish like (neon, guppy, or other cheap fish) first, and see if they survive before buying my desired more expensive fish.
If you don’t want to wait definitely pickup some Fluval cycle, and still add the “guinea pig” fish a few days before. If they survive great. Double check the water parameters and get the Flowerhorn.
Good luck , hope this helps!

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

if you add pre colonized filter media then it should insta cycle. Even then I would wait a little

 

[HybridFinatic]

Do you have a pic of the dream fish? I can provide some insight. When I was in the market for a new flowerhorn almost any flowerhorn I saw in person was my dream fish at the time because I was excited and wanted to buy and get a cool fish in tank ASAP but truth is the longer you wait the cooler the fish you may come by. There are plenty of times where I’ll buy a fish to fill out a tank and the next day or week I see something even better and I can’t get it anymore. Chances are your “dream fish” isn’t all that unique and you could find one similar quite easily but who knows maybe the fish is dream fish must-have material.

 

[tlindsey]

Have you considered quarantine for the Flowerhorn until your main aquarium is completely cycled.

 

[HybridFinatic]

Do you have a pic of the dream fish? I can provide some insight. When I was in the market for a new flowerhorn almost any flowerhorn I saw in person was my dream fish at the time because I was excited and wanted to buy and get a cool fish in tank ASAP but truth is the longer you wait the cooler the fish you may come by. There are plenty of times where I’ll buy a fish to fill out a tank and the next day or week I see something even better and I can’t get it anymore. Chances are your “dream fish” isn’t all that unique and you could find one similar quite easily but who knows maybe the fish is dream fish must-have material.

I saw your other thread. That is a stunning golden base flowerhorn. If you can’t cycle fast enough and can’t get this one get in contact with Chris Rounds on Facebook he’e got Fireman’s Dream Line golden base flowerhorn atm.