new tank

[08dwright]

i just got a new 2 gallon tank for my baby mollies. do i need to cycle it b4 they go in? and how long should i cycle it for?

[zackish]

2 gallons is pretty small. Does it have a filter or anything?
You may be able to get away with just changing the water every week or so. Just like a half gallon worth, not even.
Also, if you do end up cycling it, you cycle it until nitrite and ammonia is at 0.

[Lady Hobbs]

You could have used a breeder box and just hang it on the inside of your existing tank. The plastic ones, not the net type.

I've never had baby fry so this is my "guess." You will need a heater and an airstone in the tank with no gravel. You will have to do small water changes often. A sponge filter would have been perfect for this but since you don't have one, go with what you have and do those water changes. Have you got brine shrimp for them?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

i agree with hobbs with the plastic breeder box, fry are very sensitive and moving them could kill them if your not careful, as a suggestion for food, i had good success with fry food that they sell at petsmart, its called first bite and made by hikari, basically its just very finely crushed flakes.

[08dwright]

well i have had them for over a month now. the 4 that are left are very healthy and i have kept them in a bredder tank within my existing tank. i just decided that they needed more room to swim around so they could get bigger. i got a 2 gallon with an undergravel filter(i know they suck) but its too small for a regular filter. i just didnt know if i needed to cycle it or just put them in it.

[gm72]

I'd cycle first. That 2 gallon won't hold them for long or you'll start stunting their growth.