eragon
12-09-2003, 2:13 AM
What would be a good amount of fish to use to cycle my 50 gallon tank. It will be an oscar tank so I was thinking about 10 guppies so when the tan k is cycled he would have a treat. Would this be enough?
OrionGirl
12-09-2003, 8:31 AM
No, for several reasons.
First, you can cycle the tank without using ANY fish. You need ammonia, but it can be from decaying food or from a bottle. Search here, and check out the Freshwater Archives for detailed advice on cycling without fish.
Second, cycling with any fish results in a bio-filter capable of supporting those exact fish. So, you cycle it for 10 guppies, then throw in an oscar. It will recycle, exposing the oscar to the same toxins. Not the best idea for the fish.
Third, you're better off feeding the oscar prepared foods. Live foods are a frequent source of disease, and seldom offer adequate nutrition.
A 50 will be fine for an oscar for a while, but at maturity, oscars can and should be much too large to comfortably live in a 50. A 75 or larger is recommended.