I did a fishless cycle, changed my water and did a test run with a small amount of ammonia added with 0 nh3, 0 no2, trace no3, so stocking began...
(below in sig you will find my tank specs + 2x15W NO Fluoro)...
My questions:
1) with 3 oto and 6 tiny green neons, could I add another small species school (of 4-6), or could I go out and get more green neons, I was also thinking of adding a single ram cichlid instead, although I am not sure about the bioload and whether it may peck at my neons. I realize I may be at my max, but I am willing to do the necessary H2O changes to upkeep the tank.
2) How long would it take for my plants to be able to use the natural fertilizer provided by the fish? And what would be an easy to use fertilizer to use until then (I currently only added iron, and the substrate is inert).
3) I am planning on changing my substrate.... rather I was thinking of adding either profile/latherine/flourite and/or small amount of peat/soil (less expensive)... can this be done without doing a major change to the tank or should I temp remove the gravel and get my substrate down below and then replace my gravel on top. Reason I don't want to do a major change is I don't want to disturb the fish since I added them yesterday and fell my plants would benefit greatly if I add substance to my substrate.
Thanks for reading, I await your suggestions patiently.
-Vin
(below in sig you will find my tank specs + 2x15W NO Fluoro)...
My questions:
1) with 3 oto and 6 tiny green neons, could I add another small species school (of 4-6), or could I go out and get more green neons, I was also thinking of adding a single ram cichlid instead, although I am not sure about the bioload and whether it may peck at my neons. I realize I may be at my max, but I am willing to do the necessary H2O changes to upkeep the tank.
2) How long would it take for my plants to be able to use the natural fertilizer provided by the fish? And what would be an easy to use fertilizer to use until then (I currently only added iron, and the substrate is inert).
3) I am planning on changing my substrate.... rather I was thinking of adding either profile/latherine/flourite and/or small amount of peat/soil (less expensive)... can this be done without doing a major change to the tank or should I temp remove the gravel and get my substrate down below and then replace my gravel on top. Reason I don't want to do a major change is I don't want to disturb the fish since I added them yesterday and fell my plants would benefit greatly if I add substance to my substrate.
Thanks for reading, I await your suggestions patiently.
-Vin
