I am currently running a fishless cycle and although I have read that once this is complete, you can add a full load of fishies, I am very nervous of doing that. I was just thinking of adding some platies first to see how they do (not that I think platies are expendable, but they are a lot cheaper than the clown loaches I am planning on getting!). If I do this, will i have to go through cycling again before I add more like a fishy cycle? Whaddya think folks - a few at a time or "in for a penny, in for a pound"?
Adding fish
- Thread starter cathrynlisa
- Start date
no matter how u cycle ur tnak. fish should be added only 2 or so at a time. the bioload that multiple fish create will unbalance ur tank and could cause an ammonia spike. i would just test teh water before u stick in any fish. once u see everything is at normal levels, then just add 2 or 3 fish a week. good luck!!
i think a lot of it depends on the existing load on the bacteria.
size oif tank and amount of bio filtration.
given a low dose of ammonia there isn't as much bacteria to compensate for a large added load.
it is best to only add a couple inches of fish to a new cycle.
size oif tank and amount of bio filtration.
given a low dose of ammonia there isn't as much bacteria to compensate for a large added load.
it is best to only add a couple inches of fish to a new cycle.
My current tank is 36"L x 12"W x 15"D, but after Xmas I will be getting one 6feet long and as deep and wide as I can accommodate. For now, I was going to get about 5 or 6 platies and a couple of Clown loaches. Ultimately, in the big tank I would like to keep some Bala sharks too, would I have enough room for some now if i buy the tiny ones, bearing in mind they will be upgraded in the new year?
If you are doing a fishless, with 5 ppm ammonia as your starting point, you will be able to do a full load when the cycle is complete.
Many people have the intent on a bigger tank to support an upgrade, few follow through. The clowns like to be in groups, and I would forego the bala sharks period.
Choose fish appropriate for the tank you have, with the growth in mind and requirements of them.
Hard to plan on what will fit in a tank that is " 6 feet long, and as deep and as wide as I can accommodate ".
Many people have the intent on a bigger tank to support an upgrade, few follow through. The clowns like to be in groups, and I would forego the bala sharks period.
Choose fish appropriate for the tank you have, with the growth in mind and requirements of them.
Hard to plan on what will fit in a tank that is " 6 feet long, and as deep and as wide as I can accommodate ".
You could get some clown loaches now as long as they would be moved to a bigger tank by the time they reach 4" in length. However it would be well advised to just wait for the bigger aquarium as you should let it mature before you add them. I suggest getting a tank that is 6' x 24" x 24" at minimum if you plan to house them for their whole life.
Do not get any bala sharks! They grow very fast and should be kept in groups. I’m not sure that a 6' tank would even be big enough to house them properly.
Do not get any bala sharks! They grow very fast and should be kept in groups. I’m not sure that a 6' tank would even be big enough to house them properly.
RISK2123 said:
This is not correct, as long as you were testing ammonia and maintaining a fairly high level during your cycle. If your bio-bed can eat 5ppm of Ammonia in 24 hrs, you should be ready to add a full load right away. Why? Because 5ppm is quite a bit of Ammonia, and is probably vaguely under what a properly loaded and fed tank produces in one day. If your bio-bed can eat that much ammonia in one day without Nitrite-spiking, then that same bed can keep up with whatever it is the fish put out without spiking.
Where you have to be careful is not letting too much time go by between your last ammonia dose and when you add the fish. Certainly your ammonia should be zero when you drop the fish in the tank, but you should have added some the previous day to make sure your bio-bed was ready to go.
SirWired