Filter Question?

[cbass179]

1. I have an AquaTech 30-60 that i bought as part of a Walmart 55 gal kit(i'm a poor man). I also have an AquaClear 70. Now, my question is, should i switch my aquatech for a filter with a biowheel? I want to switch now because i just started cycling. I placed 9 Zeba Danios just yesterday.

2. Are 9 Zebra Danios enough to start the cycling or should i purchase more hardy fish? I have a 55 Gal

thank you

Mark

 

[OrionGirl]

Your choice on switching the filter--bio-wheels are good for highly stocked tanks, but not so good for planted setups.

When cycling with fish, the fewer you add initially, the better off they will be. A few fish in a large tank will establish the same size bacteria colony as the same number of fish in a smaller tank, but the dilutation of more water means less toxicity. So--the fish are more likely to survive the process.

Personally, if you haven't already purchased the fish, I'd advise researching fishless cycling. It allows you to fully establish the bacterial filtration without exposing fish to high levels of ammonia and nitrites, and without potentially introducing a disease or parasite to your tank. You're able to pretty well fully stock the tank once the cycling is complete, instead of adding them a few at time over several months as you must with a tank fish cycled.