Mail Order Fish

[hultman]

One of the reasons I got out of this hobby a few years back is that I live 150 miles from the nearest decent LFS. Since I've been back, I've been looking at all these on-line fish stores, with their overnight shipping and guarantees.

Looks like cool stuff, and I'm going to try it, but the only way it really makes sense is to order half a dozen fish at a time. I realize that's not the best stocking practice, so I thought I'd pose a question.

I'll be stocking a newly set up system that I cycled with three damsels, which I can give back. The question is, what's the best way to crank up the bio capability of the system before I double the fish population?

One thought I had was about this new "dead shrimp" cycle process, which I've never tried. It occurred to me that maybe I could drop a shrimp or two into the tank, along with the damsels, for a couple weeks before I order fish.

If I can support the additional bio load, the advantage to ordering a half dozen fish is that there would be no fights over established territory, which would actually reduce stress.

Any thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks!

 

[NaH2O]

IMO, I wouldn't order that many fish at once. I see what you are saying about ordering online....trying to make the shipping cost effective, but really, if your tank can't handle the load and all or some of the fish die, then you really didn't save any money. Now, if your tank can support 6 small fish, then you might be alright. It all depends on your tank size/water volume, bacterial populations for processing, and size of fish.

 

[benjen]

Easy solution: get a couple 10 gallon tanks and some foam air filters. Put the foam in your main tank to build up a bacteria colony. Take the damsels out and toss in a couple cocktail shrimp (thawed if they were frozen). The ammonia will shoot through the roof and you'll do a major cycle that will support more than three fish the same size as your damsels. When the cycle is really ending, move the foam filters to the 10 gallon quarantines. Your main tank can now take two large, three medium, or four small fish due to the excess bacteria from the cycle. The two 10's can each take a medium or maybe two small fish.

It might still be cheaper to order in several batches, but at least you've got some quarantine options you'll end up needing later anyway.

Now, back to work...