new tank tomorrow

[gman52]

I'm getting my new 20 gallon planted fish tank tomorrow. im using bio-spira. My question is when i use it, do i add it right as i add my fish, or do i wait a day or so then add fish.

my fish are going to be
3-4 zebra danios
4-6 neon tetras
3-4 corys
3-4 platy's
2 snails
maybe shrimp

picked these because these are hardy fish.

 

[phanmc]

Bio-Spira should be added at the same time as the fishload, the nitrifying bacteria contained in Bio-Spira requires ammonia that comes from the fishes. While they can probably survive a day or two without ammonia, why wait?

 

[greendeltatke]

Um, not that you asked or anything, but since I'm feeling like a nag... When you get your platties, try and get one male and three females. Even if you have no interest in breeding them, it will still make for a more peaceful tank.

 

[gman52]

how can you tell the difference between males and females. if i can i certainly will try.

 

[greendeltatke]

If the store clerks don't know then they are desperately undertrained. The males have gonopodia or a pointed anal (or is it ventral?) fin. The females will have a rounded anal fin and maybe a gravid spot. In X. maculatus the females will be larger. There is sticky with pictures on this subject at fishgeeks, www.aquaria.info.