Questions on Stocking 20 Gallon long

[john_two_fiftee]

My new 20 gallon long is almost done cycling; the ammonia and nitrites are 0 and nitrates are just kicking in.

I have decided to get flame tetras and would like to get the largest school possible for my size tank in order to make them feel the most secure. I have read that the larger the group, the more secure and therefore the more colorful and active they are. I also plan on breeding them since my water is perfect for them: very soft and very acidic!

I have also read that they look best in subdued lighting. Live plants now seem desirable to me, but I already have fairly large gravel, and so the only plant that I could really get would be a java fern, which is perfect because it does well in subdued lighting.

So, my questions are these:

How many flame tetras could I get? (I would just add 3 or 4 to begin with in a few days, since the tank is almost cycled)

Is it ok to get a java fern now, with the tank just beginning to be cycled?

And, later, when algae appears, could 2 or 3 otocinclus cats do well in my soft and acidic water?

Any help is appreciated. :help:

 

[dsbrasw]

What kind of filter do you have?

 

[RockabillyChick]

if your ammonia and nitrites are 0, then you ARE cycled. nitrAtes slowly build through the whole cycle and you have to remove them with a large water change before you add fish, then do regular water changes to keep them down below 20-30ppm.

 

[john_two_fiftee]

What kind of filter do you have?

I have an Aquaclear 20 gallon power filter.

 

[john_two_fiftee]

if your ammonia and nitrites are 0, then you ARE cycled. nitrAtes slowly build through the whole cycle and you have to remove them with a large water change before you add fish, then do regular water changes to keep them down below 20-30ppm.

Well, I meant the nitrates are still below 40 ppm (above 20).

I did a water change yesterday, which must have lowered the nitrates.

 

[RockabillyChick]

when doing a fishless cycle, you first add ammonia to about 4 or 5 parts per million. your ammonia will drop as your nitrItes rise. then your nitrItes will drop as your nitrAtes rise. once your ammonia and nitrItes reach 0, your tank is fully cycled. it doesnt really matter where your nitrAtes are, so long as they're below 20-30ppm (around 10ppm is best though) before adding fish, which you accomplish through water changes

you also don't want to let the tank sit too long without a supply of ammonia, or the bacteria will die. if your ammonia is 0 right now, you want to keep feeding bottled ammonia to keep your bacteria alive until your actually ready to buy fish

 

[john_two_fiftee]

when doing a fishless cycle, you first add ammonia to about 4 or 5 parts per million. your ammonia will drop as your nitrItes rise. then your nitrItes will drop as your nitrAtes rise. once your ammonia and nitrItes reach 0, your tank is fully cycled. it doesnt really matter where your nitrAtes are, so long as they're below 20-30ppm (around 10ppm is best though) before adding fish, which you accomplish through water changes

you also don't want to let the tank sit too long without a supply of ammonia, or the bacteria will die. if your ammonia is 0 right now, you want to keep feeding bottled ammonia to keep your bacteria alive until your actually ready to buy fish

I'm sorry; I see the confusion now. I didn't use fishless cycling; it was cycled using a small angelfish (I know, bad choice).

So, nitrates are around 15 ppm and ammonia and nitrites are 0. My questions now are, how many flame tetras (von rio tetras) can I put (I'll put in just a small trio within the next few days), and if I can add java ferns and moss by just letting them attach to the somewhat large gravel?