Time to add some fish for cycle...

To further expand on what Star rider is saying, With two fish your bacteria colony will grow to the largest size possible before bacteria begin starving. When you add a couple more, then the bacteria in place is capable of consuming more ammonia than they previously had. additionally the colony size will double within a day or two. and continue multiplying exponentially until it runs out of food. at which time you can add a couple more fish and so on. It's all covered somewhere in the cycling article, but I do realise that is a very large document, and many folks don't have or take the time to read it all.
Dave
 
More of the same advice from me too. Cories aren't good for cycling. If you get ammonia, or nitrite readings, its because there isn't enough bacteria to consume it all. As long as there is a little bit it will cycle. I agree that zebra danio's are the best cyclers too. I know its hard when you first start to have a big tank with hardly any fish in it but it really is best to wait it out. Its worth it in the end knowing you got a healthy aquarium going and limited the number of fish deaths.
 
OK, I do understand what you all are saying - and that was precisely the reason for my questions. I do have zero readings now and wish to add the next residents. I shouldn't have indicated that I was trying to speed the cycle, that isn't my intention.
Rather, it was time to add the next fish. Cories were my choice since those are in my long-term plans.
Hope this clears it up!
 
If you ammonia and nitrites are zero, and you have some nitrates, then yes you can add your next set of fish. Personally I added my cories last because I have heard that they aren't very hardy when it comes to ammonia and nitrite, You can add them but keep up testing your water and be ready to do water changes incase you have a mini cycle. (you might have to be that cautious for the rest of the fish you add). A mini cycle shouldn't tank too long to complete. Once the bio filter is establish it grows pretty quickly.
 
Something else to consider is that most new hobbyists want to feed their new fish (We all suffer from this to some degree) Limit feeding to an absolute minimum when you add new fish. If the fish are healthy and not too small, go a day or two before their first feeding. Fish food IMHO produces more ammonia and causes more problems than fish in most cases.

also consider the size of your existing fish and the size of the fish you plan to add. Dwarf Gourami's are bigger than most juvinile cories, so if the bacteria is handling the gourami's, adding two small cories probably won't cause much trouble. Just test frequently for the first 3-4 days if you don't see detectable levels then add a couple more and so on. Just don't get in a hurry and things should be fine.

Dave
 
I added corries too soon and I lost a bunch. They were the only fish I lost. I'd hold off on them too. :cool:

Lisa
 
Thanks for the info. Worked out well. I now have gone past the initial ammonia spike into the nitrite spike. Now, if I've read correctly, wait until the nitrates start before adding the next batch - right?
Those will be clown loaches, btw.
Thanks!
 
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