Can I add more fish?

[Inchworm]

Hi ravekiss

I wouldn't add more than 2 or 3 small ones, at least until your tank is well settled in.

If you add more now, do be sure to leave that second filter going for a while to make extra sure you don't go into a mini cycle. It's better to play it safe on this rather than end up doing daily water changes for a while to get things back in order.

It's sure hard to resist adding more fish, isn't it? I know all about that! )

 

[ravekiss]

Ok I went to the lfs and got 2 black mollies, one is a Sailfin Lyre-tail I think, and a female sword. When i got home I found one of my corys and a female guppy dead. The guppy has been acting strangely since before she got fry and hasn't eaten in a while after she got fry. I'm not sure what happened to the cory. I checked my levels and its good.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ravekiss

I don't like it when seemingly well fish suddenly die. It could be the start of a bacterial infection that could run through your other fish too, especially the newcomers who have not had time to get used to local waters.

It would be a good idea to give your tank a good bottom vacuuming and a substantial water change. This is to reduce the number of naturally occurring bad bacteria in there.

Unfortunately, while water tests can show the chemical suitability of your tank, there is no way to tell the bacteria count. Reducing them by water changes is the only safe thing to do, and will not effect your beneficial bacteria at all since they are clinging to the surfaces, not free swimming in the water.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[ravekiss]

I'll do a water change as soon as I get home..about 25% or is that too much?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ravekiss

That's good. Even if you took more it wouldn't hurt your beneficial bacteria. Just don't touch the filter.

Good luck.