Countering A Mini Cycle

[cybergoldfish]

I may be getting a shipment of fish soon, but really I'd need them all at the same time (since they're travelling across the country, I don't particularly want to have to do it repeatedly). Is there any way of countering a mini cycle, should one come along due to the increased bioload? (admittadly Endlers don't produce much waste, and my tank's cycled fully, mature and planted). Would doing a 5 - 10% water change a day for a week or two help?

Thanks,
James

 

[Torrean]

yes, But I would do tests every couple days and if there is a problem do a water change if not then don't bother. You can also use Ammo Lock or equivalent to deal with the excess ammonia. Don't know if there is a similair product for NI

 

[rdd1952]

The size of a mini cycle (if there is one) really depends on the size of the tank, the current inhabitants, and how many new fish you are adding. If you have 20 fish in a fully cycled tank and add 5 more, yo've only increased the bioload by 25% (provided the new and old fish produce waste equally). Whereas, if you only have 10 fish in the tank and add 5, you have increased it by 50%. The smaller the increase percentage wise, the less the mini cycle will be. If you're only increasing the stock by 20 to 25 percent, you may not even see a mini cycle as the bacteria should catch up pretty quick.