Cycle with new fish, can i ?

[freshcichlid]

ok well in another post we decided that my cichlid tank is also going to have some raphael catfish tankmates. therefor i wanted to know when was the best time to start adding them, i want to add the cats first and then the cichlids all at once, once i know the water is at the right levels, so how long until i can add the raphaels. i have a small 10gallon tank right now with an angel in it, and my LFS is having a sale on cats, so i was going to get them now and let them hang out in my 10 gallon until my 40 is cycling, but once it is how long do i have to wait to add them ? thanks

 

[glolite]

Once your 40 has cycled (I take it you're fishless cycling) when the nitrites are at nil do a 50% water change then add the catfish. I should mention that it's better to add catfish to a mature tank but if you've done a proper fishless cycle then a bigger load of fish is ok. Personally I would add the cichlids first then the catfish after a few more weeks. Are you going for dwarf cichlids?

 

[freshcichlid]

im only adding a pair of raphaels, does that mean i can add them first if there are only two of them
and my cichlids are 6 yellow labs and 6 afra's (going to be )

 

[dizlal]

I have some talking/raphaels/choclate/humbugs what ever you want to call them in with my bunch of cichlids, they really are a very nice addition just don't plan on seeing them to often. I once was doing a good clean of the tank, took out all the rocks and wondered were Pltydoras costaus was, 2 hours later I found him stuck to the bottom of the rock i had taken out clucking away in the bottom of a bucket.

 

[glolite]

im only adding a pair of raphaels, does that mean i can add them first if there are only two of them
and my cichlids are 6 yellow labs and 6 afra's (going to be )

The cichlids sound lovely. I hope i didn't confuse you, I meant that generally, it is better not to add catfish/s to a new tank as they are very sensitive to water quality changes. However, if the tank has fully cycled and you have time to test water parameters regularly and do partial water changes if required, then I'm sure it will be ok. Have fun

 

[freshcichlid]

oh ok, thanks, what are a good type of fish to cycle my tank with, and how many should i use ? haha and when do i know its fully cycled ?

 

[glolite]

Do you know about fishless cycling?

 

[vantgE]

definately do a fishless cycle if you can

 

[freddyk]

Fishless is best because it allows you to add all your mbuna at once. This means there will be much higher chances of compatibility with them as they grow up together.

 

[dl1217]

is this your first tank? if not or if you have access to previously cycled filter media or substarate and you would be ready to go within 1-3 days....thats all i do - did my 125 in 2 days and everyone has been happy.

 

[freshcichlid]

yea this isnt my first tank, but its the first big tank that ive cycled, all my others were small and i added such a small amount of fish that it didnt matter that much. but how should i go about cycling my tank now, i am adding new sand, and a new biger filter, so im getting rid of anything that would help me, its all a fresh start

 

[dl1217]

starting out with brand new media and everything what worked best for me was using guppy feeders and nitromax or stress zyme.

but as i mentionedif your lucky enough to be able to get a used filter and substrate you wouldbe ready to go in a few days max.

i cycled 2 55 gallons and a 29 gallon in 2 days just a few days ago when i hadot upgrade due to stock - peopelmight disagree with my method but i havent had one death this way and my peacocks even spawned the second day.

 

[vantgE]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

 

[dl1217]

thats alot to read

 

[vantgE]

It's definately worth it though I read the original article on a website when I was doing mine, it was alot easie on the eyes don't bother with the screenshots just the copy and pasted article nearer the botom couple posts