Cycling Question

[drewmac]

I recently purchased a 20 gallon tank. I started with three Tiger Barbs and four plants (real) approximately three weeks ago). I saw a small spike in Ammonia (highest reading was 1.0), then a small spike in Nitrite (highest reading was 1.0). I now have ammonia and nitrite both at 0 with nitrates between 5 and 10. I have added another real plant and two dwarf frogs and a bristlenose pleco. My readings are still the same (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate b/w 5 and 10). Can I assume that the tank has cycled and I can start adding more fish (sensibly of course)?

thanks for any advice!

 

[rdd1952]

You can assume the tank is cycled for the bio-load you have. That doesn't mean you can go out and add a dozen fish. You can add up to the equivalent bio-load, i.e., 3 more tiger barbs,2 ADFs and another BN pleco for instance, and not really have a problem. That's just an example as I'm sure you don't want to add the same thing you have. The bacteria would need to catch up but can generally double their numbers in about 14 hours, depending on water parameters. Just keep the additions slow and after adding new stock, just make sure you have a good week without ammonia or nitrite readings before adding again.

One thing about your stock. Tiger barbs are generally pretty aggressive and don't make the best community fish. The larger the group, the more aggression is spread and the better chance you have of them not bothering your other fish.

 

[drewmac]

One thing about your stock. Tiger barbs are generally pretty aggressive and don't make the best community fish. The larger the group, the more aggression is spread and the better chance you have of them not bothering your other fish.
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Thanks! I know that about Tiger Barbs. My plan is to wait a week to make sure my filter is handling the newly added frogs and pleco (which I love) and then pick up two more TB's to make it more of a school.
Any thoughts on how they will interact with hatchet fish? I am thinking of adding a few of them to fill out the upper strata of the tank.