Fishless Cycle Question

[Axyadbad]

I have a question regarding the fishless cycle:

Once the cycle has been completed and is processing 4ppm of ammonia to 0ppm of ammonia and nitrite in 12 hours, does this mean the tank is mature, and would be capable of almost fully stocking a tank? And also if the tank wasn't to be fully stocked immediately would some of the bacteria begin to die?

I'm thinking of getting relatively sensitive fish such as rummy nose tetra as my first, would these be ok if large water changes were carried out weekly?

Thanks for any help,
Axy

 

[phantomlink]

Ive read in a bunch of places if you can get it from 5 to 0 in 12 hours then you have enough bacteria to fully stock the tank. If you overstock it though your levels arent going to be the same. If theres a delay in being cycled and adding fish, you need to keep adding that 5ppm of ammonia daily or else the bacteria will start to die off. I would suggest not adding the most sensitive fish first to the tank. I'll be adding my Kuhli loaches last

 

[Axyadbad]

Okay dokie. Thanks for the advice! I'll be adding the ammonia until the day before, and doing a massive water change just before I add the fish.

I was planning on ottos and rummy nose in my tank Why am I so attracted to the sensitive fish!!!

I don't know what to do

 

[Essjay]

Just to add - a cycled filter isn't the same as a mature tank. There are thousands of micro-organisms that live in a tank but we concentrate on just two (the ammonia and nitrite eating bacteria) because lack of them can kill fish. A cycled filter is one that has enough bacteria to cope with the waste from a tankful of fish. A mature tank is one that has grown all the other micro-organisms, and that takes time. A tank is considered mature when it has been running around six months.
The other micro-organisms help keep the tank water stable. We can't measure everything in a tank and it is thought that the fish that need a mature tank are those that are susceptible to fluctuations in something we can't measure. Once all the micro-organisms have grown, the water is kept stable.

Of course that doesn't help at all if you like sensitive fish!


Oh, and the reason that otos don't like new tanks is because there isn't enough algae for them to feed on. They can be very picky feeders and starve to death if there isn't the right kind of algae.

 

[Axyadbad]

Thank you that has cleared up a lot! I was confused why a bacteria filled filter with respect to ammonia and nitrite consumptions could still be considered. I just need to think about some other fish I guess, although with respect to the ottos, I have A LOT of algae built up after just two weeks.

I think some more fish research is in order... what a shame haha

Thanks again,

Axy

 

[4seasons]

although with respect to the ottos, I have A LOT of algae built up after just two weeks.


Axy

There are quite a few different types of algae that can grow in your tank. Ottos don't just eat any type of algae. Having a lot of algae may not mean they have plenty of food.