How Long?

[Sanjay]

Hello everyone!!
I have a Jewel 46litre tank.
I am currently in the process of doing a fishless cycle started on the 29th April last month.
I am dosing the tank with pure Kleenoff Ammonia to a level of 4ppm and by the 8th of this month, the ammonia readings were 0 every 12 hours. I am redosing to 4ppm every time the reading is 0 and the readings of 0 are now consistent every 10/12 hours so I know the ammonia processing bacteria are there!!
When testing the nitrite level this morning using my api master test kit, the drops turn purple immediately in the bottom of the test tube.
The nitrate level was 10ppm.
I did a 40 litre water change 3 days ago.
I would like to know how long the nitrite munching bacteria take to develop so I have a rough timescale that i am working towards.
Also what fish are ideal for a 46 litre tank - i would like some nice colourful varieties?? Also, can i stock some different varieties?? I have been told a couple of shrimp are good too and this idea appeals!!

 

[attibones]

It usually takes twice as long as the first bacteria. It will seem to happen overnight.

 

[the_lock_man]

First thing I'd suggest is to drop your dosing to 2ppm. Our fishless cycling info page is a little out of date, and is currently being rewritten. I would also a 45 litre change, just to get the nitrite down to a readable level. At the moment, you don't know how much nitrite you have, it's off the scale.
 
Sadly, the nitrite-munchers are rather reticent about moving in, they do take a while, so you've probably got another 2-3 weeks until you are fully cycled
 
With regards fish for a 46l tank, whilst it's a little larger than we would normally class as a nano-tank, have a look in our Nano Tanks section, where there is a list of potential inhabitants. Shrimp will certainly be a good addition to the tank, and they don't add significantly to the bioload.

 

[Sanjay]

Thank you very much for the advice.
I will reduce the dosing to 2ppm as suggested. Looks like another water change is imminent.
Thank you for your speedy and helpful replies, as usual they are greatly appreciated.

 

[Sanjay]

The lock man, i have an idea of what fish now but how many is the nxt question?
What would be the optimum stocking level for my size tank (46litre)?

 

[the_lock_man]

The lock man, i have an idea of what fish now but how many is the nxt question?
What would be the optimum stocking level for my size tank (46litre)?

 
Without knowing what it is you want, I can't say. You could have 6 Celestial Pearl Danios, but not 6 Cardinal Tetras, for instance.

 

[fluttermoth]

What are the dimensions of your tank, OP? That's actually more useful as a stocking guide than volume.

 

[Sanjay]

Dimensions are 60cm width x 30cm depth x 30cm height.

Would 6 pearl danios be the most i could have or could i combine 2 different groups just to make the tank look different and more colourful??

 

[fluttermoth]

In small tanks like yours, you're really better off sticking to one species of shoaling fish. They'll be lot more confident, be out and about more and look much better. Smaller groups of more species tend to look 'messy'.
 
We are talking about celestial pearl danios here, not the 'normal' pearls; they're very, very active and your tank's a bit on the small side for them.
 
As long as you stick with fish that grow to an inch long, adult sized (so, ember tetras, CPD, microrasboras etc), you could have a dozen, although you will have to ensure that your maintenance regime is up to scratch.
 
You could certainly add some shrimps as well; they create very little waste, so don't have much of an effect on your overall stocking.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If I could interject a quick suggestion or two:
 
You want color for more interest.  
 
A group of 10 celestial pearl danios and a handful of red cherry shrimp in a nicely planted tank would give you all the color you could ask for in that size tank.
 
 
Or, if its variety of colors you seek, you could also get a group of 8-10 MALE endlers.  Be sure they are endlers though and not guppies.  Guppies grow to about 2 inches, endlers stay at about 1 inch.

 

[Sanjay]

Thank you fm, thats exactly what i needed.
The advice you guys give is great - many thanks!!
I will look at the options you gave me and make the decision from there.
The shrimp, are these amano shrimp (i think thats what ive heard them called)?? And can i add these at the same time when i finally add the fish??

 

[the_lock_man]

Amano shrimp aren't particularly colourful. I would suggest you go for red cherry shrimp or crystal red shrimp.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thank you fm, thats exactly what i needed.
The advice you guys give is great - many thanks!!
I will look at the options you gave me and make the decision from there.
The shrimp, are these amano shrimp (i think thats what ive heard them called)?? And can i add these at the same time when i finally add the fish??

 
We posted at the same time, but I think you'd enjoy red cherry shrimp more than amano.  Amano's are rather "dull" looking.

 

[Sanjay]

Thank you eaglesaquarium - red cherry shrimp sound good - colour is important as my little girl (aged 4) is mega excited and looking forward to us getting the fish!! She is even helping me carry out the water tests (counting the drops as they go in the test tubes and helping to compare the colour charts!!)

Lol, thank you guys!!

 

[fluttermoth]

Well done for getting your daughter involved in the cycling process
 
We often hear parents on here saying, "oh, I can't do a fishless cycle, my kids will get bored if they don't have fish"; just goes to show how wrong they are!