Mature Tank

[fishyfinger]

Hi
i am cycling my first tank and on reading some posts members refer to a "mature tank"
I understand that when i get 0ppm ammonia and 0ppm nitrite i will be able to put all the fish listed below in my tank after a 90% water change.(using dechlorinated Water)
I am now wondering if as suggested some fish want a "mature tank" i cannot put the bristlenose, corys in at first afterall. Can someone define "mature"
Thanks
Ian

 

[PaPeRo]

Where did you get the information about doing a 90% water change?

 

[raptorrex]

Hi
i am cycling my first tank and on reading some posts members refer to a "mature tank"
I understand that when i get 0ppm ammonia and 0ppm nitrite i will be able to put all the fish listed below in my tank after a 90% water change.(using dechlorinated Water)
I am now wondering if as suggested some fish want a "mature tank" i cannot put the bristlenose, corys in at first afterall. Can someone define "mature"
Thanks
Ian

I'll try lol

it's a tank that has been fully cycled for some months, and is stable, in essence a tank that needs only, water changes(25% weekly), and the odd filter clean, in the way of maintenances . well that's my understanding anyway!

 

[dwarfgourami]

Where did you get the information about doing a 90% water change?

I see nothing seriously wrong with that- after a fishless cycle you do a major water change (70-90% usually recommended) to dilute the nitrates that are left by the nitrite-eating bacteria.

About the mature tank- most people would define a mature tank as one that has been up and running with fish and without problems for a period of 6 months. IMO a bristlenose and most corys do need a cycled tank, but do not require a mature tank, so they can go in straight after the big water change. An exception would be panda corys, as they are that little bit more sensitive.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Where did you get the information about doing a 90% water change?

I see nothing seriously wrong with that- after a fishless cycle you do a major water change (70-90% usually recommended) to dilute the nitrates that are left by the nitrite-eating bacteria.

About the mature tank- most people would define a mature tank as one that has been up and running with fish and without problems for a period of 6 months. IMO a bristlenose and most corys do need a cycled tank, but do not require a mature tank, so they can go in straight after the big water change. An exception would be panda corys, as they are that little bit more sensitive.

yeah your meant to do a massive change after a fishless cycle.

I'd say about 6 month's too. when you've done your cycle it's just that 'cycled' you shouldn't add any sensitive fish for a good few months afterwards. basically by cycling your tank you will build up a level of bacteria which can cope with the bio load, but after a few months it will be blossoming and you'll get bacteria build up in substrate as well, also plants will have had time to establish and they've then started making a contribution to filtration. It's basically all just much more stable and with more 'fall back' if your filter bacteria died off for some reason.

 

[PaPeRo]

Where did you get the information about doing a 90% water change?

I see nothing seriously wrong with that- after a fishless cycle you do a major water change (70-90% usually recommended) to dilute the nitrates that are left by the nitrite-eating bacteria.

90% is A LOT. How the hell are you going to keep the filter running?

 

[Squid]

I asked a similar question once as i was always wondering why I was having issues, and got this reply from CFC, which was really helpful..

Over time in any tank a substance known as bio film builds up on everything in the tank, stick your hand in a well established tank and run your fingers across the apperently clean glass, it feels kind of slimey. This film is a collection of bacteria, algea and microscopic organisms that survive by taking nutrients from the water and breaking them down before they can reach levels that are harmfull, a kind of organic filtration system that only time can provide. The older the tank is the more layers of bio film there are and the more bomb proof the tank becomes, ive had 4 year old tanks which are heavily stocked where ive forgotten to plug the filter back in over night and not even seen a nitrite spike.

The thread i started is here if you would like to read more.. i hope you find it useful..

Squid

 

[PaPeRo]

What if the inside of your tank gets cleaned every couple of days using a magnet? Does that mean it is never mature?

 

[Squid]

Good question.. ?

Personally, i dont know.. Perhaps CFC may comment on this. i dont think the magnet would remove everything though, and there are plenty of other surfaces in the tank. I expect its also to do with building up other bacteria, and not just the ones that sort out the nitrogen cycle.

Squid

 

[Kevstir]

Where did you get the information about doing a 90% water change?

I see nothing seriously wrong with that- after a fishless cycle you do a major water change (70-90% usually recommended) to dilute the nitrates that are left by the nitrite-eating bacteria.

90% is A LOT. How the hell are you going to keep the filter running?

when i did my huge water change i just filled a bucket with tank water and poped the filter sponges (juwel) in it with and air stone placed under them , they were out of the tank for about 1.5hr and they were fine

 

[fishyfinger]

Hi
Thanks for all the input.
Quote"An exception would be panda corys, as they are that little bit more sensitive".
You may have seen on my fish wanted the panda corys.
So how long would it be before i could add these in 2months after the first .or wait 6 to be on the safe side.
Im thinking 6 danios first
and the bristle nose. Give them 2 weeks then perhaps 6 cardinals and the shrimps. Another 2 weeks after
maybe something else but not the pandas yet.
Does that sound ok method
Thanks again
Ian

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Hi
Thanks for all the input.
Quote"An exception would be panda corys, as they are that little bit more sensitive".
You may have seen on my fish wanted the panda corys.
So how long would it be before i could add these in 2months after the first .or wait 6 to be on the safe side.
Im thinking 6 danios first
and the bristle nose. Give them 2 weeks then perhaps 6 cardinals and the shrimps. Another 2 weeks after
maybe something else but not the pandas yet.
Does that sound ok method
Thanks again
Ian

leave it 6 months for panda's..... plenty of people end up keeping them in tanks on they're own cos they're so sensitive.

rest of it sounds good though

 

[Kevstir]

oh no iv got 3 panda's in mines thats only been setup 2 weeks, there doing great mind you, there very active

 

[Squid]

oh no iv got 3 panda's in mines thats only been setup 2 weeks, there doing great mind you, there very active

Some people have survived hurling themselves of Niagra Falls in a barrel.. but i still wouldn't recommend it. I guess its a question of probability.

Squid

 

[fishyfinger]

leave it 6 months for panda's..... plenty of people end up keeping them in tanks on they're own cos they're so sensitive.

rest of it sounds good though
[/quote]

Thanks for the ok
im thinking of in future adding maybe rams or rainbows im not sure if there is enough room for a few harlequins as i will need a few to keep them happy. Still studying which fish will go with my first ones.
Thanks for anyones future input