New 60g, canister filter media and stocking

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PearlTigress

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Hi all! So long story short I have a 60g that was well established with two huge Oscars and a convict, which have now been rehomed. I wasn't the one that had them in there so don't judge! Anyway they're gone and I'm worried about losing the cycle so I think I'm going to at least get a small amount of stock soon, possibly tomorrow, to keep that bacteria trucking along. I can't afford to go crazy with a full stock even if it was a good idea. My idea is, grab a half dozen endlers OR swordfish trio, and one or two fast growing plants. The fish should help help the tank at least stay cycled even though the bacteria won't be as robust with such a small stock, and the plants will help keep things clean as well.

Ultimately I'm going for a fully planted, fully stocked tropical community. I'm focusing on boesmani Rainbowfish, swordtails, and probably corydoras. A little school of endlers to add variety, maybe a pair of kribs if I feel the mature tank has room for them and they'll be okay in my moderately hard water. We'll see. I was originally thinking a school of tetras but I worry my harder water will be tough for them.

As for the filter, I cleaned it for the first time (for me; previous owner did I'm sure). I was surprised to find both ceramic rings and bio balls in the trays. From the bottom up there's coarse foam, bio balls, bags of carbon, and ceramic rings. I rinsed the foam and carbon in tap water and the bio balls and ceramic rings in tank water. I also added some poly fill to the carbon layer because I heard that can help keep things really clean. Do I need to change anything with that set up?

Looking forward to any responses. Hoping to do things the easy way for once and not the "Well, now we know" way. Hehe
 
Can you give us the GH and PH reading for your water, most water providers will post this on their website. Corydoras are soft water fish while swordtails and endlers are hard water.
 
The GH is about 200/11.7 and will get a bit harder next year. PH is about 7.6. I'm having trouble finding clean up crew/scavengers that like my water.
 
It is sometimes best to do a fairly complete re-haul of an aquarium when changing fish like here. As for the cycle, the bacteria do not die when fish are not present, at least for a period of a few weeks, though the substrate and existing filter media may or may not need tossing. And live plants that are relatively fast-growing and present when the new fish are added will deal with this anyway.

If you intend Corydoras, a fine sand substrate is necessary. No idea what was in for the larger fish. And they are not scavengers/clean-up fish, they need specific dietary foods. The only thing that does help as clean-up are snails and shrimp.
 
That's very helpful thank you. I just drained as much water as I possibly could (down to maybe 1") and cleaned the filter; is that what you mean by doing an overhaul? The other fish were healthy so at least I'm not too worried about disease. I drained so much because the cichlid food was turning the water pink!!

There's gravel right now. If I go with corydoras I was thinking I'd get play sand possibly. By cleanup crew I just mean helping with fallen bits of food; I know they won't help with algae or poo. What harder water bottom dweller would you recommend, even if just to occupy the bottom of the tank and not be useful in any way?
 
That's very helpful thank you. I just drained as much water as I possibly could (down to maybe 1") and cleaned the filter; is that what you mean by doing an overhaul? The other fish were healthy so at least I'm not too worried about disease. I drained so much because the cichlid food was turning the water pink!!

There's gravel right now. If I go with corydoras I was thinking I'd get play sand possibly. By cleanup crew I just mean helping with fallen bits of food; I know they won't help with algae or poo. What harder water bottom dweller would you recommend, even if just to occupy the bottom of the tank and not be useful in any way?

Given that you will be changing out the gravel for sand, drain the water completely and remove the gravel. Then clean the tank with warm water; I use a sponge dedicated to fish tank use, it helps get traces of algae (you probably cannot even see) off the inside glass. Then when the play sand is rinsed, dump it in and have about 1.5 to 2 inches (4-5 cm) depth spread out. That is sufficient sand.

I would give the filter a good rinsing, under the tap, all the media. Soft media like floss/foam/sponge can wear out over time and can be replaced if it has, but otherwise just a good rinse. Tap water will deal with any bacteria.

As for "harder water" fish, the GH at 12 dGH is moderately hard and quite versatile. [When you say it will get harder next year, how exactly?] Common corydoras species will be fine now, probably then too, depending what this means.
 
Right now the water company is on surface water and next year they'll add some well water into the mix which is typically harder. That's all the information I have on that though, nothing specific.
 
Right now the water company is on surface water and next year they'll add some well water into the mix which is typically harder. That's all the information I have on that though, nothing specific.

I would proceed on the current GH. Most fish species suited to what you now have will also be able to manage provided it is not extreme, and I wouldn't think this would be that.
 
As to the original question regarding canister media, I'd lose the bio-balls. They were designed for wet/dry trickle filters and just don't have as much surface area as ceramic medias. However, Having written that, I have my canister completely filled with sponge material (same as my HOB's). Also lose the carbon as it's short lived and somewhat unwelcome in a planted tank. Filter floss is okay, although I tend to think that fine sponge is more practical.
Tank On! Mike
 

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