Newly Cycled Tank

[Broley]

Tank size 24 x 12 x 15 inches
Fishless cycle completed this week - ph 7.2 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 10 temp 77

Went to the LFS - a very reputable one that I had confidence in - somehow I got pursuaded to come home with Neons (6 very small) - I am now hoping these fish will be strong enough to deal with a new tank? LFS would not sell me any more fish - will my tank uncycle? It has been cycling ammonia 4ppm in 12 hours. LFS says to return in 7 days for 2nd lot and a month later for last fish. Do I consider going to another LFS now to add more fish to support the bioload - or do I add slowly as recommended?

Thanks!

 

[DanDanUK]

Tank size 24 x 12 x 15 inches
Fishless cycle completed this week - ph 7.2 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 10 temp 77

Went to the LFS - a very reputable one that I had confidence in - somehow I got pursuaded to come home with Neons (6 very small) - I am now hoping these fish will be strong enough to deal with a new tank? LFS would not sell me any more fish - will my tank uncycle? It has been cycling ammonia 4ppm in 12 hours. LFS says to return in 7 days for 2nd lot and a month later for last fish. Do I consider going to another LFS now to add more fish to support the bioload - or do I add slowly as recommended?

Thanks!

It's always wise to cycle your tank with one or more small cheap fish to help the cycle prosses and your supposed to let you tank cycle for around 4 weeks then you can buy more expensive fish to add to your tank. so the answer to your question no you don't need to consider going to another LFS just be patient and sort out your aquascaping and make sure all your parameters are a the correct levels.

 

[diademhill]

Tank size 24 x 12 x 15 inches
Fishless cycle completed this week - ph 7.2 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 10 temp 77

Went to the LFS - a very reputable one that I had confidence in - somehow I got pursuaded to come home with Neons (6 very small) - I am now hoping these fish will be strong enough to deal with a new tank? LFS would not sell me any more fish - will my tank uncycle? It has been cycling ammonia 4ppm in 12 hours. LFS says to return in 7 days for 2nd lot and a month later for last fish. Do I consider going to another LFS now to add more fish to support the bioload - or do I add slowly as recommended?

Thanks!

What other fish are you planning?
I'd wait two weeks before adding more fish & then a month to six months before adding any more depending on how delicate the fish are. Neons don't stand cycling but should be ok in a new tank that has been fishless cycled.
Six is a sensible number to start with. The bacterial colonies will reduce to a degree but they will soon increase when you add new fish but always add less biomass than is already supported.

 

[Broley]

thanks for that - puts my mind at rest. Fish have coloured up lovely today - I did acclimatize them very slowly yesterday.

Over time I would like to add a 2nd shoal - white clouds or rasboras and 5 pygmy cory's and possibly a pair of dwarf guarami if that is not overstocking.

Thanks for the help B)

 

[diademhill]

White clouds really do better in slightly lower temperature & are a bit similar in appearance so I'd either go for the Harlequins in a months time or add anther three neons
Pygmy corys tend to swim midwater so if you want bottom dwellers you may prefer something like arcuatus or trilineatus which don't get huge but wait a few months for corys.
A pair of dwarf gouramis would be ok but look at honey gouramis as they tend to be hardier IME.

Sue

 

[Broley]

Ok so white clouds off the list and pygmy cory's changed to other

what could I go for instead of the gouramis? Not sure I like the honey ones.

Never thought this would be easy!! was originally going for rasboras, group of guppy males and some cory's but lfs won't sell guppies in an all male group - then ended up with neons and weeks of planning down the drain and back to day 1 again!

 

[diademhill]

Ok so white clouds off the list and pygmy cory's changed to other

what could I go for instead of the gouramis? Not sure I like the honey ones.

Never thought this would be easy!! was originally going for rasboras, group of guppy males and some cory's but lfs won't sell guppies in an all male group - then ended up with neons and weeks of planning down the drain and back to day 1 again!

Many LFS sell only male guppies - don't even stock females.
Neons, guppies & corys would work.

 

[Broley]

Many LFS sell only male guppies - don't even stock females.
Neons, guppies & corys would work.

I was surprised when my LFS said no - might have to therefore find another stockist if I decide to go this route. There again he wasn't a fan of cory's either so maybe even just another assistant???

thanks Sue