Question About Cycling And Stocking

[KezJona]

Hey all,

I am currently cycling my tank, the link is below in my signature, but I just had a look at the AQ stocking calculator on my stocking levels for the fish my friend is currently looking after. Here is a brief description of my tank.

It can process 3.75 Ammonia in a 24 hour period when dosed to 4ppm. When dosed to 2ppm (half my stocking) it can process the 2.0 Ammonia and Nitrites within 12 hours.

I was going to wait for my cycle to finish but when I did a stocking calculator list for my tank, these following results appeared:

Now here is my logic behind the scenes. I will not be able to add any fish to the tank for a while anyway, so when my cycle completes processing 4ppm to Nitrites, then Nitrates in 12 hours I can add my fish, but my stocking level will only be 50%. So with not being able to add any other fish for a while surely all the extra bacteria that has developed will starve and die off, leaving my tank able to process the Ammonia and Nitrites into Nitrates to a level of 2ppm in 12 hours.

So, would it be possible to add my fish to my tank now? It can process 2ppm of Ammonia and Nitrite in 12 hours which is the key to the cycle, it is just developing the cycle for 4ppm of Ammomia and Nitrite right now.

I am not sure if my logic is correct here so please correct me if I am wrong, but surely wouldn't I be spiting myself by completing the cycle of 4ppm to end up with all that additional bacteria dieing off anyway?

Note: I do have a common pleco and understand they constantly release waste, however, he is only small still and when he gets bigger I will be donating him to another household.

Kez

 

[KezJona]

bump

 

[KezJona]

anyone?

 

[Liamm]

I would let your cycle finish and add more of each corydoras species since they like to live in groups

 

[KezJona]

I would let your cycle finish and add more of each corydoras species since they like to live in groups

I want to eventually add more fish, especially Cory's, but I won't actually be able to go to any LFS for the next 4-5 weeks as I have weekend plans for the next few weeks and having to work lates recently. So I just think my bateria will die off due to their not being enough stocking in the tank for 4ppm worth of Ammonia.

 

[fluttermoth]

Can't you just add the fish and the filter media (or the filter) that's with them now? Then you would be cycled, for those fish.

 

[KezJona]

Can't you just add the fish and the filter media (or the filter) that's with them now? Then you would be cycled, for those fish.

Well my current filter media in my tank that is cycling are catridges, my friends are sponges. So could I just put the sponges inside my hang over filter?? It is the Marina Slim S20. But my problem is, will the half the bacteria die off, as I only have half a stocking in my tank, when I have cycled my tank for a 100% stocking?

 

[Liamm]

I would let your cycle finish and add more of each corydoras species since they like to live in groups

I want to eventually add more fish, especially Cory's, but I won't actually be able to go to any LFS for the next 4-5 weeks as I have weekend plans for the next few weeks and having to work lates recently. So I just think my bateria will die off due to their not being enough stocking in the tank for 4ppm worth of Ammonia.

Why not just keep adding ammonia until you are able to purchase your entire stock? Or you could just leave for cories for now and add them later? That would allow you to add most of the fish you want now that your cycle has (half) finished.

Are you cycling your tank with a fish in it?

 

[KezJona]

I would let your cycle finish and add more of each corydoras species since they like to live in groups

I want to eventually add more fish, especially Cory's, but I won't actually be able to go to any LFS for the next 4-5 weeks as I have weekend plans for the next few weeks and having to work lates recently. So I just think my bateria will die off due to their not being enough stocking in the tank for 4ppm worth of Ammonia.

Why not just keep adding ammonia until you are able to purchase your entire stock? Or you could just leave for cories for now and add them later? That would allow you to add most of the fish you want now that your cycle has (half) finished.

Are you cycling your tank with a fish in it?

No it is a fishless cycle and I just don't fancy staring at an empty tank for another 5 weeks ;-) I know the usual steps would be to add fish gradually and do water changes, I am fine with that. I also know that my current fish would be in a healthy environment, but as Flutter stated, I can just add my friends filter media from his tank and have a fully cycled tank which would also be beneficial.

I shall ponder, just didn't want to jeopradise anything, but I think I have it sorted in my head. Definitely do want more Cory's though, just need to ID my current ones.

 

[Liamm]

I would let your cycle finish and add more of each corydoras species since they like to live in groups

I want to eventually add more fish, especially Cory's, but I won't actually be able to go to any LFS for the next 4-5 weeks as I have weekend plans for the next few weeks and having to work lates recently. So I just think my bateria will die off due to their not being enough stocking in the tank for 4ppm worth of Ammonia.

Why not just keep adding ammonia until you are able to purchase your entire stock? Or you could just leave for cories for now and add them later? That would allow you to add most of the fish you want now that your cycle has (half) finished.

Are you cycling your tank with a fish in it?

No it is a fishless cycle and I just don't fancy staring at an empty tank for another 5 weeks ;-) I know the usual steps would be to add fish gradually and do water changes, I am fine with that. I also know that my current fish would be in a healthy environment, but as Flutter stated, I can just add my friends filter media from his tank and have a fully cycled tank which would also be beneficial.

I shall ponder, just didn't want to jeopradise anything, but I think I have it sorted in my head. Definitely do want more Cory's though, just need to ID my current ones.

I totally missed the part where you said your friend already has your fish I got a little confused when you said you werent going to a LFS for another 4-5 weeks haha, i supppose a month or so wouldn't hurt.

 

[KezJona]

wouldn't hurt in terms of waiting do you mean, or the bacteria levels maintaining stablility during that month?

 

[Liamm]

I mean in terms of the corys being on there own. Your maths speaks for itself, it would be fine to add your current stock into the tank