Stocking

[SombreroBanana]

Hi,
I'm cycling a 20g long aquarium, and I'm thinking about stocking. I know for the most part what I'm getting, but I have a problem. I'm hoping to order from LiveAquaria, as there isn't a single fish store I trust near me. I don't want to pay shipping more than once, so I want to get my fish in one shipment, but a lot of people say this is a problem and can cause some fish to die. Is that true?

 

[elmo666]

Sure, occasioally, people will experience losses when fish are shipped, but this certainly isn't the norm. I have un-packed fish in th U.K. shipped from singapore and seen very few casualties. It's in the interest of the supplier to ensure the fish arrive safely. If they are packed correctly they will be fine. One word of polite caution, just don't be tempted to order too many initially as this may cause problems. Good luck and enjoy

 

[SombreroBanana]

Sure, occasioally, people will experience losses when fish are shipped, but this certainly isn't the norm. I have un-packed fish in th U.K. shipped from singapore and seen very few casualties. It's in the interest of the supplier to ensure the fish arrive safely. If they are packed correctly they will be fine. One word of polite caution, just don't be tempted to order too many initially as this may cause problems. Good luck and enjoy

This was my original question. Sorry if I didn't phrase it well. I was wondering if I would be able to get all the fish at the same time. Thanks.

 

[elmo666]

Right, I see. It is best to build your stock slowly. If you were thinking of ordering close to your tank capacity in one go, then no, that wouldn't work.

 

[Aquascaper]

I have to add....

If you have done a fish-in cycle then no, you will need to build up your stock slowly to allow the filter to catch up with the increased bioload.

If you have done a fishless cycle (using the appropriate quantity of ammonia) then your filter should be capable of handling the bioload from a full compliment of fish, so yes.

This is one of the main advantages of doing a fishless cycle rather than a fish-in cycle, you do not have to 'build up' the filter capability as you add fish because you have already prepared it (by adding a sufficient quantity of ammonia) for a full bioload.

HTH

 

[elmo666]

Right, I see. It is best to build your stock slowly. If you were thinking of ordering close to your tank capacity in one go, then no, that wouldn't work.

It would be better to add a few fish each week. If you add too many fish too quickly you run the risk of getting ammonia and nitrite spikes, a condition known as "new tank syndrome". It really is a shame you don't have a lfs, part of the joy of stocking a new tank is picking out your new fish face to face.

 

[elmo666]

Aquascapers advice is good regarding fish-less cycling, but as you didn't say I have erred on the side of caution, advising with fish-in cycling in mind. That said tho, and not knowing what you want to keep, I would still be nervous ordering a tanks capacity in one go. If you have done a fish-less cycle it has yet to be tested. With the best will in the world, whilst the tank is theoretically ready for those fish, you won't no for sure until you have them in there. I don't know, am either being careful or over-cautious, not sure which, and at the same time don't want to spoil your fun.

 

[Aquascaper]

Judging by your other posts you are doing a fishless cycle which means you are mimicking a tank full of fish by adding the same amount of ammonia that they would produce naturally. At the end of the cycle your filter is fully capable of processing this level of ammonia safely.

The idea is that you now substitute the ammonia you've been adding with fish capable of producing that amount themselves (ie. a full compliment of fish). If you add just a few fish the beneficial bacteria in the filter will die-off until they reach a level that can be sustained by the ammonia being produced by the few fish in the tank. When you go to add more fish the bacteria then have to multiply again to cope with the increase which takes time and can cause a mini-cycle until done. This is counter-productive and no different (other than not risking the lives of fish) than a fish-in cycle.

As long as you dose ammonia up until the time you get all your fish you can add all of them at once without compromising your filtration capability. A full water change to remove any leftover ammonia, allow water to get to temperature then add new fish using normal acclimatising methods.

You will (as you should when adding any new fish) have to keep an eye on parameters and be ready to do water changes in case of any small spikes (which in my experience is doubtful).

 

[fluttermoth]

Aquascaper is right, as long as the tank has been fishlessly cycled, up to four or five PPM. That's a lot more ammonia than the average tank of fish would produce, so all the necessary bacteria to deal with the wastes would be there before the fish went in.

It's one of the big advantages to doing a fishless cycle.

 

[SombreroBanana]

Judging by your other posts you are doing a fishless cycle which means you are mimicking a tank full of fish by adding the same amount of ammonia that they would produce naturally. At the end of the cycle your filter is fully capable of processing this level of ammonia safely.

The idea is that you now substitute the ammonia you've been adding with fish capable of producing that amount themselves (ie. a full compliment of fish). If you add just a few fish the beneficial bacteria in the filter will die-off until they reach a level that can be sustained by the ammonia being produced by the few fish in the tank. When you go to add more fish the bacteria then have to multiply again to cope with the increase which takes time and can cause a mini-cycle until done. This is counter-productive and no different (other than not risking the lives of fish) than a fish-in cycle.

As long as you dose ammonia up until the time you get all your fish you can add all of them at once without compromising your filtration capability. A full water change to remove any leftover ammonia, allow water to get to temperature then add new fish using normal acclimatising methods.

You will (as you should when adding any new fish) have to keep an eye on parameters and be ready to do water changes in case of any small spikes (which in my experience is doubtful).

I am fishless cycling, so theoretically my tank would be ready for close to a full stocking?

 

[snazy]

Theoretically, once cycled, you are done for a full stocking. Dosing 4-5ppm ammonia per every 12-24 hours is more than enough. You really have to have a couple of big oscar fish in the tank to produce that amount of ammonia a day so you shouldn't get any spikes generally.

 

[elmo666]

Well, this only serves to hi-light the great benefits of a forum such as this: I have learned so much, especially regarding fishless cycling. I have been uncannily lucky, never had to cycle a tank in a very long time, up-grading, buying full set-ups etc. My thoughts obviously are a little swayed by fish-in cycling, so, as I am good at grasping the technical stuff (teacher don't you know, lol) am off to read to my hearts content. Nice work aquascaper and fluttermouth!

 

[SombreroBanana]

Theoretically, once cycled, you are done for a full stocking. Dosing 4-5ppm ammonia per every 12-24 hours is more than enough. You really have to have a couple of big oscar fish in the tank to produce that amount of ammonia a day so you shouldn't get any spikes generally.

Awesome. I'll probably stock it slowly still just in case, but thanks.

 

[Aquascaper]

Just bear in mind if you stock too slowly then you'll need to allow time for the filter to catch up after each new additions as the filter capacity will always adjust to match the current bioload and there's no way (safely) to add ammonia whilst fish are in the tank to keep up the 5ppm level if the current stock doesnt produce that

 

[SombreroBanana]

Just bear in mind if you stock too slowly then you'll need to allow time for the filter to catch up after each new additions as the filter capacity will always adjust to match the current bioload and there's no way (safely) to add ammonia whilst fish are in the tank to keep up the 5ppm level if the current stock doesnt produce that

Yeah I'll probably stock one species a week. Maybe a little faster, depends on how quickly I can find the fish.