Tell Me This Is A Terrible Idea

[MegaZerino]

It's not a good idea, but i suppose its workable, but thats only if your filtration system could handle it. You would have to start up your tank and leave it for a couple of weeks to let the biological filtration system build up its strength. Then you should only add one or 2 fish each week, (i recommend adding the betta first). The advantage of adding 1 or 2 fish each week is that if your filtration system starts to crumble then you can remove the fish you last added and it shouldnt be a problem. Adding all those fish in one week would crash the system and create a huge amonia and nitrate spike. Also dont forget that when you buy the fish they will be young and will grow much much bigger, so plan ahead for that

Mate, the cycling method that Cezza is following allows sufficient bacterial growth in the filter to fully stock the tank in one hit. She is adding bottled ammonia to simulate the presence of huge quantities of fish. Once the filter is mature enough to handle the ammonia she is artifically introducing, she can stock to whatever level she likes.

In my opinion, the process of leaving a tank running for two weeks does nothing to mature the filter. In order to be mature, the filter needs bacteria. In order to grow bacteria, it needs the presence of ammonia, which it does not have without fish or by artificially introducing it yourself. I have to say that I disagree with this part of your post.

I would also suggest adding the betta last not first.


Cezza, it's your choice on whether to have the 2 species of tetra or just the one. I am sure the filter can handle it, so long as you're going to be on top of the water changes, and you're happy that the tank isn't going to be the aquatic version of the M25 on a rainy Tuesday, then you'll be fine. The only thing I would say is that one large shoal of one species can give more natural behaviour than 2 small shoals of 2 species. But like I said, your choice. If you want to do it, you do it.

sorry, yh you're right, i forgot to include the part about adding bacteria, its been a while since a cycled a tank, my bad

 

[the_lock_man]

It's not a good idea, but i suppose its workable, but thats only if your filtration system could handle it. You would have to start up your tank and leave it for a couple of weeks to let the biological filtration system build up its strength. Then you should only add one or 2 fish each week, (i recommend adding the betta first). The advantage of adding 1 or 2 fish each week is that if your filtration system starts to crumble then you can remove the fish you last added and it shouldnt be a problem. Adding all those fish in one week would crash the system and create a huge amonia and nitrate spike. Also dont forget that when you buy the fish they will be young and will grow much much bigger, so plan ahead for that

Mate, the cycling method that Cezza is following allows sufficient bacterial growth in the filter to fully stock the tank in one hit. She is adding bottled ammonia to simulate the presence of huge quantities of fish. Once the filter is mature enough to handle the ammonia she is artifically introducing, she can stock to whatever level she likes.

In my opinion, the process of leaving a tank running for two weeks does nothing to mature the filter. In order to be mature, the filter needs bacteria. In order to grow bacteria, it needs the presence of ammonia, which it does not have without fish or by artificially introducing it yourself. I have to say that I disagree with this part of your post.

I would also suggest adding the betta last not first.


Cezza, it's your choice on whether to have the 2 species of tetra or just the one. I am sure the filter can handle it, so long as you're going to be on top of the water changes, and you're happy that the tank isn't going to be the aquatic version of the M25 on a rainy Tuesday, then you'll be fine. The only thing I would say is that one large shoal of one species can give more natural behaviour than 2 small shoals of 2 species. But like I said, your choice. If you want to do it, you do it.

sorry, yh you're right, i forgot to include the part about adding bacteria, its been a while since a cycled a tank, my bad

Most people doubt the effectiveness of the bottled bacteria products, and that's not what Cezza is doing. She is adding bottled ammonia, instead of having fish produce it.

 

[CezzaXV]

Well, I've got 6 cardinal tetra and 6 julii cories now, and I must say the tank is looking kinda empty at the moment. I think I could quite comfortably add 6 more plus the betta, but I'm going to leave adding more fish for at least a few weeks.

I had a look the different types of fish at the LFS, and I must say the rummy nose tetras are the ones that have caught my attention the most so far.