Tropical Fish To Fresh Water Fish, Help Needed

[andy_sheff]

I have just moved house, and I have moved my 180L tank, I sold my tropical fish as I am going to put fresh water fish in, the tank currently stands with cold decorticated water and new gravel.
The filter is in there the same as it was when the tropical fish was in, but I am not going to be getting any fish for a few days so I need to know whether I need to be adding ammonia to the water and if so how much. I need to make shore the bacteria is OK, if any one can give me some advice with this it would be a big help.

 

[chrisbassist]

If I were you I'd add ammonia to the water, just to make sure none of the bacteria die. they can live for a few days but stay safe... keep em fed.

 

[andy_sheff]

How much ammonia should I put in?
What PPM should I take it to?
I think I lost a lot of bacteria that was living under the gravel

 

[Curiosity101]

Tropical fish are freshwater fish. The types of freshwater fish are tropical, sub-tropical and coldwater. I'm guessing you mean you're going for coldwater fish now?

You should be aiming to take the tank to 5ppm. You need just under 9.5ml for the whole 180l if your ammonia is at 9.5%. Also you'll need to be waiting much more than a few days for your tank to fully cycle.

What filter are you using. The bacteria live on the filter media, normally this means they live inside of the filter. The only reason they would be in the gravel is if you were using an ugf.

 

[ellena]

How long is it since the tank had fish in? The bacteria will start to die off after 1 day and continue after that.
If you do mean coldwater, what sort of things are you thinking of having? Goldfish get very large and probably 2 fancies would be your max and then you'd need extremely good filtration.

 

[Curiosity101]

I don't know ellena, I reckon 3 fancies would fit comfortably in there with a good water change routine.

 

[chrisbassist]

Tropical fish are freshwater fish. The types of freshwater fish are tropical, sub-tropical and coldwater. I'm guessing you mean you're going for coldwater fish now?

You should be aiming to take the tank to 5ppm. You need just under 9.5ml for the whole 180l if your ammonia is at 9.5%. Also you'll need to be waiting much more than a few days for your tank to fully cycle.

What filter are you using. The bacteria live on the filter media, normally this means they live inside of the filter. The only reason they would be in the gravel is if you were using an ugf.

If it's had fish in before, I assumed the filter had already cycled, and this was to keep the bacteria alive, not to grow them from scratch....

 

[Curiosity101]

Like ellena said, it depends how long the tank has been fish free. From how you wrote it I figured it may have been awhile...
If it's only been a couple of days then you're right you'll just need to do a little mini cycle to get the numbers back up to a good level.

 

[andy_sheff]

The pump has not stopped pumping and has not been out of water, so I am presuming the bacteria will be fine as the fish only went this afternoon.
I will just top it up with ammonia until its processing 5ppm within 24h, its going to have two small koi carp until they get to large then thay will be moved elsewhere.
Thanks for the replys, you have been a big help.

hoof, fish tank noob

 

[Curiosity101]

Lol, I just figured selling fish and moving house would be longer than an afternoon!
But yeah this afternoon isn't a problem. Oh and if you ever need to work out how much ammonia to add again. Click on 'calculator' at the top of the page and scroll to the bottom of the page. Just input the numbers and out pops your amount.

 

[andy_sheff]

right then, i can post propperly now im at a pc and not ringing some one to tell them what to type for me, ivenot had the internet fitted yet!

I added some amonia, to take it to 5 ppm, checked it 24 hours later, it was still the same. I think my bacteria is dead i cant see how cos i have not done anything i shouldnt, im wondering if puttin it in the tank with very cold water has done something to it?

if it is the case that i have to start a fresh, im deffinately not going through the procedure of a fishless cycle again, that was a serious pain. any advice?

 

[meguro]

did u dechlorinate the new water?

 

[andy_sheff]

did u dechlorinate the new water?

ofcourse yes, always.

 

[andy_sheff]

if it comes to starting things like a fresh new tank, is fish in cycling the same with coldwater fish as tropical?

 

[ellena]

Yes it is. I did a fishless cycle on a filter in an empty tank with a heater, then moved it straight into an unheated tank. It was OK
What coldwater fish are you thinking of?