What To Do After Cycle?

[firsttimefishboy]

I'm in a fishless cycle and have plenty way to go yet but was wondering about a few things. When the tank is fully cycled do you need to add all chosen fish in one go so to keep bacteria levels up? Also, how soon after finishing cycling can you clean the filter and how does this effect the bacteria?
Thanks

 

[Whitey_144]

I'm in a fishless cycle and have plenty way to go yet but was wondering about a few things. When the tank is fully cycled do you need to add all chosen fish in one go so to keep bacteria levels up? Also, how soon after finishing cycling can you clean the filter and how does this effect the bacteria?
Thanks

The bacteria will only cover the bioload it's given, if this is increased they will need time to increase in numbers. If for example you started with two small fish for a few weeks, the bacteria would lower in numbers as the extra bacteria wouldn't have food to keep going, then if you added more later on, there would be a lag for the bacteria to have to build up to cope with the new extra bioload demand. if your cycling at 4ppm, once completely cycled i believe it's fine to add all if not most of your stock in one go, you've basically been pretending to be fish ppo for a lot of fish with your ammonia dosing.

I've just added fish today and i am going nowhere near the filter in this first week, although i will be doing at least 1 water change (more depending on stats). I'll be checking the filter in a fortnight, and maybe giving a couple of bits of filterfloss a quick rinse in old tank water to ensure the flow isn't reduced, make sure not to do it with tap water! you could probably clean the filter earlier, but if its fine why risk disrupting the bacteria. I had a powercut for 1hr and the bacteria went dormant for 2 days..i dont want to do that again just now.

hope that helps,
~AW~

 

[Caprichoso]

Don't add too many fish at once or you will get an ammonia spike.

For instance, in my 30g tank, after it was cycled, I added 10 fish, then I waited. After a month, I added more.

Once you have a healthy bacteria colony going, you don't need to a lot to keep it going.

As for when to clean out the filter media, that is a touchy subject. IMO, I would only change out the chemical filters(charcoal, coarse, fine filter pads,ammonia bag, etc, whatever of these is applicable for you). There is no time frame. The manufacturers of these products will tell you that you have to replace them monthly but thats just a $ sham IMO. You'll be fine every other month. The other sham is that you don't need to use these things unless you're medicating your tank.

The only one I would change more regularly is a water polishing pad if you have one(it keeps the water crystal clear:every month). But it is all dependant on how much detrius is going into your filter, so just have a look every so often and decide from there.

Any of your biological bits should only ever be rinsed(with tank water) when and if they become really heavily clogged and should only be done, one at a time so as not to upset the biological balance in your tank. So, minimal filter cleaning and don't touch the biological bits(sponge, ceramic rings, etc) or you could harm the bacteria.

Hope that helps?