My tank is finally cycled (using fishless method) and I am wondering if I can just take out 1/2 the water and add fresh, then move the fish into the tank?
Adding fish after cycle
- Thread starter Arizonagrace
- Start date
Once you set it up you shouldn't do a water change for at least 8 weeks from the start of the cycle. You should be good to add fish if you're sure the cycle is through. Start hardy.
I had the deli shrimp in there, and there is still a small piece of it left. I have been checking the params and it has been great for the last week now. I thought about adding 2 fish (15 gallons) at first and watching it carefully. I have a hob filter with bio wheel (meant for 30 gallons) as well as an internal filter (meant for 14 gallons).
I didn't know if I should add fresh water to it first though. I plan on making this a swordtail tank and will get 2 new swords and add them, then wait a couple of weeks until I am sure they are fine before adding the other 4 I already have in a 12 gallon.
I didn't know if I should add fresh water to it first though. I plan on making this a swordtail tank and will get 2 new swords and add them, then wait a couple of weeks until I am sure they are fine before adding the other 4 I already have in a 12 gallon.
Yeah all I've heard is the info I gave. Sorry if I said wrong. I just got done cycling a tank using fish and it would be good to hear from a couple different sources verifying this information. not that I don't trust it. I just want the right info and be sure about it before I jump into cichlids I've never done before.
For my $0.02:
I've only ever heard that you do very minor water changes during the cycle, just to keep ammonia and nitrite from harming your fish, but allowing the bacteria to build up.
Once your ammonia and nitrite is measuring 0, it means that the bacteria has built up enough to handle the organic waste in your tank.
From there, just conduct water changes as you normally would (ex. weekly, or when nitrates are high).
I've only ever heard that you do very minor water changes during the cycle, just to keep ammonia and nitrite from harming your fish, but allowing the bacteria to build up.
Once your ammonia and nitrite is measuring 0, it means that the bacteria has built up enough to handle the organic waste in your tank.
From there, just conduct water changes as you normally would (ex. weekly, or when nitrates are high).
It's not an issue to change the water. The bacteria colonize the filter and the substrate and not the water column. If your tank has cycled already, you can add the fish there.Arizonagrace;3195502; said: