After Tank Cycle, Would Too Little Stock Cause Problems To Bacteria?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
P

Pazzoman

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2009
3,005
50
81
New York
Hey everybody!

My tank had finished cycling about a week ago. It is able to bring down 4ppm ammonia down to zero in less then 12 hours. I did the 90% water change and got my shipment from liveaquaria. Apparently all the fish I ordered wernt instock...so I was left with 5 (1 inch) clown loaches...they are adjusting to my tank since the past 2 days...they are eating blood worms and NLS baby growth pellets. Would me having just these loaches in the tank maybe for a week or two before adding any more fish weaken my beneficial bacteria?
Or I should get more fish? I figured I wait a little bit for the loaches to adjust as thier are probably the most fragile...thanks and its a 72 gallon bowfront with 33 gallon sump.

I have been having extra food land on the sand and not be eaten as Im throwing in little extra as thier new and of coarse I'm worried about my 2 month cycle would be wasted when larger fish are added some time in the future.

Thanks A Million! Test results are all great except for the nitrates being under 10...would like it to hit zero but that would be difficult...however is safe so Im not to worried.
 
Any ideas? I', going to an lfs in NJ tomorrow, so maybe I could pick up some large peaceful community fish that wont bother the young clowns...maybe a severum
 
You should be fine. If your tank cycled and you stopped adding ammonia or didn't add any fish then your BB would die off. Just keep an eye on your water paramaters any time you increase stock.
 
Essentally you tank will always be adjusting the cycle. BB will grow and depleat to ajust to the amount of stock you have. Just be careful to not increase you stock level drastically in a short period of time. From what I understand BB can double itself in about 24 hours if food and oxygen are present.
 
Bderick67 said:
Essentally you tank will always be adjusting the cycle. BB will grow and depleat to ajust to the amount of stock you have. Just be careful to not increase you stock level drastically in a short period of time. From what I understand BB can double itself in about 24 hours if food and oxygen are present.
Click to expand...

This along with the pH being in the correct range and the temperature not being too low. Just aim for very small feedings each of the first few days, then double that, for a few days, then normal feedings. Under optimal conditions, your BB will increase by over 100 fold in a week which should be fine. Watch readings in case there's an issue.
 
Ok thanks slowly adding fish, currently I have 5x clown loaches and 6x silver dollars....all 1.5 inches or smaller.

Thanks everyone, also adding a cap of stabilizer everyday (will probably always be adding a cap everyday)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom