I just finished doing a fishless cycle on a 75 gallon. Took a little over a month. So, now ready to add fish. Whats a safe level to get the NITRATES to before adding my stock of fish?
Final Nitrates Before Adding Fish
- Thread starter CharlesMTF
- Start date
What are the fish you're stocking, how big and how many? If you put a load of fish in there your current very new colonies of BB won't be able to handle the bio load and your parameters will go daft.
If you're showing 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and low levels of nitrate i'd do a large water change as mentioned and then start adding fish gradually to avoid putting too heavy a load on your new BB.
If you're showing 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and low levels of nitrate i'd do a large water change as mentioned and then start adding fish gradually to avoid putting too heavy a load on your new BB.
I plan on starting with an oscar and a JD, and a few smaller fish. Not completely decided on the total occupants, though. Right now I have the 0/0 ammonia/nitrite, and my nitrates range are quite up there. Probably in the 80-160. Could be more, but I am doing about 40% water changes daily right now. To keep the tank cycled, I drop in 5ml of ammonia daily, right after the water change. The ammonia converts fully to nitrate in about 20 hours (could be quicker, but I've only checked at around 20 hours). I would think putting in a handful of fish together should be fine, no?
The tank currently has two (2) Eheim Pro 4+ 600 canister filters running. I also have a Tidal 110 HOB on standby, should I need it. While the goal is to put fish in the 2"-3" range, this will only be for about a year (or less, if necessary). I have a 180 with other occupants in there, and will eventually move the oscar and anything else necessary into it.
Your beneficial bacteria won’t die overnight. You don’t need to feed them daily.
So a water change to get your Nitrates to around 5-10ppm and add your fish. Then just test and watch closely. Ramp up your feedings slowly. Your fish don’t need to eat every day especially at first. Might even wait a week to feed. Or maybe only one feeding. Then add a feeding a week until your to your desired feeding schedule. This will give time for your bacteria to catch up.
Good luck.
So a water change to get your Nitrates to around 5-10ppm and add your fish. Then just test and watch closely. Ramp up your feedings slowly. Your fish don’t need to eat every day especially at first. Might even wait a week to feed. Or maybe only one feeding. Then add a feeding a week until your to your desired feeding schedule. This will give time for your bacteria to catch up.
Good luck.