its a 30 gallon tank w/50gal hob filter, the tank has been established for over a year. just wondering i would like to stock it again just don't know with what yet. thnx in advance.
how long will a tank stay cycled w/no fish?
- Thread starter dreamandscheme
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should i still do water changes? obviously less frequently but it was due b4 i got rid of the fish.
I would suspect that adding pure ammonia would be far better than allowing fish food to decompose in the tank...
Without adding an ammonia source I would expect the existing bacteria colony to immediately start dwindling and to last 4 days, no more than a week...
Without adding an ammonia source I would expect the existing bacteria colony to immediately start dwindling and to last 4 days, no more than a week...
get a couple of male guppies or a couple of danios, very cheap and will keep the bacteria alive. you also get something to look at while you decide.
Adding Guppies/Danios/Other will keep a small amount of the bacteria alive, but adding ammonia can keep a much larger quantity alive.
Basically the amount of food (ammonia) will determine the size of the colony. If the Guppies/Danios/Other are the only food source for the bacteria, the colony will only be big enough to support their bio load. Therefore when you add fish you will still have ammonia/nitrite spikes while the colony plays catch up. if you sustain the colony via adding pure ammonia then stop feeing a day or two before adding your Cichlids, the colony will likely be large enough to support them without experiencing any spikes.
So although adding small fish will work, adding ammonia will work much better...
Basically the amount of food (ammonia) will determine the size of the colony. If the Guppies/Danios/Other are the only food source for the bacteria, the colony will only be big enough to support their bio load. Therefore when you add fish you will still have ammonia/nitrite spikes while the colony plays catch up. if you sustain the colony via adding pure ammonia then stop feeing a day or two before adding your Cichlids, the colony will likely be large enough to support them without experiencing any spikes.
So although adding small fish will work, adding ammonia will work much better...
when u guys talk about adding ammonia is there a special aquarium ammonia or is it the regular household cleaning ammonia?
