Questions regarding 20g cichlid tank.

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scottswald01

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 4, 2014
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England
ok, I've got a 20 gallon tank with a female convict and a female firemouth. convict is about 1" and firemouth 1.5" - The tank has only been running for 3 days or so

got a few questions:

1.how often should I do water changes since its not cycled?

2. they seem shy and hide a lot - will this change?

3. They are very slow for coming up for pellets , they don't seem too interested- will this change?
 
Answers:

1- How Long was the tank running before you added the fish? If by 3 days you mean the fish have been in there since day one then keep an eye out for an ammonia spike... Your fish could go from normal to dead in a hurry.

If you plan to keep them in there while it cycles then daily water tests are the way to go...

2- All the Meeki and convict ive owned are shy at first, they'll swim the whole tank in a matter of days.

3- See answer 1. Make sure theyre still healthy as meeki and convict are fast swimmers and always dart to food. Id say slow moving and not eating would be a concern.

Please keep a close eye on the water.
 
Get a liquid water test kit. Api

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Fish should be added once the tank is fully cycled. If it is not, your fish are at risk. A test kit is a good idea.
At this size, I would use flake food as the staple, adding pellets once they exhibit a strong hunger. Get the smallest pellets and graduate to larger as they grow and can physically handle them.
As to water changes, I would do 2/week with this small of a tank. I would also plan on an upgrade as these fish grow out. They will need a larger tank. A 55g would work well.


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Thanks guys

Yeah, the tank was setup just a matter of days before so its not cycled at all really - I guess I was thinking that size fish couldn't produce much ammonia.

I've heard little dithers may help with shyness but tank will already be overstocked at some point
 
You may get away with 2 tiny fish in the tank not being cycled, but don't add any more fish until it is truly cycled, which could take 6 to 8 weeks, unless you can acquire a seasoned filter.
As stated above, a test kit should on your must have list, and when (if) it starts showing an ammonia spike, large daily water changes should be a part of your routine until the tank is cycled.
 
Dont add dithers until the tank matures.

Like i said before your main concern should be getting ready for the amonia spike. The size fish doesnt matter as some people cycle with food alone...you have food plus waste. If theyre not eating alot be careful with overfeeding. Take out the pellets they dont eat.

Once again. Testkit, daily water tests and big water changes if the numbers are high.

Once your settled you can do a small school of dithers at the top, or some tiny corys at the bottom. That should bring them out some but if youve only had them for 3 days im sure theyll come out on their own.
 
thanks again guys, will get a test kit.

I've only been putting 2-5 mini pellets in a day since they can take 5-10 mins to come up per pellet!
 
Do you have any other tanks set up? This only works if you have at least 2 but I like to keep at least 1 spare filter running on my 75 gallon incase I ever get a new tank, add the cycled filter, a handful of seeded gravel, and possibly a piece of decor from an established tank and you're pretty much cycled. Not saying don't monitor water and skip water changes but it certainly adds a good bit of bacteria.
 
just 1 tank mate - the tank and filter + gravel etc is second hand so had been cycled but was empty for almost a week before I got it so I assume all nitrifying bacteria is dead?
 
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