I’m currently cycling a 110 gallon and plan on getting 2 Oscar’s or similar cichlids and a bichir. Obviously when they are small they won’t be producing as much waste and I am concerned this may cause my BB population to drop. I assume the population will slowly grow as the fish do? Or could I keep a few small feeders in there to keep the bio-load somewhat large until the fish grow big enough to eat the feeders. New to a larger tank with fish that will grow to much larger sizes.
Will my BB population grow with my fish?
- Thread starter AllTanksNoRoom
- Start date
Yes, of course. The bacterial population grows just as large as the available food supply (ammonia) permits. As the fish gradually grow larger, and/or if you add more fish, the waste production increases and the bacterial colony does likewise. If no fish are added, the growth of both fish and bacteria is gradual and occurs pretty much without being noticeable to you, unless you monitor nitrates which will increase more and more rapidly.
If you add a bunch of fish at once, there is a sudden surge in ammonia production, which may cause a temporary ammonia "spike" for a day or so until the bacteria catch up with the new production level, which they do quite quickly. That's why one should not add too many fish, i.e. too much biomass, all at one time. It's also why not feeding for a day or so after adding new fish is helpful, as a lack of food will help mitigate the sudden ammonia spike.
If you add a bunch of fish at once, there is a sudden surge in ammonia production, which may cause a temporary ammonia "spike" for a day or so until the bacteria catch up with the new production level, which they do quite quickly. That's why one should not add too many fish, i.e. too much biomass, all at one time. It's also why not feeding for a day or so after adding new fish is helpful, as a lack of food will help mitigate the sudden ammonia spike.
No need to put the feeders in. Yes, the bacterial colony will grow with the fish. However, you will need frequent and large (volume) of water changes. Bacteria will process ammonia and nitrite, but not nitrate. The later will accumulate until remove with water changes. You will also need to vacuum feces and food remnants, and clean the filters often. I like to use prefilters but not everybody does. Good luck!