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I am just starting to re-setup a 20 USG tank that has been dismantled for a few months due to remodeling. I'm going to be getting all new fish for it because the old ones are quite happy in their new larger tank

I've been running the filter for the 20g on my 55g tank to keep the filter media populated with bacteria until I was ready to put it back on the 20g. I also have a large piece of driftwood and some plants that have bacteria on them that I plan to put back in the tank. The gravel and tank itself no longer have bacteria though. I plan to put the filter and decorations back in the 20 the day I get new fish for it. How many fish is it safe to start with in the 20, considering it won't really be going through a complete cycle. I was thinking of adding all 6-8 small harlequin rasboras at once...and then gradually adding the other fish over time. I may also use some of the water from my other tanks if it will help. Suggestions??

FYI:The other fish I was thinking of are cories or ottos for bottom feeders, a dwarf gourami or a betta, and maybe something like ghost shrimp or african dwarf frogs.

If the filters been running for 3-4 weeks on an established tank it should be good to go...but still stock slowly like you were planning .

I wouldnt' reccomend a betta for a filterd tank, many of them are tempermental around water current....then again there are some that relish playing in bubble wands :%).

Ghost shrimp are likely to be eaten, ADF often are too slow to get to the food and may need special attention during feedings. Both ottos and corys are schooling....if you're going with corys I'd suggest some of the smaller (under 2" corys). They need their frolicing room just like a 4 year old .

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You will still go through a mini cycle when you put everything back together. I would use water from your 55 gallon for the 20 so it is less of a shock for the bacteria. When you take the plants and drift wood out, try not to keep them out of the water more then a few seconds to minimize bacteria loss. The 6-8 harlequins would work to start out with. Dont know if they are the hardiest little things in the world. I would start with a few feeder goldfish and let them recycle the tank, then when its done you can take them back and get your desired stock. I just through mine in my pond when i use them LOL. Hope i have helped you some.

I think your plan sounds well thought out. I think your harlequins should be fine. I like the dwarf gourami idea. Have you considered kuhli loaches for the bottom instead of cories? That way you have all southeast asian fish.

Mo,

Babel has good advice. Since your filter is fully seeded you are ready to stock your aquarium. Your gravel and decorations have little or no bearing on your bio filter.

Having said that if you stock your aquarium slowly you may actually starve your bio-filter. Add your fish as it does not appear that you are stretching the capacity of the tank.

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What Bob said about starving the bacteria is something I had worried about. I was afraid I would either add too many fish and not have enough bacteria, or not add enough and have alot of the bacteria die off. I think to be safe I will just do the rasboras to start and then keep testing the water to see when I can add more fish.

Thanks everyone for the stocking suggestions. I have heard that some bettas aren't good in community tanks so even though I had very good luck with one in my 29g I think I will try a gourami for this tank instead. If I do go with cories I will definately get a small variety. I would like to try the ottos once I start to get some algae buildup, but I read they are delicate and can have a high death rate when first added. I love kuhli loaches and have been looking for more for another tank but can't find them anywhere. The ghost shrimp and frogs were not a sure thing for exactly the reasons babelfish stated.

Any more suggestions for some very small bottom feeders or something interesting to watch like the shrimp and frogs.?

Ottos are alot tougher then everyone thinks, i'm saying this from my accidental over 200 nitrate incident where my 3 ottos lived and my 3 dwarf puffers died off.