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	Stocking a tank after cycling....
Fishguy101 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 170 Votes: 0 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	I have heard that when you stock a tank you should only add fish slowly week by week. And I have also heard that if you cycled you can dump all of the fish in after cycling. What is the correct method?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Klee Banned Posts: 420 Kudos: 307 Votes: 0 Registered: 25-May-2004	How about stocking gradually after cycling?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Fishguy101 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 170 Votes: 0 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	I am up for anything you all suggest.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
justicerulesok Enthusiast Posts: 195 Kudos: 161 Votes: 2 Registered: 27-Jun-2004	I'm new to this, but I cycled my tank and have added 2 fish every 5 days & it's ok so far. As the numbers changed quite a lot when i doubled form 2 -4 & had to do water changes I think thats less stressful for us (let alone the fish) to go slow. hope it helps.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
jake Fish Addict Posts: 594 Kudos: 875 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Mar-2004	If you are using hardy fish to cycle your tank, then you add them gradually. If you are doing a fishless cycle using clear, non-detergent ammonia, then once you have cycled you can add all the fish at once. If you are using Bio-Spira ( a biological additive), then supposedly you can add all the fish at once as soon as you add it. http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html http://www.worldcichlids.com/faqs/cycling.html
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	Patience is the most important word in fishkeeping.. go slowly.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
amilner Big Fish Posts: 429 Kudos: 654 Votes: 0 Registered: 05-Jul-2004	Gradual build up for optimum results. I'm not so sure that a tank can 'fully cycle' without the presence of fish to produce the waste but I certainly wouldn't throw everything in at once - how can any system (mature included) cope with such a massive increase in bioload and be expected to maintain balance?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	if you cycle a tank wiht synthesized ammonia, you can simulate a bioload of full stock by the amount of ammonia you add to the tank.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
amilner Big Fish Posts: 429 Kudos: 654 Votes: 0 Registered: 05-Jul-2004	Thanks for that. Can I ask how long it would take to 'mature' a 48x15x18 tank? [span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-07-07 14:42][/span]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
solublefish Fish Addict Posts: 562 Kudos: 850 Votes: 40 Registered: 27-Feb-2004	It takes about a month for a tank to fully cycle (doesn't matter the size).
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
MDSalty Hobbyist Posts: 99 Kudos: 115 Votes: 5 Registered: 29-Mar-2004	You need to get yourself some test kits to accurately measure your water conditions. It is the only wasy to know for certain that your tank has cycled. The time it takes to cycle depends on the method, etc. and it can happen in less than a week, or as much as six weeks. There are a lot of variables. Also, each time you add another fish, etc. your tank can experience a mini cycle until the bacteria in your tank reach a level of equilibrium again. It is less stressful to the fish to add them slowly, the most peaceful and timid first, the most active/territorial last.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
Fallout Moderator Communications Specialist Posts: 6416 Kudos: 4053 Votes: 742 Registered: 29-Jul-2000	If you do it right, there won't be any noticeable ammonia increases when you add fish after cycled.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
MaloK Fish Addict Posts: 752 Kudos: 233 Votes: 0 Registered: 09-Dec-2001	if you did a fishless cycle than you should fully stock the tank at once after it's done to prevent draw back in the colony. if you cycle with fish you should add them slowly to let the colony increase accordingly and prevent deadly level of ammonia and nitrite to occur. keeping a bacteria starter on hand is very advisable in case something goes wrong you can kick start the colony if you need to.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57
amilner Big Fish Posts: 429 Kudos: 654 Votes: 0 Registered: 05-Jul-2004	I'm not a 'stickler' for 'old fashioned things work best' but it does sound like the tried and tested, slow build up would be the best for the inhabitants in the long run. Everybody (and tank too) is different but I still feel that allowing the water to mature as the stock increases has got to be more beneficial than 'guessing' the stocking to match the ammonia and risking the lot.... just my opinion but thanks for the new info.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:57


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