Add Fish All At Once, Or In Batches?

[mucklelass]

I am 4 days into cycling, aiming for 2ppm of ammonia. This is because I used tetra Safe Start, as I had no access to mature filter media or gravel. Tetra recommended 2ppm ammonia if using this product.

The tank is 29 galls (125 litres) and I hope to eventually have 1 bristlenose plec, 5 corydoras, 10 harlequin rasboras and 20 cardinal tetras.

Do you think that 2ppm is a good figure to continue with, or should I aim to increase ammonia to 3-4 ppm,?
Secondly, how many fish can I add once the tank is fully cycled. Some say all, others say stick to only a few at a time. I am interested in your opinions.

 

[Joshwainwright]

At the moment you should be aiming to dose 5ppm of ammonia until you reach the nitrite spike, this makes the cycle more efficient and faster. As for stocking, what would be the point in growing enough beneficial bacteria to deal with the waste produced by your full stock and then allowing some of it to die off?

 

[Dodders]

If I remember rightly the thinking is that the Safestart can't cope with that level of ammonia to begin with, hence the 2ppm. If you're going to spend out on it (I did too), probably best not to poison it straight away!

 

[mucklelass]

Thanks for that advice. I certainly thought that wasting good bacteria at the end of cycling didn't seem right. But as a beginner I need advice. So here are a few more questions.

1. Do you think I should gradually increase the ammonia? I am afraid that if I put too much in all at once, the bacteria I have begun to cultivate will be killed off.

2. Is 5ppm an arbitrary figure? Is that what a full quota of fish will produce?

3. Could I go for 3-4ppm and carry less fish at first? I guess I am a little scared at risking all the stock, even with a cycled tank,as I am so new at the hobby.

I will welcome any comments and advice. Thanks.

 

[mucklelass]

@Dodders. Thanks for your input. I have had a look at your log and it is very interesting.
I see that, though you began with lower levels of ammonia, you increased as time went on. That seemed to me to be common sense, but as a newbie I couldn't be sure.
I thinki I might follow your pattern. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dodders]

@Dodders. Thanks for your input. I have had a look at your log and it is very interesting.
I see that, though you began with lower levels of ammonia, you increased as time went on. That seemed to me to be common sense, but as a newbie I couldn't be sure.
I thinki I might follow your pattern. Thanks for the help.

It seemed sense to me, but it's not finished yet so take it with a pinch of salt! Your mileage may vary, as they say...

 

[doresy]

just to answer one of your original question.....add fish all together or gradually....

Once you have fully cycled your set up it is always good practice to carry on for a few days as sometimes you can get a glitch and if you have already added fish it can result in deaths.

Once you fully understand the cycling process you will know the answer to the question. Using the add and wait method of 5 ppm of ammonia you are simulating the waste produced by the approximate amount of fish to fully stock your tank. Once the amount of bacteria has formed to process this amount of ammonia (and the secondary bacteria to deal with the nitrite) then you need to keep feeding it. If you add only a few fish then their waste will not be enough to feed all the bacteria so some bacteria will die. Then you will be in a position of only being able to complete your stocking level by a couple of fish at a time (allowing the bacteria to multiply)to prevent what is known as a mini-cycle.

So the answer is to add all or most of you stock at the beginning if budget allows. If, however, you can only a few at the beginning then remember the rest has to be added in small batches with a week or so in between.......

Hope this clarifies....

 

[mucklelass]

Thanks Doresy. Yes, that is very helpful. I appreciate you tasking the trouble to explain.
Dodders, I wish you well. You seem to be well on the way to completing a cycle. I shall follow you with interest.
Thanks guys!