Another question about cycling

[lovebuzz]

So I've done some reading and people say cycle with 2 or 3 danios per ten gallons. Once this is done doesn't the filter just have enough to support that much bioload? I don't know if I've very clear on this

Ok, I get the 3 danios and decide I don't just want them for cycling, I want to keep them. So I cycle with those 3 danios and have grown enough bacteria to support their bioload. Then I want to get 4 harlequin rasboras. When I add these won't the ammonia levels just spike again? Because if you have only enough bacteria to support 3 danios and then suddenly add 4 rasboras I don't think the bacteria would be enough Can someone explain this to me?

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

try and use Cycle by Hagen, i use it when i set up a new tank and i dont have to wait 2+ weeks to add fish, maybe 12 hours max then i add away, and i've never lost a fish due to water conditions so i must be doing something right

 

[lovebuzz]

Umm that wasn't exactly answering my question I don't think, but, I don't believe in those things but may give it a shot one day.

Can anyone answer my original question?

 

[OohFeeshy]

I can see where you're coming from, but surely even if there was only enough bacteria for the danio's, because the bacteria are in there, they can multiply enough for the other fish?.... I think cycling is just to start growing these bacteria..

 

[lovebuzz]

Anyone else got anything to say? I may want to post this in tropical chit chat because I'm not getting too many replies here

 

[Fiori]

As I understand it, the cycling gets the necessary bacteria growing so that the tank will tick along nicely once they are all established. However if you add too large a bio load at one time, even in a cycled tank, you may upset the system and get ammonia/nitrite spikes, as the bacteria would be unable to cope with an excessive additional load all at one time. The best thing to do is just add a couple of fish at a time and not overload the bacteria.

 

[lovebuzz]

Alright. So after some reading on sites it says to cycle enough for 1 small fish you should be done in two weeks because it's a small bioload. Then add another small fish or two of the realyl small ones (white cloud minnows maybe) and wait another two weeks. Then add one more small fish and wait another two weeks. By this your tank would be the equivalent of a normally cycled tank and you can start adding fish more rapidly.

Do water changes once a week.

This sounds about correct to me, anyone wanna make sure of this for me?

Soooo.....

I've got my betta in my ten gallon , water changes once a week, it is already past two weeks so anytime now I can add two white cloud minnows, then wait two weeks. Then get one more fish, most likely an otocinclus or two rasbora espei or rasbora heteromorpha. If I go with the rasboras, I'd wait two more weeks and then add 2 more rasboras to finish the school. If I went with the otocinclus, I would go for the rasboras now. Then lastly once I'm done I might add two more white clouds so that those two originals can school with them, or one more oto so that the other one doesn't get lonely.

I thought this out and did a lot of reading and as soon as I get my test kit I think I'll do it. I have two or 3 extra small tanks lying around that I can use if things get out of hand and the fish need to be rehomed until the tank is cycled.

I think I typed too much

 

[OohFeeshy]

If your betta is cycled, you could add some gravel from the betta tank into the other...?

 

[corykitty516]

Ummm I think I read everything sooo....

yes ... if you add fish slowly a few at a time then you can gradually increase the amount of bioload the filter can handle. Keep an eye on your water parameters and if you get a spike in any levels after adding new fish a partial waterchange will help to keep them alive. Avoid product that bind ammonia.

so do you have a 10 gal? If so that is a bit small for danios. They may be small but they are zippy little swimmers and need lots of space. They also need a group of 5.

About adding an oto ... they need a group of 6 and you should really wait until you have a good bit of algae established or they could starve. Even with algae they need to be supplimented with algae discs and fresh veggies. They are also notoriously hard to keep alive (I'm dealing with a few of these currently and not having an easy time)