Cycling And Stocking Question

[sws]

Hi
New to this, so hope you can help me. I am currently running a fishless cycle on a 65L tank. I have a couple of questions. First, when the cycle is completed, can I stock a good number of fish immediately or should I build up slowly as with the fish cycle?
My second question relates to the fish - I am not sure what to stock with. I was thinking about 6 black neon tetras, but don't know how many fish I can have in total. Does anyone have suggestions for good, colourful and fun tankmates for the tetras? Something maybe a little bigger and maybe an algae eater as well? I was thinking about angel fish, but understand these are a little big and eat tetras!
Finally, what about plants - I was thinking about adding some when the cycle is over - are there any particular problems with keeping plants - only a few along with some plastic ones.
Thanks for the help
Shaun

 

[Miss Wiggle]

stock a reasonable amount of fish but not your full stocking. your tank will be cycled to cope with a good bioload but won't be mature so it can still be unstable therefore you need to leave yourself a margin for error. i'd aim for 75% of your final stocking. make sure you keep checking your levels of ammonia and nitrite for a few weeks after adding fish as things can sometimes go a little bit haywire

that's about 18 us gallons, so aim for 18" of small fish final stocking.

I'd go for 3 shoals of small fish, around 1", or 2 shoals and a pair/trio of 'centerpiece fish'

look at pygmy cories, c hasbrosus, c hastatus or c pygmyus..... but these shouldn't be added straight after cycling.

look at various tetra's and rabsbora's but make sure you check the sizes as some get bigger than others

then for centerpiece fish look at platys, swordtails, rams, apistogramma, dwarf gourami's

that should give you enough to start with!

 

[sws]

Thanks Miss Wiggle - very helpful (and speedy!)
Shaun