Filter Needs

[elmo666]

Hi. Story in brief. Had 2 x 5" oscars causing havoc (and alot of damage) in my 100gallon tank.....they are now in a new home. The tank looked pretty bare without them, just 4 fish remained. 1 x 10" oscar, a large tinfoil barb about 8", a 10" sailfin plec and a 10" pangasius cat. So, bit the bullet, they are going tomorrow, and am reverting to a mixed community prior to introducing discus after my wedding in Sept. As you can see, I had around 48" of fish, and very hungry/messy ones at that. I can't stock that many tomorrow, and besides I don't expect these fish will produce anywhere near as much waste as the old ones. The new fish will be in place after an hour or so, I am doing a 50% water change later to freshen up the tank for them. My concern is that my filters may become "starved" and as such die to some degree. I have no experience of down-sizing stock wise, nor of the affect this may have on the biological process. Could anyone offer any advice please? Thanks

 

[mhancock]

Hi. Story in brief. Had 2 x 5" oscars causing havoc (and alot of damage) in my 100gallon tank.....they are now in a new home. The tank looked pretty bare without them, just 4 fish remained. 1 x 10" oscar, a large tinfoil barb about 8", a 10" sailfin plec and a 10" pangasius cat. So, bit the bullet, they are going tomorrow, and am reverting to a mixed community prior to introducing discus after my wedding in Sept. As you can see, I had around 48" of fish, and very hungry/messy ones at that. I can't stock that many tomorrow, and besides I don't expect these fish will produce anywhere near as much waste as the old ones. The new fish will be in place after an hour or so, I am doing a 50% water change later to freshen up the tank for them. My concern is that my filters may become "starved" and as such die to some degree. I have no experience of down-sizing stock wise, nor of the affect this may have on the biological process. Could anyone offer any advice please? Thanks

I've never done it, but would assume that bacteria in the filter that then don't have enough food would die off until the amount of bacteria is correct for the new level of stock. The only issue will be allowing the levels to go back up slowly enough when you add the new fish. If it's only without fish for an hour or two then you'll be fine though.

 

[elmo666]

Thats what I was hoping, guess I just wanted a little re-assurance. Thanks for your reply