Finally Cycled - Now What?

[travelling-guppy]

Hello all. I am thrilled that my Fluval Edge Tank is finally getting to the end of cycling.

It is day 45! Probably slower as the fluval edge heater is not adjustable to go to a higher temperature. The tank sits pretty much at 24 degrees C. My ammonia is falling to 0 in 12 hrs and Nitrites to 0 in 24 hours. I now realise that I need to know what to do next. I am planning to keep
3-4 male guppies
6 green neons

2 cherry red shrimp

Is that temperature ok or should I get a different heater?
Should I add a 1 fish at a time or add all of them when the tank has cycled?
How do I add new fish to a tank? Does it matter if the fish water cools down on the way back from the shop or should I do need to get some form of heating? (I am planning to shop about an hours drive away from my home.)

Thank for any advice.
Cheers

 

[gbailey141]

Hi there and well done on doing a fishless cycle. As it is a newly cycled tank I am not sure that the neons would be a good starter fish. Normally Neons need to be added to a mature tank as they don't normally survive long in recently cycled tanks. This may also be the case for the guppies but am sure another memeber can confirm this. As for the temperature, you should be ok at 24C but always read up on the fish you are wanting to get to make sure. It may be advisible to get a new heater in the future so you can adjust the temperature should you need to. To add new fish you need to float the bag in the tank to allow it warm to the tank temperature(I leave it for an hour or so).In your case I would also open the bag too as you would have had them in there for an hours travelling. After an hour add a cupfull of tank water to the bag every 5 mins for about half an hour. Finally use a net to catch and release the fish into the tank. Don't just empty the bag into the tank as you don't know what might be in the shops water. You should be ok to add similar sized fish you have listed straight away but then leave it for a couple of weeks before adding anymore.

 

[abih2005]

I'd recommend getting cardinals, but only a week after adding the first lot.

 

[the biffster]

i dont know whether
you can still get them
any more but i used to
get some bonny little fish
that i think would look nice
in the edge the rice fish
or some endlers livebearers
or micro rasbora

 

[waterdrop]

You could introduce all your guppies and enjoy them for a number of months and then introduce the green neons. WD