Fish stocking

[joshua123]

Hi everyone, Ive got a 22l and a 57l and wanted to stock the 22l with endler guppies (Male and female) and the 57l with common guppies (Male and female again). How many can i have in each? Also, the 22l is cycled but how long do I have to wait until the 57l is cycled while using quick start?

 

[Rocky998]

Hello! Welcome to the forum! What is the GH and KH of the water? Guppies need hard water, if they are kept in soft water they will develop kidney failure and die. 22L or 5 gallons is a small space but the 57L or 15 gallon is a nicer aquarium for fish... I would recommend just using the 15g but if you want, you can use the 5g for a shrimp tank... Some think dome fish are suitable in 5 gallons but I am one who believes that 5g is an emergency sized tank and the minimum size for any fish is 10g, but you may be able to have something like Killifish in there maybe, if you want... How are you cycling the tanks? You didnt really specify other than saying you're using the API quick start which I've heard isnt the best for cycling... I know, its weird... Also one last question, how long have the tanks been set up for?

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Agreed with @Rocky998
We need to find out your water parameters first, especially water hardness before stocking.
22litres is too small for any endler.

 

[joshua123]

Thanks for coming back! I measured the water parameters and showing you the results of both tanks. The first water parameter result is the 57l and the second one is the 22l

 

[joshua123]

The 57l has been set up for 5 days and the 22l I brought off a lady and kept the same water which is about 2 months old with 25% water changes each week.

 

[joshua123]

Got the plants now aswell

 

[Rocky998]

Got the plants now aswell

Nice! Plants are always the best in an aquarium!

The 57l has been set up for 5 days and the 22l I brought off a lady and kept the same water which is about 2 months old with 25% water changes each week.

What are you using to cycle the tank? Are you adding any ammonia? The 5 day tank is probably not cycled but if you've been doing the cycle ok on the 22L its most likely finished but still add 2-3ppm of ammonia to be sure.

Thanks for coming back! I measured the water parameters and showing you the results of both tanks. The first water parameter result is the 57l and the second one is the 22l

I dont trust strip tests at all but it looks like you have hard water BUT! You have a stone in the water which makes water hard. I would test your tap water to see if its hard or not... Fluctuations in GH and PH won't be good to the fish when you do water changes... It's always best to keep fish suited to your water amd not to add anything besides a conditioner... API sells a GH/KH test kit if you want to look into it but the strip tests should still give a result on whether the water is hard or not, just not as accurate as a drip test...

Hope this helps!

 

[joshua123]

Im adding fish food as the ammonia source and used the bacteria from a dirty filter, is that ok? A pinch of fish food once every 2 days. I'll get that test kit! Thank you for getting suggesting it All of my 3 fish tanks have hard water and how long do I need to wait for my 57l to be cycled?

 

[Rocky998]

Im adding fish food as the ammonia source and used the bacteria from a dirty filter, is that ok? A pinch of fish food once every 2 days. I'll get that test kit! Thank you for getting suggesting it All of my 3 fish tanks have hard water and how long do I need to wait for my 57l to be cycled?

Fish food is ok to use when cycling but its hard to control the amount of ammonia... If you are in the U.S, Ace hardware sells a 10% ammonia bottle which is what I use for cycling.... You dont HAVE to get it but it is easier to use once you know how much to add... If you are unable to get that form of ammonia you can look into other stores... Just make sure that it has no purfumes and doesnt foam up when you shake it. But again, this is just a better quality option and not a necessary item...

Media from a dirty filter is always really good! Always helps with cycling quicker...

All aquarium cycles usuqlly always take 3-6 weeks... We actually have an article all about how to cycle which I will share it below if you want to read it...

Cycle Your Tank! A Complete Guide For Beginners

Fishless cycling https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/ Silent or plant cycling https://www.fishforums.net/threads/planted-silent-cycling.470400/ Fish-in cycling...

www.fishforums.net

Hope it can help ☺

 

[joshua123]

That's brilliant, thank you so much for all of your help! Just a quick question when it's cycled how many guppies can I add to my 57l?

 

[Rocky998]

That's brilliant, thank you so much for all of your help! Just a quick question when it's cycled how many guppies can I add to my 57l?

Id say 10-12 maybe... but dont push it... If it were me I would start out with 8-9 and see how it goes. Remember, they breed really quick once they have completely settled in... Of course this also depends on water quality...

 

[Rocky998]

That's brilliant, thank you so much for all of your help! Just a quick question when it's cycled how many guppies can I add to my 57l?

I forgot to ask this... What are the dimensions of the tank (LxWxH)?

 

[joshua123]

More than I thought It's a fluval flex 15 gallon 40cm×39cm×40cm

 

[Rocky998]

More than I thought It's a fluval flex 15 gallon 40cm×39cm×40cm

That seems ok... Ive noticed Fluval likes to make weird sizes that are not best for some fish that need swimming space horizontally... I would only stick with around 9-11 guppies... Maybe 12-13 but thats pushing it just a bit

 

[joshua123]

Okay, thank you