Fish transfers.

[Jaivansh Bhatt]

Hi everyone,
I have around 30 fry in my 20ltr tank but they are getting bigger in size so I believe I will have to move then out. I have a 360 ltr tank which atm only has 3 tetras. It was setup a week ago and is a used tank with the same substrate, bio media and ceramic media. The only worry was that the person had taken the gravel out and the filter was also not running for almost 2 days which I am afraid mist have killed the bacteria. The last water test I did 2 days ago did show 10ppm nitrate. So the question is, is it alright to start moving the fry in the big tank 10 at a time? 10 this week, 10 next week and then 1 later? I have attached pictures below. Thanks

 

[CryptFan]

Test your water and report back, so we can make sure your cycle did not get interrupted.

 

[Essjay]

We need the ammonia and nitrite levels rather than nitrate. The nitrate could come from the tap water you filled the tank with - you can test the level in your tap water to see if it's the same as the tank.

However, 3 tetras won't make much ammonia, and in a 360 litre tank it will be very dilute and may not even register in a test. Even adding 30 fry won't make much impact. I would move them over but keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels; do a water change if either show more than zero.
If the filter media was even just damp, a lot of the bacteria in there would still have been alive when you got the tank. Yes, you will have lost the bacteria that were in the gravel, but hopefully there are enough bacteria left in the filter media to multiply and keep up with the ammonia as the fry grow bigger.
You have live plants in the tank which will help as well.

 

[Retired Viking]

You should consider adding some floating plants like anacharis, hornwort and water sprite are good choices and do a good job absorbing ammonia. Also neon tetra are for South American jungles streams so really need shade. You can also "plant" them and they are easy to care for, You have nice looking tanks,

 

[Jaivansh Bhatt]

Thanks for all the comments guys, really helps with the confidence. So just did my water tests.

left to right is ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite looks almost zero, nitrate is around 5.0ppm.
I am moving in the fry, just wanted to confirm if I should do a small water change or just leave it for another week.?
Putting in some seachem fluorite black and also will get some dwarf hair grass soon to put in some parts of the bed.
Please let me know any suggestions for stocking as well, planning on getting like 6 corys, 7 more neon tetras so a total of 10 of those, rest not sure.. ‍

 

[Jaivansh Bhatt]

We need the ammonia and nitrite levels rather than nitrate. The nitrate could come from the tap water you filled the tank with - you can test the level in your tap water to see if it's the same as the tank.

However, 3 tetras won't make much ammonia, and in a 360 litre tank it will be very dilute and may not even register in a test. Even adding 30 fry won't make much impact. I would move them over but keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels; do a water change if either show more than zero.
If the filter media was even just damp, a lot of the bacteria in there would still have been alive when you got the tank. Yes, you will have lost the bacteria that were in the gravel, but hopefully there are enough bacteria left in the filter media to multiply and keep up with the ammonia as the fry grow bigger.
You have live plants in the tank which will help as well.

I have added the water tests, could you please check and let me know what you think, thanks.

 

[Jaivansh Bhatt]

You should consider adding some floating plants like anacharis, hornwort and water sprite are good choices and do a good job absorbing ammonia. Also neon tetra are for South American jungles streams so really need shade. You can also "plant" them and they are easy to care for, You have nice looking tanks,

I live in Newzealand and the stores here don’t offer good quality olants. Would you know any online website or store that can deliver in New Zealand please.

 

[Essjay]

The ammonia and nitrite tests look to be zero, which is good. And nitrate is well below 20 ppm so also good

 

[Jaivansh Bhatt]

The ammonia and nitrite tests look to be zero, which is good. And nitrate is well below 20 ppm so also good

Thanks alot, I have moved in all the guppy fry, they seem to be staying on the top near the water surface alot but will see if it changes in a few days. Will keep posted.