Introduction Order

[fishygurl]

In what order would you introduce these fish:

cherry barbs penguin tetras dwarf gourami pepper cories.. Also can i ad half of a school at a time are should i introduce the whole school at once?

 

[modernhamlet]

Fishless cycle or not?

 

[fishygurl]

Its in the process of being fishless cycled.... but after

 

[dwarfgourami]

The corys can go in after the cycle is finished. Probably the barbs too. Have no experience of penguin tetras. Probably best to wait a bit with the gourami.

 

[modernhamlet]

None of those fish is really "sensitive" (i.e. needing of a mature tank), so I would say all at once would be fine... ONLY IF you're fishless cycling properly, not overstocking, and have adequate filtration.

What fishless cycle process are you using?
What filter are you using?
What tank size?
What is your stocking plan (how many of each)?

 

[SkiFletch]

None of those fish is really "sensitive" (i.e. needing of a mature tank), so I would say all at once would be fine... ONLY IF you're fishless cycling properly, not overstocking, and have adequate filtration.

What fishless cycle process are you using?
What filter are you using?
What tank size?
What is your stocking plan (how many of each)?

what he said

 

[fishygurl]

None of those fish is really "sensitive" (i.e. needing of a mature tank), so I would say all at once would be fine... ONLY IF you're fishless cycling properly, not overstocking, and have adequate filtration.

What fishless cycle process are you using?
What filter are you using?
What tank size?
What is your stocking plan (how many of each)?

When ammonia is brought up up 30 and ammonia and nitrites go back down to 0 within 12 hours
Power filter... NOt sure which brand
20 gallon long
6 Cherry Barbs 6 penguin tetras 3(or 4??) Pepper Corys 1 male dwarf gourami (or mabye a powder blue not sure)

 

[modernhamlet]

My only concern would be with the "30" in your answer about ammonia. 30 what? Usually people measure ammonia in parts per million (ppm). The normal ppm levels for a fishless cycle would be around 4 or 5ppm.

Otherwise, it sounds like you've thought it all out fairly well. I'd go with everyone at once as soon as the cycle and big water change are complete.

 

[rdd1952]

If you do a proper fishless cycle, you should add ALL your fish at once. Otherwise you will defeat the purpose of the cycling process. If you only add half your fish, some of your bacteria will die off since there isn't enough waste/ammonia to keep them fed. Then when you do add more fish, you will end up with a mini cycle.

Having said that, the fish you are planning on adding will definitely overstock a 20 gallon tank. That totals close to 40" of fish in a 20 gallon tank. You would have to have major over filtration (something rated for at least a 55 gallon tank) and keep a very strict maintanence schedule (minimum of 25% water chane weekly, preferably twice a week). You would also need to have used one of the most aggressive fishless cycling methods that adds ammonia every day from the start.

 

[fishygurl]

Typo i meant 4 ppm

I dont think its over stocking

many people have said this is fine.. (and not just pet stores also friends that have kept tanks for years...)

what do you other people think??

 

[modernhamlet]

Typo i meant 4 ppm

I dont think its over stocking

many people have said this is fine.. (and not just pet stores also friends that have kept tanks for years...)

what do you other people think??

I don't think you're dangerously overstocking or anything, but you don't give yourself a lot of leeway. Personally, I would do 4 things to make sure everything worked out for the best:

1. Go with 2 fewer cherry barbs (1M:3F).
2. Make sure I was overfiltering.
3. Dedicate myself to staying on top of water changes.
4. Plant the tank.

 

[fishygurl]

Im already doing all that.

 

[B2k2]

If you do a proper fishless cycle, you should add ALL your fish at once. Otherwise you will defeat the purpose of the cycling process. If you only add half your fish, some of your bacteria will die off since there isn't enough waste/ammonia to keep them fed. Then when you do add more fish, you will end up with a mini cycle.

Is this really how it should be done when a fishless cycle has ended? I thought you could still add fish gradually but had a choice whether to fully stock your tank.

 

[fishygurl]

so did i...
Actually i thought you were supposed to... to let the bacteria grow with the fish population.. Is this wrong?

 

[modernhamlet]

so did i...
Actually i thought you were supposed to... to let the bacteria grow with the fish population.. Is this wrong?

The point of the fishless cycle is that when it's done, you've already built up that bacteria well beyond the needs of even your fully stocked tank. The only reason you wouldn't fully stock would be that you want to include a more sensitive fish into your mix, like otos or blue rams, that prefer a mature tank. In that case, you stock everything else, give the tank 4-6 months, and then add them.

Hope that makes sense...