When Adding Fish...

[Matthewh]

I'm planning on getting a 30 gallon planted tank in the future with 8-10 cardinal tetras, 8-10 rummy nose tetras, 4-5 cory's and 2 Bolivian rams.
After the tank is fully cycled I was wondering on what fish would be best to add first and how many at a time. Also how long to wait between adding different species.
Thanks in advance

 

[FreshwaterAfishianado]

If you use that stocking then I would add the tetra first, about 5 at a time, and give a few days between each batch of 5 testing your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate until they stabalize again. Then the cories, again testing daily, and lastly the rams.

However I think the stock could use a little tweaking. It is generally advized to keep cories in groups of at least 6, the more the merrier. And I would keep a larger school of one species of tetra rather than 2 species, but that's more personal preference as either of those species will do well with 8-10. Sounds like it will be a great looking tank though.

 

[the_lock_man]

The major benefit of fishless cycling, or certainly by using the method we recommend (see here) is that you can add all your fish in one go. The ammonia builds up such a sizeable colony of bacteria that you have plenty to process the ammonia produced by a full tank of fish.
 
It's a bit difficult to comment upon your stocking, since you haven't said which species of cory you are going for - having something big like a peppered cory would take up more room than something smaller like a panda cory.
 
Personally I think rummynoses need something a little longer than a 30gal can provide, but 10 cardinals, 6 rummynose, 6 panda cories and 2 rams would look superb, IMO.

 

[Matthewh]

Yeah maybe a smaller school of 6 rummies would be better. I was in debate over panda corys or Sterbai corys. I will read over that cycling process again too thanks

 

[draxis]

Once it is a cycled tank, I would not worry so much about 'how much at once'.  Some people may tell you otherwise but if you ever watch a professional setup (TV show, or other documentary) they will add cycled water, filters, etc. and then all fish (if they will risk $2000+ of fish...) it probably is fine.  The trick is making sure you really are cycled first.  Checked the ammonia/nitrites the following day to ensure no issues were created; if so just do a water change depending on the reading.  If it is really high; 90% WC.  If for example nitrites are 0.25, do a 50% and they should now be 0.115. 
 
One trick to remember is to float the bags adding water from your cycled tank every 5 minutes for 30 minutes.  I have added 50% of a tanks capacity and had no issues.  I follow these tips.

 

[Matthewh]

Yeah I'll buy a water testing kit