How long before I add fish ?

scarysdad · 07/02/2008, 02:02 AM

My new FOWLR set up is nearing the end of its initial cycle(NO2 down from >5 to 0.25 in the last 2 days); how long now do you guys advise waiting until I add my first fish.....was looking at starting with 2 juvies....

I know most people would start by adding the 'clean up crew' of inverts but since I will be keeping at least 1 trigger I suppose inverts are out......

Any input welcome...

Craig

kau_cinta_ku · 07/02/2008, 02:13 AM

wait till your ammonia and nitrites both read 0ppm for 2 weeks, do a water change to lower your nitrates and then you will be ready to add 1-2 fish.

scarysdad · 07/02/2008, 08:56 AM

Thanks Sam....much of what I expected.....

can somebody answer me this tho'.... ok once the initial cycle is over there is no longer any food for the bacteria as there is no ammonia/waste in the tank so much of these beneficial bacteria begin to die basically becoming food for algae so the 'bloom' begins....so why don't we add fish as soon as the NO2 goest to 0 for say 48hrs the same as in FW tanks.....?

Just curious.....I also thought of adding a prawn or 2 just to keep the bacteria fed(rotting prawn = NH3) so the tank would be more ready for the fish bioload....or do we actually want the algae blooms to 'settle' the new tank.....

sorry for being a noob,,,,

07/02/2008, 02:02 AM	#1
scarysdad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 86	How long before I add fish ? My new FOWLR set up is nearing the end of its initial cycle(NO2 down from >5 to 0.25 in the last 2 days); how long now do you guys advise waiting until I add my first fish.....was looking at starting with 2 juvies.... I know most people would start by adding the 'clean up crew' of inverts but since I will be keeping at least 1 trigger I suppose inverts are out...... Any input welcome... Craig

07/02/2008, 02:13 AM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	wait till your ammonia and nitrites both read 0ppm for 2 weeks, do a water change to lower your nitrates and then you will be ready to add 1-2 fish.

07/02/2008, 08:56 AM	#3
scarysdad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 86	Thanks Sam....much of what I expected..... can somebody answer me this tho'.... ok once the initial cycle is over there is no longer any food for the bacteria as there is no ammonia/waste in the tank so much of these beneficial bacteria begin to die basically becoming food for algae so the 'bloom' begins....so why don't we add fish as soon as the NO2 goest to 0 for say 48hrs the same as in FW tanks.....? Just curious.....I also thought of adding a prawn or 2 just to keep the bacteria fed(rotting prawn = NH3) so the tank would be more ready for the fish bioload....or do we actually want the algae blooms to 'settle' the new tank..... sorry for being a noob,,,,