How many fish can i add after a fish-less cycle

[leo12345]

I just finished cycling my 29g tank and all my parameters are 0 and tomorrow i was going to pick up two clownfish a cardinal fish and a hermit crab but i dont need the hermit crab right now. Is this to many fish to add at once?

 

[MoreReef]

add the hermit and cardinal... see how that goes then add the clowns if everything seems ok

 

[Jekyl]

All parameters at 0 isn't necessarily a good thing. Nitrate should be present if the tank is cycled. That being said, one or 2 fish depending on tank size and fish.

 

[leo12345]

All parameters at 0 isn't necessarily a good thing. Nitrate should be present if the tank is cycled. That being said, one or 2 fish depending on tank size and fish.

I do have some nitrate but just a little and everyone says a little doesn’t matter so i just say 0

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I would add just one and then wait 1-2 weeks and then get the clowns.

 

[jabberwock]

Yes, go slow. I would go with a snail or two instead of a hermit crab. Crabs can get, well crabby...

Clowns go in last as they can be aggressive. You want to add more peaceful fish first.

 

[melonheadorion]

i generally do not add more than 2 at a time

 

[leo12345]

Yes, go slow. I would go with a snail or two instead of a hermit crab. Crabs can get, well crabby...

Clowns go in last as they can be aggressive. You want to add more peaceful fish first.

I did the opposite of everything you said lol, i put the clowns first and got a hermit crab but everything’s going well.

 

[bruno3047]

It depends on how much ammonia you put in during the cycle. The recommended amount is 2 ppm, twice. Obviously if you ramp it up to 5 ppm, you’ll be able to add more fish. I would guesstimate one 2 to 3 inch fish per each ppm.

 

[leo12345]

It depends on how much ammonia you put in during the cycle. The recommended amount is 2 ppm, twice. Obviously if you ramp it up to 5 ppm, you’ll be able to add more fish. I would guesstimate one 2 to 3 inch fish per each ppm.

I just did what the bottle said, i think it was 4 drops per gallon. I don’t know what ppm that would be.

 

[bruno3047]

I just did what the bottle said, i think it was 4 drops per gallon. I don’t know what ppm that would be.

I assume you used Dr. Tim’s, which is what I used, which indicates four drops per gallon to yield 2 ppm ammonia concentration. Once that zeros out, they say to add a second dose of four drops per gallon. I then added a third dose of 10 drops per gallon to yield an ammonia concentration of 5 ppm. This has the effect of boosting the bacteria base significantly so you can add more fish right off the bat without risking an ammonia spike and second cycle. Naturally, it takes a few extra days for the 5 ppm to zero out, a week at the most.

 

[AydenLincoln]

You are maxed out at around 4-5 small fish total! And two at a time in a tank that size seems like a good plan. Try not to push it.

 

[leo12345]

I assume you used Dr. Tim’s, which is what I used, which indicates four drops per gallon to yield 2 ppm ammonia concentration. Once that zeros out, they say to add a second dose of four drops per gallon. I then added a third dose of 10 drops per gallon to yield an ammonia concentration of 5 ppm. This has the effect of boosting the bacteria base significantly so you can add more fish right off the bat without risking an ammonia spike and second cycle. Naturally, it takes a few extra days for the 5 ppm to zero out, a week at the most.

I only dosed once, does this mean i can only have a little bit of fish total or i just have to wait longer to add the fish, ive been waiting three week interval’s to add the fish?

 

[leo12345]

You are maxed out at around 4-5 small fish total! And two at a time in a tank that size seems like a good plan. Try not to push it.

How small? The biggest fish i was going to get was 4 inches once it was fully grown, is that too big?

 

[doubleshot00]

i generally do not add more than 2 at a time

A pair of clowns is the ticket.

 

[bruno3047]

I only dosed once, does this mean i can only have a little bit of fish total or i just have to wait longer to add the fish, ive been waiting three week interval’s to add the fish?

I know you’re anxious to add fish, but each additional dose of ammonia adds to the bacterial base without jeopardizing the lives of your fish and other livestock. Think of it as insurance. However, if you are determined to start adding fish immediately, you can just follow standard guidelines, as laid out by other posters to this thread.

 

[Screwgunner]

The clown fish are the hardiest if something goes wrong they survive more things than any other fish.

 

[leo12345]

I know you’re anxious to add fish, but each additional dose of ammonia adds to the bacterial base without jeopardizing the lives of your fish and other livestock. Think of it as insurance. However, if you are determined to start adding fish immediately, you can just follow standard guidelines, as laid out by other posters to this thread.

Well I’ve already added fish about three weeks ago so i cant add anymore ammonia is there anything else i can do?

 

[bruno3047]

Well I’ve already added fish about three weeks ago so i cant add anymore ammonia is there anything else i can do?

No. Just try not to overfeed.