[Teddy]

Hi all! I have just set up my first tank and am planning to introduce Malawis, the favorites chosen are yellow labs- Lions Cove 1, mainganos, red estherea, Metriaclima callainos and Pseudotropheus saulosi. The tank has been running for 11 days and at this point the readings seem ok. How long do these readings have to remain constant before the fish can be introduced. Advice would be very much appreciated and many thanks in advance to anyone who responds, Teddy

 

[herny]

i would put some in right now if the yellow labsd first and how big is the tank if its like a 55 add the red estherea to

 

[DJRansome]

How did you cycle the tank? Using ammonia would take more than 11 days, using bio spira you should add fish at the same time or the bacteria will die.

That's a lot of species...is it a 75G tank or bigger?

 

[Teddy]

Many thanks for the replies! The tank is 48 inches wide, 18 inches bow front and 24 inches deep, water capacity 300 ltrs/66 uk gallons. Have used blue sodolite rock and black and white sand substrate and a piece of mangrove root. Used Bactinettes to aid in establishing filter and Seachem Stability fluid. Bicarbonate of Soda got PH up. This all new to me and I am probably very cautious, I really want to get it right and dont want to to rush things. Have tested water today 5/11/08 and the readings are Amonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate less than 5 and PH 8. There is a slight brown tint to water presume it's tanin from wood and water very slightly cloudy will this go with water changes? Teddy

 

[copasetic]

i second the opinion on ad your fish now. watch your that your amonia and nitrite doesn't rise and of course control nitrate with water changes.. As long as nitrite keeps reading 0 you will be fine.

 

[marr23]

if your ammonia,nitrate and nitrite are good introduce your fish 1-2 at a time waiting a few days in between and you should be good,you dont want to cause and ammonia spike.
good luck and a 66 gallon bowfronts a nice tank
its hard to not have drift wood stain the water i wont use it if i do its plastic,try soaking it,then sun drying it multiple times i heard this works but never tried it i just stay away from it.

 

[DJRansome]

I'm not familiar with Bactinettes...what does the label say? Are you supposed to add your fish at the same time (so the bacteria have some ammonia to eat), or add ammonia or what?

If you added bacteria and no fish or food, then the bacteria might have started to die off by now. Although it's a an excellent sign that you have some nitrates!

If you followed the package instructions, including the 11 day wait, then I would add the labs now, but I would add all six and not just one or two.

 

[marr23]

add all six ,just add fish in groups then,as for chemical cycleing your tank i dont do only use seachem prime water conditioner and time.you probaly be ok throwing them all in there but why risk it.

 

[Teddy]

Thanks for the advice I have added some fish, 4 Acei, (the male Acei has a beautiful metalic blue tint) and 4 Saulosi (the male is juvenille just starting to change colour,) I have been told they are quite peaceful and so far they seem to be getting along fine. Had the readings double checked by my LFS who have been extremely helpful and was told we were good to go!
The Bactinettes are produced by are company called Soll GMBH and are live immediately active filter bacteria, (it can also be used to re-seed the filter of a mature aquarium,) the guys at the local LFS said to use this and fish food to build up the bacteria growth and it seems to have done a good job. www.soelltec.com, not advertising on purpose but just put for info if you need it.