So I added a started fish

trotsky123

Member
Two blue/green chromis to my 16 gal tank - they look happy exploring all over.
How long do I need to cycle to even consider looking at clowns?
I get contradictory info from 2 weeks to 2 months...........
thank you
 

meowzer

Moderator
What do you mean how long do you need to cycle?????
You should cycle your tank BEFORE adding any fish at all....WHY on earth would you want to put a fish thru the torture of ammonia spikes?????????????
 

trotsky123

Member
As per all the recommendations I cycled a tank for over a month.
Then once my readings were ok I bought a hardy fish - as advised by EVERYONE ON EARTH, you never put a clownfish as your first fish.
Now, I need to let it cycle w/ the fish in it - ammonia spikes, etc.
Only then I can add the clownfish.
How long should I wait for is my question?
Also, do me a huge favor - TAKE A F CHILL PILL!!!!!
This is a question for someone in the forum community who can answer the question with data as that is all I need - I can careless about your emotions. I need to make sure I do things right and not waste my time on these nonsense useless outbursts!
 

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Settle down. Meowzer was worried because of the way you worded your post. To be honest, so was I. You don't have to let your tank "cycle" after you add your first fish.....the tank cycle we so often talk about is the first instance of bacterial buildup when you start the aquarium. By saying "I just added fish....how long do I need to cycle?" we both thought you were using the two chromis to cycle your tank..... a common, if somewhat cruel, practice that many people mistakenly utilize to start a tank up.
Now, to your immediate question:
If you cycled your tank properly during the first month (added a source of ammonia, let the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels do their thing...) then your bacterial filter will only need to slightly adjust to the new bioload. Essentially all you're waiting for is for the bacteria levels to increase to compensate for your new fish. I would monitor your levels of nitrite and nitrate, and make sure you don't see a spike. Give it 10 days, give or take. You should NEVER add so much at once that you see any ammonia reading, or more than just a LITTLE nitrite.
Personally I would only add one to two fish at a time, with a minimum of 10 days space between any more fish, regardless of if I see a chemistry spike or not.
Now just to be sure - how many fish are you planning on putting in there? 16g is a VERY small tank - definitely nano-status - and to be honest I don't think you're going to want more than three small fish in there..... there just isn't enough room for them to stake out their own space.
 

trotsky123

Member
Thanks. I will wait for two weeks and will test the levels.
I wanted just two clowns, but the fish store told me 2 chromis and 2 clowns will do just fine (this is not *****, but a professional store).
I also got a quick question reg filters. I currently have 30 gal biowheel marineland filter.
From the very beginning I added 2 filters there. They are dirty as all the stuff from sand, corals floated into them. I was told NOT to remove them until bacteria grows. I thought thats what biowheel is for. Pls, advise when I should change the actual (blue) filter pads?
 

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trotsky123 http:///forum/thread/382274/so-i-added-a-started-fish#post_3335078
Also, do me a huge favor - TAKE A F CHILL PILL!!!!!
This is a question for someone in the forum community who can answer the question with data as that is all I need - I can careless about your emotions. I need to make sure I do things right and not waste my time on these nonsense useless outbursts!
Maybe you should learn how to word things....And WTH do you see an outburst??
Good luck to you and your fish....There isn't enough time in my life to deal with someone like you, who over reacts to a freakin question
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!
 

trotsky123

Member
Correct! - I NEED to learn to word things right - I am slowly learning the lingo from all the advises - that is why I can careless about this -
"WHY on earth would you want to put a fish thru the torture of ammonia spikes?????????????"
WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT GIVE ME!?
 

spanko

Active Member
Two Chromis and two Clowns are gonna be a huge bioload for a 16 gallon tank. Not familiar with bio wheel filters but if the pads are the rotating ones they should be cleaned in the water you remove from the tank for water changes. By cleaned I mean rinsed off real well, not scrubbed just swished around rather aggressively to get the accumulated detritus off them.
 

scott t

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trotsky123 http:///forum/thread/382274/so-i-added-a-started-fish#post_3335070
Two blue/green chromis to my 16 gal tank - they look happy exploring all over.
How long do I need to cycle to even consider looking at clowns?
I get contradictory info from 2 weeks to 2 months...........
thank you
To be honest Clown fish are very hardy fish and you can in all honest put them as your first additions to your tank. When my 75 or 90 gal tank is up and fully cycles my first additions will be 2 tank bred Occellaris Clowns which I have asked and read that are good first addition fish because they are very hardy.. I have been doing research for over a year on SWF tanks and the Live things that we can add to them...
 

trotsky123

Member
Thanks Scott, I wish I came accross your comment before. Do you think it's ok to have 2 chromis and 2 clowns in a 16?
I am reading other people's posts here and other forums and some have much more in even smaller tanks that grows fine.
Just making sure....
thanks
 

scott t

Active Member
As spanko Said and he is very experienced in the hobby, that it will be a pretty good size bioload for that size tank, just make sure that you take your time and add slowly. As he stated check your params so test for them.. If you don't see a spike in 10 days as stated then you can add another fish or 2 to the tank.. If it were me I would not add more than that to a 16 gal tank.. I am debating either going with a 75 or a 90 gal tank if I get the 75 gal tank I will be maxed out with 9 or 10 fish in it. If I go with the 90 gal I might be able to get away with a few more maybe 2 or 3 and that is it.. So be reasonable with your stock.. I would say that 4 fish would be your max from what I have asked and read..
If you decide to go with clowns I would go with TANK RAISED Occellaris..
 

al&burke

Active Member
Hi Trotsky 123, I think you will find that some of these people seem to come across very harsh, emails are deadly for this , they are not, they are very passionate about their hobby, I can tell you this much, these guys/gals are a real good help, they have helped me numerous times. Give them a chance they are really nice people they won't steer you wrong. Good Luck.
 

scott t

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/382274/so-i-added-a-started-fish#post_3335170
Hi Trotsky 123, I think you will find that some of these people seem to come across very harsh, emails are deadly for this , they are not, they are very passionate about their hobby, I can tell you this much, these guys/gals are a real good help, they have helped me numerous times. Give them a chance they are really nice people they won't steer you wrong. Good Luck.
+1 Al I totally agree with you there.. If It was not for the many people on here that have helped me I dont think that I would have the Knowledge that I have for SWF, yes I have done research and read a lot on the subject, but I have I think gotten most of my help from the people who have kept SWF tanks..
 

trotsky123

Member
I, like everyone, got ALL my good info here! All came from very good knowledgeable and passionate people.
However, I have also seen newbies getting ripped into shreds by posting a question a wrong way. I did admit that I am learning the lingo (HERE).
When I ask the question, I don't want to be talked down to........ Never do it to anyone, and would NEVER let anyone do it to me.
Somehow I missed Spanko comment - thank you as well...... I was overwhelmed reading emotionals posts.
I'll make sure I watch the conditions and tests parameters. All I wanted is two clowns and few snails/crabs - that's it!
But I was told by these guys in fish store that 2 chromis will be just fine with clowns and these guys do nothing but fish - rare, expensive ones.
I will try water in few weeks and hopefully be able to add clowns for my child by holidays.
 

scott t

Active Member
I think that as long as everything tests ok that should not be a problem with adding them by then..
 
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