So I’m a victim of MTS (multiple tank syndrome) and I have a new Juwel 30 gallon set up. I have an existing 50 gallon south Asian theme tank and a 10 gallon betta aquarium.
I have sized up a smaller aquarium to this one, so I’ve used the filter material, substrate, plants and some wood and stone from an existing 6 month old tank. The filter is quite a bit bigger so there is more new sponge material and substrate in there.
I’m planning on stocking it with:
– 12 to 15 cardinal tetras
– 8 (panda) Cory’s
– maybe 1 Apistogramma couple
– Amano or neocaridina colony
My question is, how long should I expect for cycling to be completed with donated, mature material and what timeline would be best to start adding fish? I will test the water with a liquid testing kit but for now everything is 0. PH 7.5-8.0, water is hard here but good quality.
Also thoughts on my overall stocking ideas? Tips? Remarks?
Posted by shorby
4 Comments
I am not a veteran, so take my words with a grain of salt. If it’s me I would have add fish immediately and let the cycle run along the way, fish can survive and live with new clean water. And the amount of fish for 50 gallon seems reasonable.
Honestly with donated filter media, substrate, and hardscape it should be cycled by the end of the week as long as the other tank was fully cycled. But the stocking looks great, you might even be able to add some neos or mystery snail for cleanup/goofygoobers
If you treated the tap water for chlorine before adding it to the substrate then it’s fine to just add it
Your filter is already cycled since you pulled it from an active, mature tank. I would start to add livestock now. Without any ammonia in the water to feed the bacteria culture, it will start to die off. If you can’t do that, crush up some flakes (so they’ll decompose faster) in the tank to feed the bacteria.
Also, apistos will eat neocardinas. Amano’s aren’t as nice to look at, but too big to turn into lunch when they’re adults.