New tank question

[jn]

Hi all,

Have finally got my first tank set up. It's been running 3 days. Has a good number of long/well rooted plant stems (3 types, maybe 20 good stems in total?) and a couple small bunches of lilaeopsis grass, all from an established pond.

It's a cold tank, 34L although with my fat driftwood and reasonable gravel layer I reckon there's only about 28L-30 in there.

Filter is running 24/7 and lights on 12hrs/day on a timer.

Substrate is plain/fine gravel only.

A few Questions:

How long will the plants be ok without a food source? Plants are not potted, just roots buried enough to keep them down. With our cold weather here in chch the plants won't be going mad with growth :evil: Do I need to fertilise the plants soon or should I let them settle in first?

How soon can I add some fish if I don't bother with the ammonia method for fishless cycling? (ie: will my plants have enough bacteria on them to speed things up a little?) I was considering chucking in my 2 very little goldfish (2 x 3cm) to cycle the tank.

I plan to keep WCMM's in the tank (without the goldies). Would a little tank like mine be able to handle more than 5 once they're fully grown? Tank is aqua one with the filter in the hood.

Thanks again.

I may post a picture of the tank soon as I'm pleased with the way it's turned out

[SpidersWeb]

Hey jn,

Those all-in-one tanks are a fantastic way to get started.

White clouds are a strong fish, and (unlike goldfish) very clean, so I'd suggest just putting your white clouds straight in. They're a good candidate for use as a cycling fish anyway, and the cycling process isn't quite as big a deal as many think. As long as you're aware that its going on, and try not to amplify it too much e.g. overfeeding, adding too many fish at once, or adding delicate fish, then you shouldn't have a problem.

Your plants from the pond will seed your tank and start the cycle on its way. If you're doing weekly 20% water changes and there isn't piles of food on the tank floor, then ammonia or nitrite poisioning is unlikely.

The poop from the WCMM will be your fertiliser for the most part, if the plants need any (most plants are easy going, so unlikely) you'll start seeing holes in leaves, brown leaves etc, dont worry they'll let you know.

WCMMs dont mind being in groups, so more than 5 shouldn't be a problem. Dont put 20 in on the first day or anything but once the tank has settled, you could probably add quite a few, start with 5 or so and see how it goes.

I've seen pet stores use the little 25L tanks as WCMM display tanks before.

[jn]

Late night huh SpidersWeb Happy New Year and thanks for the reply.

I'm pleased to hear that WCMM's are clean fish! I knew goldfish were heavy polluters but had never found any reference for WCMM's.

I'll be off to the shop then to buy my first inhabitants!! I'll keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrites and put some pond water in the tank if it looks to be going badly (trying to minimize algae transfer).

Maybe I'll start with 5-6 and just let them breed up to a bigger population.

(Still pleased the tank can handle more though although with the plants and wood it wouldn't take much to overcrowd things!!)

Thanks!