Adding first fish

[Ab129]

Getting ready to order my first fish for new tank and not sure how many I can safely add without increasing the bio load too drastically.
Planning on two chromis, one basslet, one Blenny and a pair of clowns to start but would that be too much?
Tank is 75 gallon.

 

[scooter31707]

IMO, I think you will be ok adding those fish at one time. They are small in size and probably won't create a huge bioload. I've added 4 medium/large fish at one time and it did not have any effect on my bioload.

 

[Jekerry]

I added four at once in a 54 gallon and my water didn’t change at all.

 

[allendehl]

Just make sure you create and follow a QT protocol. I know the rush of wanting to add your first fish and all but try to be disciplined and resist

 

[Ab129]

Funny you should mention that
I was just reading the acclimation thread. Crap!
Can I throw 6 fish in a 10 gal qt tank?
And I don't know where I'm gonna put this thing, I have 6 Cats !
Guessing I should fill the qt with cycled water from my DT, right?

 

[Uncle99]

The QT is the correct protocol and lowers the risk of infections.
I have taken that risk before and was OK, but the risk is still their.
The load is OK but the Cromis are quote active and this causes stress which can lead to things like ICK and velvet. I would add the chromis later if your taking the risk of no QT.

 

[sde1500]

Funny you should mention that
I was just reading the acclimation thread. Crap!
Can I throw 6 fish in a 10 gal qt tank?
And I don't know where I'm gonna put this thing, I have 6 Cats !
Guessing I should fill the qt with cycled water from my DT, right?

That would be pushing it. I'd suggest buying a couple big rubbermaid totes. Cheap, can hold more water safely, and bigger. Keep ammonia tests on hand, and some prime or other ammonia binder and you're fine. Get two of everything, if you want to do TTM, two totes, two heaters, two air stones, two sets of pvc connectors for fish hiding spots.

 

[allendehl]

Funny you should mention that
I was just reading the acclimation thread. Crap!
Can I throw 6 fish in a 10 gal qt tank?
And I don't know where I'm gonna put this thing, I have 6 Cats !
Guessing I should fill the qt with cycled water from my DT, right?

Yeah, that is pushing it a bit. I bought a couple of plastic 7G bins from Walmart and they are working great for TTM. To be on the safe side I'd buy at least one and split your QT in two, if you're not doing TTM.
Make sure you have an airstone on each, this bit me and lost 2 fish because of that rookie mistake. An ammonia badge helps as well and have Prime on hand, as mentioned.
I change water 1/week, as much as possible and yes, the water from your DT is fine for the QT.

What is your plan for water supply? TTM takes up lots of water. QT-Only takes less but still some.

 

[allendehl]

Oh...forgot to add an HOB filter. I have one on my QT as I change water less frequent than in TTM.

 

[JustinM]

You need to QT! Chromis are notorious carriers of uronema. Once it gets in your tank, you are doomed and have to break it down and bleach everything. Not worth the risk.

Also, stress doesn’t cause ich and velvet, a parasite does. If there is no parasite present, there will be no ich or velvet regardless of stress.

When ordering fish from online vendors, you need to match the salinity. A lot of shippers keep their salinity low. If you take a needle and just poke a hole in the bag and let that drip on your refractometer, you can see what it is. Throw a piece of scotch tape over the hole and start temp acclimating. Too many people have their fish die from osmotic shock by having mismatched salinity.

 

[Ab129]

Yeah, that is pushing it a bit. I bought a couple of plastic 7G bins from Walmart and they are working great for TTM. To be on the safe side I'd buy at least one and split your QT in two, if you're not doing TTM.
Make sure you have an airstone on each, this bit me and lost 2 fish because of that rookie mistake. An ammonia badge helps as well and have Prime on hand, as mentioned.
I change water 1/week, as much as possible and yes, the water from your DT is fine for the QT.

What is your plan for water supply? TTM takes up lots of water. QT-Only takes less but still some.

Ok there are a few things I don't understand,
Air stone?
Ammonia badge?
And I'm gonna say I'm not doing TTM. Just one QT.
Is there a sticky that I missed on setting up a QT?
I hate to bother you guys with questions that I have already been answered in a sticky!
Thanks for the info!

 

[Ab129]

I think I just found the QT setup thread.

 

[sde1500]

On my phone so linking is a pain but yes. Either in new section or disease. Air stone you stick on the end of the air pump line so you get small bubbles. Ammonia badge stick in the tank to alert you to possible toxic ammonia levels.

 

[monkeysee1]

1 fish per 10 gallons, for your tank a TOTAL of 7 fish, 8 MAX.
Put in your 2 chromis FIRST, then add the other fish you have in mind ONE AT A TIME, over the course of several months.
DEFINITELY quarantine ALL of them first.