How many fish at a time?

[toynewb]

After I have finished QTing 3 fish, I'm trying to put them in my display now. i had 1 in there before and just put in 1 of the 3 from QT. i have 2 more ready to go, but don't want to overload the tank too quickly and drive up the ammonia.

so how quickly can i put in new fish and if i were to put in 2 more should I even put in two at a time, thereby doubling the current number of fish?

it's a 30 gallon tank with about 30 lbs of live rock and 2-3 inches of sand.

 

[scooter31707]

I would wait about 2 weeks, and have some Stability on-hand. I honestly think you will be ok, if the fish are small. maybe some of the experts will chime in soon.

 

[toynewb]

yea they're mostly small fish like 1-1.5 inches large each. next two are possum wrasses.

what exactly does stability do? i just looked it up and not sure what "new tank syndrome" is. am i supposed to add stability to my display tank?

and by the way, the tank has been up and running for 5 months. just never had the chance to properly QT a fish and add more in that time so it's an established tank.

 

[tzylak]

5 Months is a good start for the bio system to establish itself.
IMHO the 3 fish will do better in the DT than in the QT. Put in all at one time.
However, the bio filter will take a week or two to adjust to the load increase. Consider doing daily WC first few days, then WC every other day, etc. Check water parameters daily and do WC accordingly until the system stabilizes.
Have fun

 

[ClownFishGuy6]

Wait about 1 week until you buy a new fish. Buy one this week. Buy one next week. It never hurts to wait a little longer. I waited a month and I half until I got my third fish when I was setting up my 55 gallon tank.

 

[toynewb]

5 Months is a good start for the bio system to establish itself.
IMHO the 3 fish will do better in the DT than in the QT. Put in all at one time.
However, the bio filter will take a week or two to adjust to the load increase. Consider doing daily WC first few days, then WC every other day, etc. Check water parameters daily and do WC accordingly until the system stabilizes.
Have fun

Wait about 1 week until you buy a new fish. Buy one this week. Buy one next week. It never hurts to wait a little longer. I waited a month and I half until I got my third fish when I was setting up my 55 gallon tank.

thanks for the feedback guys.

i'll wait a week or two to introduce the other two fish. that way i can let the biofiltration ramp up.

one follow up question is, would it be bad to introduce the other 2 fish from the QT into the DT at the same time after a week or two? i would be doubling the DT bioload at that point from 2 fish to 4.

 

[Sk8r]

Feed very lightly at first. You didn't say carnivore or herbivore. I'm assuming carnivore. They'll survive better with low food than having ammonia. Keep Prime on hand.

 

[toynewb]

Feed very lightly at first. You didn't say carnivore or herbivore. I'm assuming carnivore. They'll survive better with low food than having ammonia. Keep Prime on hand.

hey sk8r, yes all carnivores. all 4 of them. Why low food? Is it because there is less food to break down into ammonia?

i have prime.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

hey sk8r, yes all carnivores. all 4 of them. Why low food? Is it because there is less food to break down into ammonia?

i have prime.

Yep. You got it! :fish1: