Tropical Fish Forums

Augie(nyc) · New Members Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: nyc

Hello friends...
I recently set up a new 3g eclipse.
I started it with gravel vacuumed debris & water from my established 30g tank.The next day I added 7 neons.
It's been 2 wks & no sign of ammonia yet.
Sooo here are some questons...
*is the bio load too small to start a cycle?
*Have I avoided a cycle because of my startup method?
Any opinions or comments are welcome.
thanks
Augie(nyc)
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diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

Hopefully you have avoided a cycle but what are the nitrite & nitrate readings?

7 neons is too many for the tank even with donor media. If they are tiny they will survive for a while but the tank is much too small.

A 3g is about as small as can be cycled and maintain a cycle but not with such high stocking.

KMX · Members Joined: 23 Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Texas

diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

Fern · Regulars Joined: 26 May 2009 Location: SW Florida

I agree with diademhill. I always have a few extra filters running on my tanks so that they are full of bacteria in case I need to put a tank together without much notice.
7 neons is way too much bio load for a 3g tank.
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Darkblade48 · Advisors Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada

Just to echo daidemhill and Fern's sentiments; a 3g tank is much too small for 7 Neons.

I would say that a Betta might possibly be the only fish that could fit into a tank that small, and even then, I would say it's pushing it. Personally, I wouldn't put a Betta in anything smaller than a 10g Razz

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Augie(nyc) · New Members Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: nyc

Thank you for the responses,but I respectfully dissagree.
You people are VERY conservative.
I agree that a 3g is too small for anything larger than a betta or neons,white clouds ,danos ect.
I also agree that a 3g is too small for any fish to claim a territory.(better to use schooling fish)
BUT..these schooling neons have more room to move around than I do in my studio apartment.My last 3g held one betta,2 danos & two dwarf frogs.
All were happy & healthy for over a year(0 ammonia/0 nitrite/7ph).
If 7 neons were too much,the ammonia would have spiked by now.
I seriously doubt I've avoided a cycle,If anything the bio load is too SMALL
and will take longer to build ammonia.I'll monitor the water quality let you know if I'm wrong. Augie
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Darkblade48 · Advisors Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada

sepgundamrg · Regulars Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Location: Arkansas

Augie(nyc) · New Members Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: nyc

I tried to be civil but the insults kept coming. The problem with forums is too many people THINK they are experts.
The question posted was NOT an invitation to debate what constitutes an overstocked tank.
Darkblade...we're all impressed that you've had tetras for 9 yrs.Do you prepare each meal yourself & wipe each tetras' a** every time they dump?
If I buy a fish & he lives happy for over a yr THAT'S OK WITH ME.
I do not have a fish funeral every time one dies.I would be bored with the same fish in my tank for that long.I keep a blue cray fish in my 30g,
last month I had 7 cherry barbs,now I have 6 .THAT'S A NATURAL TANK
THE ORIGINAL QUESTION REMAINS EXPERTS.
WHERE IS THE AMMONIA IN THIS "OVERSTOCKED"TANK.
3WKS/0 AMMONIA/0 NITRITE.
BE CAREFULL IF YOU RESPOND(probably better if you don't respond)
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