How old does your tank need to be?

[hannah24l]

Hi i am considering buying an octocinclus at some point but need to know how old your tank needs to be before adding. i know i am a long way off as my tank is only a month old.

[MCHRKiller]

If your tank is fully cycled adding otos isnt a problem. The only thing to remember with otos is they are sensitive to change, thus you will need to drip acclimate them for no less than 4hrs before adding them to your tank. Also you can supplement their scavaging by tossing in an algae wafer, and some blanched zuchini or cucumber is great for them to.

[hannah24l]

i dont think my tank is fully cycled n the girl at the lfs said would be best to leave until 3 months old.
my levels are
ammonia: 0.1
nitrite 0.1
nitrate 5
think i am nearly there

[MCHRKiller]

3 months is a good mark as that will let your tank settle in and become stable. I never recommend the cycling with fish method but keep doing what your doing and eventually your tank will be cycled. Its a good sign that you have low level of nitrate it shows progress is being made, could you get some used media from your LFS? That would probably knock out the remainder of that ammonia and nitrite.

[hannah24l]

i have had plants - does this count. they dont seem to offer anything else. it has done loads better since adding more plants

[MCHRKiller]

Plants do make an impact in cycling tanks, they will use up some of the fish waste as their food source, getting hold of some seeded media would do worlds of good for your tank tho. Ask them and see if theyll sell you a dirty used filter cartridge.

[hannah24l]

am picking up 2 more black widow tetra tomoz so i will ask.

[MCHRKiller]

I would definatly hold off on adding anymore fish until your tank has 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite, adding fish at this point would shoot these levels up which could lead to stress and disease in your fish. It would be best to leave the stock as it is right now. But by all means get that media and then after a day or two if your ammonia and nitrite are 0 then add the additional fish.

[hannah24l]

thanks but i am gna have to get atleast one black widow as they seem to do better in a group of 4 or more due to the aggresion. i found this out as i did have 2 to start n the lil one tooka chunk out the big one. asked for advice on here n added 2 more a week later. at the time didnt realise i needed melafix. started adding this a week after injury if was clearing up but he didnt last. since he died they have started going after each other again. hence addin atleaast one more.

[Sharon]

I wouldn't add any Otos until the tank is cycled and has been stable for three months. It sounds as if you have a good LFS!!!

[Amazon]

yep thats when you know that your lfs cares.

[Lady Hobbs]

Your tank is not cycled until you have 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites and do not need to do water changes everyday to keep it like that.

[hannah24l]

done water checks today and ammonia 0. nitrite about 0.1 if even that. nitrate 10ppm. think its nearly done