adding fish back after going fallow

iLLwiLL · 08/13/2009, 04:28 PM

The short: In 10 days now I will be at the end of my fallow period of 6 weeks. How well does the beneficial bacteria hold up during this time without any fish waste to process?

The long: I got ich in my 150 setup a while ago, the inhabitants were a 7" lion, 3-4" yellow tang, and a 3-4" powder blue tang. The PBT died and left me with a tank full of ich as a parting present, so I decided to sell the lion, and treat the yellow in my QT, and leave the DT fishless for 6 weeks. I have been feeding my corals twice a week and I have sunpolyps that are fed a whole cube of frozen brine 4-5 times a week.

Now I have a 3-4" powder brown tang and five 1/2" chromis in a QT at my LFS, and the yellow in my QT. Will there be any problems adding the 2 tangs and 5 chromis all at the same time?

My reasoning for wanting to do it this way is last time my yellow was established and diddn't like the new PBT on his turf, so now I want to try adding 2 tangs at the same time. The rockwork has been completely re-done and i'm hoping the chromis will act as a distraction for any potential tang aggression.

Will this work out OK, or am I going to be fighting ammonia spikes and /or a mini cycle? I plan to do a normal water change 1 week before and 1 week after the fish go into the tank if that helps any, and I have Amquel on hand in case of an emergency.

~Will.

Sisterlimonpot · 08/13/2009, 04:53 PM

Sorry iLLwiLL. But what does fallow period mean?

small alien · 08/13/2009, 05:00 PM

it means no fish. if you have a disease that just affects fish, leaving the tank fallow for a prescribed period (different for each problem) will eliminate the disease as it has nothing to feed on.

Shane Hoffman · 08/13/2009, 05:22 PM

The short: Not an issue. Your corals produce enough waste to keep up the bacteria, especially when combined with what you feed them also breaking down to waste.

The long: IMO your plan sounds good and will not cause any issues. Ammonia shouldnt spike much if any. Your chromis's are small enough that their waste production is negligible. I have added that many fish before in several customers tanks at their request and have never had an issue. All were tanks your size or bigger....

iLLwiLL · 08/13/2009, 07:58 PM

Thanks Shane, its great to hear from someone with actual first hand experience.

~Will.

08/13/2009, 04:28 PM	#1
iLLwiLL Codename: Dutchess Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the danger zone Posts: 933	adding fish back after going fallow The short: In 10 days now I will be at the end of my fallow period of 6 weeks. How well does the beneficial bacteria hold up during this time without any fish waste to process? The long: I got ich in my 150 setup a while ago, the inhabitants were a 7" lion, 3-4" yellow tang, and a 3-4" powder blue tang. The PBT died and left me with a tank full of ich as a parting present, so I decided to sell the lion, and treat the yellow in my QT, and leave the DT fishless for 6 weeks. I have been feeding my corals twice a week and I have sunpolyps that are fed a whole cube of frozen brine 4-5 times a week. Now I have a 3-4" powder brown tang and five 1/2" chromis in a QT at my LFS, and the yellow in my QT. Will there be any problems adding the 2 tangs and 5 chromis all at the same time? My reasoning for wanting to do it this way is last time my yellow was established and diddn't like the new PBT on his turf, so now I want to try adding 2 tangs at the same time. The rockwork has been completely re-done and i'm hoping the chromis will act as a distraction for any potential tang aggression. Will this work out OK, or am I going to be fighting ammonia spikes and /or a mini cycle? I plan to do a normal water change 1 week before and 1 week after the fish go into the tank if that helps any, and I have Amquel on hand in case of an emergency. ~Will.

08/13/2009, 04:53 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Sorry iLLwiLL. But what does fallow period mean? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

08/13/2009, 05:00 PM	#3
small alien The fungus is among us. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Earth Posts: 3,884	it means no fish. if you have a disease that just affects fish, leaving the tank fallow for a prescribed period (different for each problem) will eliminate the disease as it has nothing to feed on. __________________ This moment is all we have. Current Tank Info: 75 mixed reef. F OSFF, Clingfish, M/F Leopards, M Mandy, Darwin Clown, Bullet Goby, Green Clown Goby, M/F Matted Files, Bluestripe Pipe, Tailspot Blenny, Canary Wrasse, Royal Gramma, Papua Toby Puffer, Snooty Maori Wrasse.

08/13/2009, 05:22 PM	#4
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	The short: Not an issue. Your corals produce enough waste to keep up the bacteria, especially when combined with what you feed them also breaking down to waste. The long: IMO your plan sounds good and will not cause any issues. Ammonia shouldnt spike much if any. Your chromis's are small enough that their waste production is negligible. I have added that many fish before in several customers tanks at their request and have never had an issue. All were tanks your size or bigger.... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

08/13/2009, 07:58 PM	#5
iLLwiLL Codename: Dutchess Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the danger zone Posts: 933	Thanks Shane, its great to hear from someone with actual first hand experience. ~Will. __________________ Shallow 80 sps grow out and a Tech 70 softie / macro / gorg seahorse play pen.