TJL

Hello Fishlore members,

My girlfriend and I have patiently waited 4 weeks, and finally our first tank is looking like it's ready. ammonia = almost 0, nitrite = 0 (thought that was never gonna happen) and nitrate = 10ppm. We used the decomposing shrimp method.

While we are busting with excitement to finally start stocking this tank, I am considering adding a little more gravel, because at the moment we only have 4kg in there. I realise that the minimum recommended amount is about 1kg per 10L (it's a 53L tank). At the moment the gravel layer in there is about 2.5cm deep.

So I've got a few questions:
1. If I were to added another kg or two, would I be disturbing any of the beneficial bacteria which has been growing in the existing gravel?

2. Should I vacuum the gravel before stocking the tank?

3. Should I perform another water change prior to stocking?
Since setting up I've done one 10% water change

Thanks

namehater

props to you guys for not using fish to cycle, and double props for doing research before doing anything!

1. no adding gravel wont disturb the existing bacteria. majority of it lives on your filter anyhow.

2. there should be no reason to vacuum, unless there is decomposed shrimp everywhere.

3. as long as your parameters are ok, no water change is needed.

aquarist48

Good morning. Yeah!!!!! Glad to hear you're almost there. Once you're at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5-10 nitrates then you'll be all set. As long as your nitrates stay as low as they are now I don't see that another water change is necessary before stocking the tank unless like mentioned above and you have shrimp all over the place. Hopefully you put the shrimp in a media bag. Good luck and keep us posted!
Adding more gravel should be fine

TJL

thanks for those replies guys, we'll keep you posted once the fish are in!

btw I didnt put the shrimp in a media bag, and it did end up getting slightly messy for a few days.
However, over time the decomposing matter disappeared (there is still a bit that has settled on the leaves of a plant). We're thinking the tiny snails which appeared in week 3 may have had something to do with that..

There are about 8 of these little guys in there at any given time, the largest they seem to get is 5mm long. From what I've read from this forum, they are harmless so I think we'll leave them be. Besides, every now and then one of them manages to crawl upside down along the surface of the water, which i think is pretty cool

Drew 43920

Since you did not put the shrimp in a bag, I probably would not though to do so myself, I am a little worried about putting new gravel in and possible covering old shrimp.
I suggest doing a couple of small water changes, stirring the water right before each, and waiting a week or so to add new gravel.
Better to be safe then sorry.