Instantly Add Fish to a New Tank *Without the Die-Offs!*

Avoid new tank fish die-offs Here's the best way to start a new tank and instantly add fish without the die-offs!
This video was first previewed in the 6/08/24 episode of The Cichlids & Coffee Live Stream. Here is the final cut, the final edit.
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[@j.t.cooper2963]

👍🏻😎This method has worked for me countless times over the last 36 years.

[@timadams306]

I'm heading to grab some silver dollars today. I'm a hit fan of stability and ammonia. Used 4 teaspoons and 8 caps of stability and it's cycled in a touch over a week. Have used a dirty sponge and that the best way of you have one.

[@mikerosenzweig]

I concur with Ben’s suggestions. I always have some sponges in the hang-on-backs “just in case”. I supplement a new set up with bacteria in a bottle as well.

[@hussblacksmith5417]

Perfect thanks for the heads up Ben 👍🏼

[@PriceTagAquariums]

Still my favorite way to create a new tank with fish is with seeded bacteria from a HOB. I have done this several times when starting my fish room with a high success rate! And just like you said, always use water conditioner! Great tips as always Ben. Thanks for the upload!

[@BenOchart]

Thanks buddy!

[@stevenmellor1815]

Using seeded media has worked great for me in the past. Ive also recently used guppies to get a couple of smaller tanks going, only problem witb usint guppies is that they multiply very quickly 🤣 definitely keep it to all male all females in the future! Looking forward to the next fishroom update Ben! Im particularly interested in seeing the future progress of your male Red Terror.

[@gk9417]

That’s great information thanks 🙏 I’m going to start a 55 gallon for discus So I have to get the water right and ready 👍✌️🇨🇦

[@BenOchart]

Consider a UV unit like the Big Green Killing Machine. Helps with both water quality and clarity. Also, discus like it on the warm side so add a heater that is 5watts per gallon and run it through a controller to prevent cooking those discus with a heater malfunction. One last tip (and you probably already know all this...), consider using VitaChem with those discus. These points along with a good assortment of plants will create a very healthy discus tank IMO.

[@gk9417]

@@BenOchart thanks for the great advice 👍✌️🇨🇦

[@user-rm5he9wq8z]

Hi again Ben, yes I totally agree with you regarding using sponge filter to prime a new aquarium. Like you, I always have several seeded sponge filter going so that if I need them, ready to use straight away. I replied to your message a week or so ago buy not heard back from you. I guess you are very busy. I don’t know how you find the time to post all the wonderful videos and look after all of your fish aquariums. I mentioned I had a livingstoneii cichlid who was starting to get a little aggressive toward the other peacock cichlids in my aquarium. Well he has become more aggressive since I remove all my strawberry cichlids. Yesterday I was beginning think he needed to be removed before he hurts or kills another cichlids. Well today he is charging sprung the tank like a fish insane. So he is in another tank chilling out. He does not too happy with me, but needs must. Now as I exspect, another of the cichlids had decided he wants to be the boss fish, it’s a dark blue JACOB FRIBERG cichlids. I understand that this problem will always happen as there is always going to be fish who will be the boss of the aquarium. I have plenty of tick, live Anubis plants and wood in my aquarium, but I don’t think it’s about the decor, it’s about to fish and about one of who will become to top dog in the tank. Maybe I will have yo get rid of the livingstonei cichlids, who knows, however I understand that cichlids behavior is totally different to an aquarium filled with community type fish which are generally very peaceful. Any comments and advice would be very welcome and appreciated. Kind regards from Denn, ex army veteran

[@BenOchart]

The livingstonii group of cichlids (venustus, fusco, polystigma, etc) are known for being overly aggressive. It took me several tries to finally put together a group of ACs that doesn't have a killer in the bunch. If a fish is a total jerk I have found that time outs, decor changes, less light, lower temps, on and on, do nothing. They go right back to harassing the tank mates and this creates other problems. Re-homing has been the only workable solution, along with replacing the jerk and hoping the next one is mellow.
Then there's the "new sheriff" syndrome. Remove the boss and the battle to be the new boss immediately begins. If you're lucky, the new boss, once established, chills out and just patrols the tank. If you're not lucky, you end up where you started, having to re-home another fish.
It can be both expensive and frustrating. But you do eventually get there. Nimbochromis (the livingstonii familiy) are a particular challenge but so desirable that we all try to work through it. My fusco is pretty chill (thank goodness because he's a tank) and my venustus is a runt and not up to challenging anyone.
Good luck. ACs will certainly keep you on your toes!

[@HnegbztjbxwqV]

id rather wait.

[@BenOchart]

Whatever you're comfortable with is the right way to go.

[@omarforbes]

In my experience when doing this, you will still have a mini cycle

[@BenOchart]

Must be micro-mini after doing it numerous times with zero issues. There’s probably a never ending ebb and flow of the NO3 cycle depending on feeding / waste production.