Cycle is complete...

[westward13]

For those of you that helped me through my first 5 weeks with your advice and feedback... thank you again. My nitrogen cycle is now complete and I'm ready to add a few more fish. Unfortunately, my fiancee isn't very thrilled about me getting a second tank (even just a 10 gallon) so I'm not sure how soon I'll be able to get an aquarium to use as a quarantine tank. Is it definitely a really bad idea to add new fish directly into the main tank (75 gallon)? I realize that it increases the risk of infection to the tank and increases the out-of-pocket costs to cure any ailments since the large tank would require treatment but is it an absolute no-no in the hobby?

 

[Menagerie]

but is it an absolute no-no in the hobby?

No, people do it all the time. However, were something come into the tank, a 75 gal would be expensive to treat. Pick your fish carefully and ask your LFS if they QT. You can tell a good LFS from bad. Stick with your instincts--if something is not right, that fish doesn't come home with you.

 

[westward13]

I plan to get a Common Pleco and most likely a Rhino/Chocolate Pleco... I really really want to get a couple of Black Fin/Columbian Sharks but from the research I've done, they require brackish or saltwater as they mature so I won't be doing that. I also plan to add a Senegal Bichir but it's probably a little too soon. Hmm...