Can an understocked tank affect parameters?

[germanyt]

I have a 25 gallon planted but it only has a 2 inch cichlid and an African dwarf frog in it. I'm concerned that the fish won't produce the ammonia necessary for my bacteria. Do I need to add more fish or dose ammonia? Or will it be okay?

 

[bettaowner]

That sounds ok. Most people add only a pair of danios or hardy fish species with a low bioload. What species of cichlid is it.

 

[bud29]

That cichlid (a mbuna of some type, if I remember correctly?) will definitely grow to have quite a bioload once it's mature - however, that is slow enough of a process that the bacteria should be able to adjust fine. Currently, there might not be as much bacteria as there would when you finish a fishless cycle, however that is to be expected - the biofilter will adjust to the tank's bioload.

 

[germanyt]

That sounds ok. Most people add only a pair of danios or hardy fish species with a low bioload. What species of cichlid is it.

That cichlid (a mbuna of some type, if I remember correctly?) will definitely grow to have quite a bioload once it's mature - however, that is slow enough of a process that the bacteria should be able to adjust fine. Currently, there might not be as much bacteria as there would when you finish a fishless cycle, however that is to be expected - the biofilter will adjust to the tank's bioload.

I actually got rid of the mbuna (white tailed acei). It was 4-5 inches long. The lady at Petsmart who gave it to me told me she wanted it if I decided it wasn't a good fit for my tank. Day after day I was replanting my telanthera and wendtii and a few days ago it pulled up 4 plants and tore my marimo ball to shreds so I decided to take it back to her. I now just have a 2 inch electric yellow. I hope it doesn't turn out just like the acei because I really love the color of it.