How many fish in 180?

I just started my 180 today (pics coming soon) and was wondering how many fish I can keep in it. I have 2 grass pickerel and 5 small white crappie. I wanted to add a couple of black crappie and 4 orangespots, is that too many fish?
Also, what's the shortest amount of cycle time I need to wait before adding fish? I used eco-complete and also added cycle, so there should be a lot of bacteria in there.
Thanks.

Here it is so far. I still have a bunch more plants to add.

Here it is so far. I still have a bunch more plants to add.

I would either do a fishless cycle, or add a few rosies to cycle it. There is no way to know how long it will take, but you want your test kit to show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrIte, and 2-3 nitrAte that is the only way you can know for sure, Also if you have a second tank already cycled add a filterpad or a good squeeze of the sponge and get some cood bacteria in the filter.a big ol' scoop of established in an old pair of pantyhose righ by the filter intake always works well too, just do not add the fish until you are sure it's cycled.

since you are going to have predators, I would recommend the Rosies ( Pimephales sp.) you should be able to get them at your lfs pretty cheap. Either them or Gambusia

If you know all this, I apologize, just don't want your fish to die.

Tom

I would just keep the crappies and pickerel together.

No sunfish.

I would just keep the crappies and pickerel together.

No sunfish.

You don't think orangespots would do well with pickerel? They are typically more peaceful than their cousins aren't they?

I would either do a fishless cycle, or add a few rosies to cycle it. There is no way to know how long it will take, but you want your test kit to show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrIte, and 2-3 nitrAte that is the only way you can know for sure, Also if you have a second tank already cycled add a filterpad or a good squeeze of the sponge and get some cood bacteria in the filter.a big ol' scoop of established in an old pair of pantyhose righ by the filter intake always works well too, just do not add the fish until you are sure it's cycled.

since you are going to have predators, I would recommend the Rosies ( Pimephales sp.) you should be able to get them at your lfs pretty cheap. Either them or Gambusia

If you know all this, I apologize, just don't want your fish to die.

Tom

Thanks for the info. I was thinking rosies or goldfish would be a good starter fish in the tank. If they die, I am only down a few bucks.
The eco-complete is supposed to have some sort of bacteria in it, but I don't know what it will help with. I was thinking about sticking my cycled canister filter on there to help out. It should be loaded with all sorts of bacteria.
I don't want my fish to die either! Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking rosies or goldfish would be a good starter fish in the tank. If they die, I am only down a few bucks.
The eco-complete is supposed to have some sort of bacteria in it, but I don't know what it will help with. I was thinking about sticking my cycled canister filter on there to help out. It should be loaded with all sorts of bacteria.
I don't want my fish to die either! Thanks for the advice.

Anytime! It's all about the fish.

Something else you can get to cycle your tank fast is Marineland Bio Spira.

This stuff works but you have to add it with live fish.

Otherwise the bacteria dies.

I think the sunfish will out compete the crappie as they are more aggressive feeders

If you have an established filter, by all means add it! If you are starting a new filter, split off some of the used media from the established filter and run them both.
In my opinion, using an established filter or even taking media from an established filter is way, way more effective than adding commercial products and quicker as well.
Cycling the tank the old fashion way can take even longer.
No matter which route you choose, a school of rosies will provide the fuel to jumpstart the biofilter and you can leave them in there as treats for your crappies.

I would also add that if you are planning on a LOT of plants, then the plants themselves will pretty much cycle the tank in a very short time.
Emphasis on a LOT of plants, however.

I would also add that if you are planning on a LOT of plants, then the plants themselves will pretty much cycle the tank in a very short time.
Emphasis on a LOT of plants, however.

I do have A LOT of plants. What you see in the tank is only about half of what I had in my 58. I have a bunch of cabomba, Hygrophila cory., a couple types of valisneria, cryptocorne wendtii, wisteria and Indian fern. Once I am done planting, it should be almost filled out. I will take pics once it's fully planted and fish are in. I am buying about 4-5 dozen rosies tomorrow to start the process. My other fish will just need to sit in a 20 gallon until the tank is ready, but the crappie and the pickerel; will be pleasantly surprised by the 60 rosies waiting for them!!

You don't need that many fish. I was able to cycle a 72g with just 5 medium-sized "feeder" goldfish. Just as you long as you slowly add fish, you'll be fine with cycling with a dozen goldies. My LFS told me to just return the goldfish when I was done with them. Yours may do that same.

You don't need that many fish. I was able to cycle a 72g with just 5 medium-sized "feeder" goldfish. Just as you long as you slowly add fish, you'll be fine with cycling with a dozen goldies. My LFS told me to just return the goldfish when I was done with them. Yours may do that same.

I've had nothing but problems when using goldfish, they always bring a parasite or something in with them. Around here the rosies are much cleaner, but yes 60 is way too many, get a dozen or so and let it go with them.

I've had nothing but problems when using goldfish, they always bring a parasite or something in with them. Around here the rosies are much cleaner, but yes 60 is way too many, get a dozen or so and let it go with them.

I agree.
Plus the goldfish would wreak havok on the plants.
Once all those plants get established, the nitrogen cycle will be in great shape.

Oh yeah, forgot the plants. Mine wasn't planted at the time. My LFS at the time had goldfish and rosies in the same tank with separators. So it didn't really matter which I used.

I've seeded all new tanks since then with old filter material.

Ok. I'll control myself and only get a dozen rosies. I figure between the old filter plus fish plus plants, I should be able to add my fish by Sunday. That would give it 3 days of cycling with 2 of them having rosies in there. I do have gambusia I could put in there. I was going to breed them for feeders, but they are slow growing and not very "frisky".

Here is my tank with all of my plants. My fish had no effects from ammonia or anything, they are doing great. As a matter of fact, they all started eating the day after I put them in, yesterday.

Here is my tank with all of my plants. My fish had no effects from ammonia or anything, they are doing great. As a matter of fact, they all started eating the day after I put them in, yesterday.

BEAUTIFUL! tank love all of the plants. I would like to see some pics of your fish.