Apache's Catfish Community Thread.

Tank first.
Stingray filters don't have very good media. They have a sponge, which is fine, but they also have carbon/zeolite cartridges, which are not. Do you have a manual for the filter? If you haven't, click here
Fish-in cycles are hard work. Are you prepared to do a water change every day? The easy way round it depends on your father. This will also fix the filter's shortcomings as well.
Does the main tank have sponges in the filter? If you would be allowed to, the simplest thing to do is cut some sponge from the main tank to the size and shape of the stingray's cartridges - and buy a new sponge to go in the main tank. Or take some ceramic media from the main tank if it has that, break open the cartridges, throw away what's inside and put the ceramic media inside instead.
Set the new tank up, get the water to the right temp, then sort out the media. Keep the mature media damp, don't let it dry out. Once it is in the new tank, move the endlers over. Test for ammonia and nitrite every day, and do a water change if you see a reading above zero for either of them. If you do get readings it shouldn't last long with mature media.

If you can't use any of the main tank's filter I would still replace the cartridges with new sponge. If the cartridges have been used by the last owner, they would need replacing anyway. But the best would be if your Dad would keep the endlers in his tank while you do a fishless cycle.

If that's not allowed and you have to do a fish-in cycle, you will need to test the tank every day for ammonia and nitrite. You will need to do a water change whenever the readings get near 0.25. If they go over that reading, it will harm the fish. They may not get sick right away but they will be weakened.
And it might mean doing a water change every day for a few weeks.


Fish.
The tank is fine for endlers and panda cories.
The main problem with mixing them is that pandas need cooler temperature than endlers.  Panda's need 22 - 25^oC and endlers need 24 to 30. Keeping one at the top end and the other at the bottom end of their temp ranges is not good for the fish, they should really be in the middle of the range.
Pandas also prefer softer water than endlers.

If you still want to try them both, wait till the tank has been running a few months after it finishes cycling before getting the cories. Pandas are one of the more delicate species and it is better to wait until the biofilm, with all its micro-organisms, has established all over the tank tank and decor.

Panda cories need good water conditions. If you are not prepared to keep the tank clean, don't get them.

Oh. The gravel will work its way up through the sand and you'll end up with the sand on the bottom and the gravel on top.......



If you are going ahead with fish-in cycling, just the endlers as fish-in would probably kill pandas. Once the tank is cycled for the endlers, after a few months add the cories 2 at a time.


And don't forget to test the water every day.

thanks sue... not got the pandas or otto's yet... will see if i can remove the gravel

I have found an ordinary kitchen sieve the easiest was to separate sand and gravel.

The fish-in cycle will begin soon... I will be using my two 'spare' kribensis females instead of the endlers to set up the cycle.

Really a fish-in cycle shouldn't be the method of choice but only used where its unavoidable.

It's stressful and harmful for the fish because of exposure to ammonia and nitrite and due to the constant water changes.

It's far more sensible and ethical to fishless cycle.
It's not uncommon for fish to die as a result of fish-in cycling, this is something I, regretfully, have 1st hand experience of.

I ended up doing a fish-in cycle before I'd learned about the fishless method, and after being given poor advice at the LFS.

I would never do it again and would strongly recommend anyone to avoid it at all costs.

I shall try a fishless, the enderlers are in a plastic fry tank... Don't know if I will have the time and I don't have the money (£30!) For  a testing kit

As you only need to test for Ammonia and Nitrite when cycling you don't need to spend £30 on a whole kit of 6 or 7 different tests. You could spend just over half that on only the tests you require.

Ammonia Test kit - £7.97 + free delivery

Nitrite Test Kit - £8.34 + free delivery

It is difficult to get ammonia from real shops these days as it can be used in certain illegal activities. I know you aren't old enough to have an Amazon or Ebay account, but if your parents do, could they order some from one of those for you?

Homebase sell their own household ammonia. 9.5% ammonia with no detergent or surfactant. £2.50 for a 500ml bottle. If you need to ask parents or friends to drive you to a Homebase it's better to get the store phone number. They will check the shelves and reserve you a bottle if they have it. This is what I did for my ammonia