Finally cycled! Now what?

So I think my tank has finally cycled, though I'd love confirmation. Ammonia is 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates are a little more orange than the zero but not quite as much as the 5. Does this mean I'm good to go? I know it's not great if there are no nitrates unless the tank is "heavily planted" but I'm not sure how to interpret that. I do have plants in the tank.
Can I add more fish now??
Also, after a couple days the tank water takes on a yellowish color, any idea why that is, and how to keep it clear without increasing water changes? I've been changing the water 2-3 times a week (or more) and I'm looking forward to less frequency on that.
The tank is 29 gallon and currently houses 4 platy, 3 guppies, and 2 red cherry shrimp.

Oh also how often should I be checking the water now that it's (presumably) cycled?

 

It looks like you're cycled, congrats. =D
I'd say you can start adding fish at any time now. Start slow with maybe one a week. If you remain stable then up it to 2 or three a week.

As for the yellow tint; are there any yellow-ish decorations or substrate? Driftwood? It sounds like something may be leaching into your water. If your fish are all behaving normally then I'd say it's nothing to worry about but it'd still be nice to know where it's coming from.

For water changes I'd go for at least 30% once a week. Testing should be done at this time as well; once before the water change and once a few hours after to allow everything to settle.

 

I wouldn't be terribly confident that it's cycled until it reaches 0-0-20 or so, that said, it could very well be cycled. I would wait a week before adding any critters (I do this even with tanks that signal 0-0-20) to let it really sink in.

If it's cycled for a week, then add 3 or so fish, wait a week, add fish, repeat until you're done stocking!

 

I wouldn't be terribly confident that it's cycled until it reaches 0-0-20 or so, that said, it could very well be cycled.

There's no set number required for nitrates to determine that a tank is cycled. As long as you see some nitrates and you have 0 ammonia and nitrites, it should be cycled.

I would test every day for the next 2-3 days and if results are the same, I would add 2-3 fish depending on the size/bioload and then wait a week in between more additions.

 

Thank you! Does the adding 2-3 still apply if I'm adding Cory cats that will want to ultimately be in a school of 6? Just making sure that won't stress them too much.

 

Going a week without being in a full group isn't likely to bother them too much.

 

Agreed with Fettuccini. If you'd like to add all 6 at once though, I'd add the six after you add some other fish to be sure the cycle adjusts properly.

Cories are fairly small so I don't think the bioload of 6 of them will do your cycle any harm. I was able to add 6 cories to my 55 gallon, then another 4 a week later with no problems. Same for my cherry barbs.

 

Thank you both!

 

Very welcome. =) If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Someone on the forum will be able to help.