Fishless Cyle: Too Early To Move In Fish?

Hi

I've been preparing a new 20L using the fishless cycling method with ammonia. I found an excellent guide on youtube and have been having success following the process. Yesterday my tank finally reached 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 140 nitrate. At that point I was supposed to load the tank with 4 ppm ammonia to see if it would fully cycle the load within 24 hours. I measured and it took about 30 hours for the ammonia to fully cycle. I'm not sure if I should continue to add ammonia at this point or if it would be okay to water change until I reach 10 ppm nitrate and then transfer my fish. I have 6 cories and 1 guppy awaiting their new home and would like to move them to the larger digs if it would be safe.

Thanks for your insight!

 

It sounds to me like you're ready for a massive WC.

 

I'd definitely not move them in. Especially not if you're gonna transfer them all at once.
Wait till your tank can process the ammonia in 24 hours or less. Also, I'm pretty sure that six cories and a guppy don't fit in a five gallon tank.

 

Sorry for the confusion, 20L as in 20 gallon long.

 

I would put them in. I'd keep a close eye and Prime on hand to detoxify, but it is nearly there and should be fine.

 

Sorry for the confusion, 20L as in 20 gallon long.

Well, that's totally different then. You can probably put them in no problem, just get the nitrates down first and I think you're good to go.

 

Thanks so much for the advice!