Maybe A Silly Question?

I have a 20 gallon tank that had an ammonia spike that I’ve been treating... after my last 50% WC (about an hour ago) my readings are .25 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrites and 0 ppm nitrates, pH 7.4 temp 76. I believe I am currently re-cycling my tank after changing the substrate to sand (I think) threw it back into a cycle. I currently have 8 guppies.... I want to add Corydoras and thought since they are bottom feeders they could help with the food that falls to the sand and hopefully control some of the ammonia. I am currently dosing with prime and stability.

Do I wait until the ammonia reads 0 ppm before I dare add any Cories? I don’t want to add fish just for them to die but I thought maybe they’d help with the food waste.

I am also only feeding once a day enough for them to eat in a few minutes and trying to get as much extra food out of the tank as possible but sometimes it falls into places I can't reach but can still see lol.

 

I would wait a couple days and take a reading and if all ok then add.

 

I would wait a couple days and take a reading and if all ok then add.

Thank you

 

You may have just kicked up some old waste in the original substrate causing the ammonia to rise. I’m sure your filter media still had good BB! It’s just maybe catching up to the extra ammonia.I would think as long as your doing water changes and ammonia is holding at .25 your fish are safe.

 

You may have just kicked up some old waste in the original substrate causing the ammonia to rise. I’m sure your filter media still had good BB! It’s just maybe catching up to the extra ammonia.I would think as long as your doing water changes and ammonia is holding at .25 your fish are safe.

Awesome... do you think its safe to add some Cories or should I wait?

 

Still doesn’t hurt to wait. I’m anxious to add more fish myself. But I am holding off. I did/doing an cycle with fish. My ammonia always tested at .25 and fish are healthy and happy. I was learning on the fly. Luckily no losses.