When can I add fish during cycling?

[gabray47]

I have been doing a fishless cycle of a 20-gallon freshwater. Right now, I can add up to 4 ppm ammonia and it will convert to nitrite then nitrate within a day and a half (roughly 36 hours). I've been told several different things about when I can add fish.

So, should I wait until it goes through the nitrogen cycle in 24 hours or is it okay to add fish now? I'm not in a hurry; I just want to make sure I add fish at the right time. Any advice is helpful!

 

[dmk164]

I have been doing a fishless cycle of a 20-gallon freshwater. Right now, I can add up to 4 ppm ammonia and it will convert to nitrite then nitrate within a day and a half (roughly 36 hours). I've been told several different things about when I can add fish.

So, should I wait until it goes through the nitrogen cycle in 24 hours or is it okay to add fish now? I'm not in a hurry; I just want to make sure I add fish at the right time. Any advice is helpful!

I think you would be safe to add 5” worth of fish there not going to produce 1 ppm then wait two weeks and add 5 more etc congratulations on a fishless cycle sounds like it’s nit cycled enough for 4 ppm but try just two and if you get zero nitrites u should be good

 

[gabray47]

I think you would be safe to add 5” worth of fish there not going to produce 1 ppm then wait two weeks and add 5 more etc congratulations on a fishless cycle sounds like it’s nit cycled enough for 4 ppm but try just two and if you get zero nitrites u should be good

Awesome! It is hard to filter through all of the advice and make good decisions! Appreciate the guidance. I'll do that.

 

[MacZ]

should I wait until it goes through the nitrogen cycle in 24 hours

Yes, and only then. Being impatient now can bring you in an unwanted fish-in finish for the cycle. You have been patient for a while, some more days don't make a difference, don't they?

 

[Revan]

Well, technically you only need to run through 2 ppm at most, as 2 ppm is that of a pretty heavily stocked tank. If you can run through 2 ppm within 24 hours, your cycle is pretty much done.

 

[Azedenkae]

I have been doing a fishless cycle of a 20-gallon freshwater. Right now, I can add up to 4 ppm ammonia and it will convert to nitrite then nitrate within a day and a half (roughly 36 hours). I've been told several different things about when I can add fish.

So, should I wait until it goes through the nitrogen cycle in 24 hours or is it okay to add fish now? I'm not in a hurry; I just want to make sure I add fish at the right time. Any advice is helpful!

I agree with Revan.

4ppm ammonia converted every 36 hours is roughly 2.66ppm every 24 hours.

You are fine. I am not sure where the whole 4ppm ammonia/day originated from, but it is excessive. A normal tank even fed a lot will only produce max 1ppm ammonia a day. A very heavily stocked, very heavily fed tank may produce 2ppm. So there is really no need to aim for 4ppm ammonia/day unless one wants to be super sure even if something goes really terribly everything will be fine.

So with that said, you are fine to add fish now. Assuming your readings are correct, you can even fully stock it at once if you like.

 

[gabray47]

Yes, and only then. Being impatient now can bring you in an unwanted fish-in finish for the cycle. You have been patient for a while, some more days don't make a difference, don't they?

Yeah, I've been doing this for months, and to be honest, I'm having so much fun with just the plants that I'm in no hurry! I'm really enjoying myself and not in any hurry to push it.

I agree with Revan.

4ppm ammonia converted every 36 hours is roughly 2.66ppm every 24 hours.

You are fine. I am not sure where the whole 4ppm ammonia/day originated from, but it is excessive. A normal tank even fed a lot will only produce max 1ppm ammonia a day. A very heavily stocked, very heavily fed tank may produce 2ppm. So there is really no need to aim for 4ppm ammonia/day unless one wants to be super sure even if something goes really terribly everything will be fine.

So with that said, you are fine to add fish now. Assuming your readings are correct, you can even fully stock it at once if you like.

Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to just do all my research and get into a routine. It's been cycling for months and I'm in no hurry...

Well, technically you only need to run through 2 ppm at most, as 2 ppm is that of a pretty heavily stocked tank. If you can run through 2 ppm within 24 hours, your cycle is pretty much done.

Awesome! Thanks so much.

 

[KingOscar]

I'd have added a few fish by now, but at a conservative level. Fishless or fish in, I always start up new tanks with very light stocking levels.

 

[Revan]

I personally believe in really light stocking levels. I should probably scale back my current stocking plan at some point.