Hey all, I apologize for not keeping everyone updated, it has been a busy week and as I'm about to explain, things have been going great!
On Thursday night I cleaned the filter as suggested, I had already added ammonia before reading OM's post. The next morning I tested and once again it was the typical 7.6 pH, 0.0 ppm ammonia, and 0.15 nitrite. Again, this was for 4 ppm of ammonia. I reread advice given to other people who were having similar troubles to mine with finishing off the cycling, and felt safe in adding around 60% of the stock. I did a 90% water change, tested again (obviously it was double zeroes), and later that afternoon went to the LFS. They weren't as fully stocked as usual, with hardly any cories of any kind. We requested that they order Julii cories (they always have labeled them as Julii but they are three-lined cories). So this is the stock we were able to get:
3 Bolivian Rams (1 M and 2 F)
7 Harlequin Rasboras
1 Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami
1 Golden Apple Snail
Eventually 5 more rasboras will be added, they only had 7 left that visit. I tested the water often and it has remained double zeroes without a doubt, and the pH is staying at 7.6. The Rams started showing a lot more color, the red outline in their fins has really become visible. Here is a full tank shot, I'll post individual photos of fish when the tank is fully stocked.
Photo is from a few days ago, before getting the corydoras.
Yesterday (Wednesday) the LFS got 12 three-lined cories in, so we went to pick up 6. They are doing wonderful so far, none seem lethargic, they all keep swimming all over the tank.
Obviously I don't want to speak too soon, but all of the fish seem to be doing fantastic, they're very active and have loads of personality. The Rams actually will take food directly from my hand, they are getting a light meal of flakes in the morning (as with the other fish) and then small cichlid pellets at night (1 per Ram). We bought a veggie clip for the snail to be fed lettuce, in addition he eats some of the corydoras' pellets. Actually all the fish go for those, so I may have to wait until night to put them in. I haven't seen the slightest sign of disease on any fish, so I'm hoping this remains to be true.
So I just wanted to give a status report and a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped, especially Waterdrop and OM, you guys really gave a lot of great advice and it's been wonderful to have such quick responses to all of my questions!
