Can I Put Fish In Yet!

[mic8310]

Been on a fishless cycle 2 weeks now, with help of mature media everything is ticking over nicely. Ammonia is topped up to around 5ppm daily as it clears over 24 hours but I still have high N+N although I believe is dropping. I have 4 plants already in and plan on adding another 5 tomorrow, the tall thin leaved ones hide the filter box.
I've read the fishless cycle sticky and it says to do a big water change when its ready. If I do a 75% water change in the morning and went to the shop after lunch, would it be ok to buy a few fish - thinking a plec or 2 - whilst I'm buying the plants?

Or should I have a bit more patience and wait another week for fish?

 

[aaronnorth]

the ammonia should drop in about 12hrs, i would wait at least another week and see how things are going, most cycles take 4weeks at least (wihtout adding matured filter media)

 

[mic8310]

tbh i havent checked every 12 hours perhaps i should start to

 

[toshapetriji]

Mike you need to see both the ammonia and nitrite falling to zero in 12 hours. Once you manage that for a week you are good to go. Any sooner you are going to loose the fish.

You are doing well but need to wait I´m afraid

 

[mic8310]

Fair enough. Would it benifit from a water change at all?

 

[toshapetriji]

Fair enough. Would it benifit from a water change at all?

If the Nitrite reading is off the scale then certainly you can change 50 percent and cut back the ammonia a little. Keep testing the water each 12 hours to get an idea how fast its processing.

My cycle toók close to 6 weeks so really you are doing well. Get the temperature up to 30 degrees if not already that will also help.