Cycling. Adding fish today... Day 14. Good to go?

[dmbohn468]

Here are my numbers. Day ten huge spike in nitrates. Cherry red. Waited three days and re-tested. Nitrates down to 40. Did 40% water change. Nitrates now 20. Nitrites are not moving but apparently we aren't supposed to care about those nowadays? Ammonia has been close to 0 for the past few days. Am I safe to add fish? How often should I keep doing water changes? I plan on 50% every week for the first few months. Any advice would be great. This is my first tank. I have two clowns waiting at the LFS for me. I saw some posts about after 10 days you are cycled, but I am unsure and not too confident. Thanks.

Numbers

Day 14 post water change. Did 40% water change yesterday.

Day 10-11 results. Cherry red. Nitrates dropped shortly after. Ammonia dropped and seems to process ammonia drops within a day.

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

I think you would be clear for something hardy. Yeah ready to roll with 1 hardy fish

 

[dmbohn468]

I think you would be clear for something hardy

2 juvenile clowns would be what I would add today if I am able to

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

how big is your tank?

 

[dmbohn468]

how big is your tank?

Fluval evo 13.5

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

I would do one clown wait a two weeks then add another.

 

[dmbohn468]

I would do one clown wait a two weeks then add another.

Hmm. My LFS only sells in pairs.

 

[fishface NJ]

I agree wait two weeks between the fishes. One fish and wait for ammonia to stabilize. If you had a bigger tank then two would have worked.

 

[fishface NJ]

LFS are out to make money. I have never seen a LFS who would only sell in pairs

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

Hmm. My LFS only sells in pairs.

ask them if you can get just one

 

[Dburr1014]

Here are my numbers. Day ten huge spike in nitrates. Cherry red. Waited three days and re-tested. Nitrates down to 40. Did 40% water change. Nitrates now 20. Nitrites are not moving but apparently we aren't supposed to care about those nowadays? Ammonia has been close to 0 for the past few days. Am I safe to add fish? How often should I keep doing water changes? I plan on 50% every week for the first few months. Any advice would be great. This is my first tank. I have two clowns waiting at the LFS for me. I saw some posts about after 10 days you are cycled, but I am unsure and not too confident. Thanks.

Numbers

Day 14 post water change. Did 40% water change yesterday.

Day 10-11 results. Cherry red. Nitrates dropped shortly after. Ammonia dropped and seems to process ammonia drops within a day.

If you can get a small pair. The smallest ones they have. That's if you even want clowns.
As far as water changes, do one more big. I don't think you will need to do a series of them. You wouldn't want nitrates to go to zero. 5 to 15ppm is good.

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

If you can get a small pair. The smallest ones they have. That's if you even want clowns.
As far as water changes, do one more big. I don't think you will need to do a series of them. You wouldn't want nitrates to go to zero. 5 to 15ppm is good.

good advice