Tank cycled, but fish taking longer to get than expected

[Matt Miller]

Saturday I'm doing my almost full WC after cycling, so I'm ready for fish.....but it looks like it's going to be a while till I can get them.

Should I be worried about bacteria die off or will everything be ok if it's 2+ weeks till I get fish?

My system is a 20g waterbox, cycled with Dr tims one and only, ammonia and fish flakes, as directed on here. 2 weeks tomorrow, nitrates have been about 20 and ammonia almost completely gone.

I don't see any algae in the tank, I'm going no lights 4-6 months in hopes to keep uglies down.

I'm in NW Ohio and want 2 frostbite clowns, and bta's once tanks been stabilized a while. I'm having trouble finding the clowns nearby, I'd rather pick them up from a good shop with multiples instead of ordering this time of year.

Anyway I'm rambling, it's too early for any cuc right? Or would it help keep the tank cycled and building my bioload? Not sure if I'm saying that right but hope it makes sense lol.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

What ammonia source are you using? With ammonia chloride, you can just keep dosing that daily to achieve 0.5 mg/l ammonia on your test, and that should be consumed daily. Then, 48 hours prior to receiving the fish, stop adding it.
Jay

 

[Matt Miller]

What ammonia source are you using? With ammonia chloride, you can just keep dosing that daily to achieve 0.5 mg/l ammonia on your test, and that should be consumed daily. Then, 48 hours prior to receiving the fish, stop adding it.
Jay

Dr Tim's ammonium chloride is what I'm using, and thanks I can do that easy enough!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Dr Tim's ammonium chloride is what I'm using, and thanks I can do that easy enough!

Just double check that the ammonia level has dropped to zero before adding fish. Nitrite levels aren't really an issue with marine fish, so as long as the ammonia is being assimilated in 24h, you should be fine. Don't overload the new system with too many fish at once and definitely don't overfeed. Uneaten food needs a different group of bacteria to decompose it, so if there is any leftover food, you should remove it.

Jay

 

[Matt Miller]

Just double check that the ammonia level has dropped to zero before adding fish. Nitrite levels aren't really an issue with marine fish, so as long as the ammonia is being assimilated in 24h, you should be fine. Don't overload the new system with too many fish at once and definitely don't overfeed. Uneaten food needs a different group of bacteria to decompose it, so if there is any leftover food, you should remove it.

Jay

Thanks, I haven't even been checking nitrite just trates and ammonia.

2 clowns to start, and I was considering pods just not sure when to add.