I have a 14 gallon Biocube. My Ammonia and Nitrite have hit 0, and I have done a water change to bring the nitrates to about 5ppm. The cycle took 10 days with liverock, aragonite(dry) sand and a table shrimp. I didn't add any bottled bacteria. Should I add a clownfish or should I double check my cycle with another piece of shrimp? Just wondering if I add the fish if the ammonia from its waste wont be eaten by the bacteria fast enough and will kill the fish. Thanks guys! :fish1:
Adding my first fish!
- Thread starter 14Biocube
- Start date
AirForceAquariu
Member
So for future reference I would post general questions such as this in the "New to the Hobby" area. To specifically answer you: it would never hurt to be sure. If you have recorded your cycle through and have seen the nitrite rise and fall then it may be time to add a fish. I will advocate that you QT your fish though to prevent disease from entering your newly cycled tank.
lifeoffaith
Member
A clownfish would probably be your best bet actually if you're going to add a fish at this stage. They are quite hardy. I would still keep an eye on parameters though.
what happens if my parameters get out of hand?
hotelbravo
Active member
water changes, water changes, and more water changes.
idk if id put clownfish in a 14 gallon. they tend to claim a larger volume of water for territory and you might not be able to keep another fish in there. id stick with smaller gobies or something and personally id wait atleast another week. just because the nitrates and ammonia hit 0 doesnt mean its completely done and that it will stay at 0.
It processed 2 ppm in 24 hours. Im using cured live rock if that makes a difference. does that seems right?
Deinonych
New member
You're probably good, then!
scooter31707
New member
If I am understanding your OP, you are asking if the tank is ready for fish. Table shrimp will not give you that answer. You need to find some pure ammonia and pour it straight into the tank until it reaches 2.0ppm. In 24hrs, their is no ammonia or nirite which broken into nirates, then your tank is fully cycled.
Dkuhlmann
New member
There is no reason that you can't get a clownfish. I would stick with either Ocellaris or Percula or any of the designer clownfish of those species.
Your cycle was short since you used lr to begin with and it was apparently good rock without too much die off of bacteria.
Yes you can test your cycle with ammonia before you add any creatures but at this point I'd select a small cuc and wait a week or two then find your clownfish.
Your cycle was short since you used lr to begin with and it was apparently good rock without too much die off of bacteria.
Yes you can test your cycle with ammonia before you add any creatures but at this point I'd select a small cuc and wait a week or two then find your clownfish.
why cant i add the fish first?
