Cycling Question

[MItchell]

Hello everyone,

Recently I set up a 220L Amazon planted tank with a sump. I let it cycle for a week with the plants and 3 corys, I took a sample to the lfs so that they could test it for ammonia and nitrites. They said there shouldnt be any ammonia and only tested for nitrites, they got a reading of 25 with the test strips and told me I should wait a few days before adding any fish. So I waited 5 days and added two of my younger angelfish, after that I waited another 2 days and added a bristelnose. Today the tank has been cycling for 2 weeks.

I still want to add a school of about 10 cardinals to the tank. How long do I need to let the bacteria catch up to the bioload before I add the cardinals?

Thanks,
Mitch

[10i]

sera sell a product called nitrivec, you are supposed to be able to add fish the next day. it normally takes a few weeks to cycle a tank. did you use a mature filter or media from such a filter when you set up the tank? or use a product like nitrivec?

[Firefly]

Leave it for another week or so then introduce 5 cardinals. Maybe buy them now and quarantine them.

[MItchell]

I used mature filter media. The cardinals in EL are in short supply, none of the petshops have at the moment, so Ill have to wait before adding them.

[Marco]

MItchell-most definetly wait a while before adding cardinals. They will not survive bad water so you want to make sure that tank is perfect when you get them. Remember, most cardinals are wild caught and used to very clean water, so they are very sensitive!