Adding Fish

[kala201]

I setup my first fully planted tank and was wondering when I am able to add fish to it? A salesman at my local pet store told me that I should wait at least 3 months before adding any fish? Is this true? So far I have had my tank setup for almost a month and half. It has no CO2 of any kind although I do dose it with Excel once a week.

[Bugman]

Wow......three months? Have you done any testing of your water? Your worry is the ammonia and Nitrite levels. If you don't have a test kit, take a sample of your tank water to your lfs and they will probably test it for you. In a heavily planted tank I start adding fish in about a weeks time because the plants take care of the ammonia and nitrite. Since you say the tank is "fully planted" I would bet that after a month and a half you should have no issues adding fish slowly, but since you are new getting the water tested is advisable.

[kala201]

Hawaii's water is very clean and has very little to no nitrates and ammonia. We use our tap water for daily drinking and cooking. I guess perhaps I'll start adding some corys and work my way from there. Thanks.

[Ebichua]

Tap water shouldn't contain ammonia or nitrate to begin with. Or else water changes would be pointless.
The point of having a time period of no livestock is because the tank needs to cycle. In order to cycle, you need some kind of ammonia source to start it all up. If the tank was just sitting with nothing in there, then it probably didn't really start any sort of cycle. You may want to check your water parameters before you start adding stuff.

[midnightk]

exactly what ebichua said(no bio load no cycle start).. being from hawaii as well kala dont be scared to silent cycle our water is pretty cherry . especially if your tanks heavily planted.. just check params just in case your tanks mad acidic. but id think youd be okay GL