Ammonia/Nitrate levels and fish.

Hey so I picked up some API test kits today. My 20gallon high is probably been setup for 5 weeks now. I just tested for Ammonia and on the color card it ranges from 0ppm to 8ppm. My corresponding color is most likely .25ppm or less. The nitrate color card ranges from 0ppm to 160ppm. My corresponding color was about maybe 1.5ppm (max) looks less than this but I just want to be safe. Im assuming based off these values I am ok to add my cleanup crew, but what about a fish? I have a chromis that has been in my tank for a few weeks that seems to be doing fine ( I know i never should have added him, LFS said it was ok.......now i know better) But what do you think about my values and their affect on livestock? Thanks for all the help 3reef, glad i joined.

 

What kind of fish are you planning to add? .25 may be ok for hardy fish but I'd wait a few more weeks until ammonia is undetectable.

 

I was thinking any 1 of the following, just looking to get some life moving in the tank (Until i order my CuC from reefcleaners).

-Emerald Crab
-Hermit Crabs
-Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
-Banded Goby
-Bi color blenny
-Some sort of Pesudochomis (Royal Gramma maybe)?
I would be open to adding an occellaris clown, however I heard they become territorial when added to a tank before all other livestock. What do you think?

 

Ok this is what im thinking then. Either of these options:
1. 3 Hermit Crabs + 1 Emerald Crab
or
2. 1 Cleaner Shrimp

By the way I already have 2 turbo snails in here doing well, so Im assuming the cleanup crew would be fine. What do you think.

 

Some hermits would probably do ok since you have a fish in there that your feeding they can scavenge uneaten fish food.Emeralds prefer algae and you might not have enough growimg yet.When testing levels in a newly started cycling tank,it's the ammonia and nitrite levels that are most important,not so much nitrates.After your ammonia has risen and dropped nitrites should do the same.Both are harmful to fish whereas nitrates are not unless the nitrate level is very high.

 

Thanks for the help. I will for now most likely stick to the 3 hermit crabs. However if later I choose to pickup the emerald crab, cant i just supplement the lack of algae with algae wafers for its diet?

 

I would wait a little longer and keep checking those levels before adding a cleaner shrimp or any other fish.After the ammonia and nitrite levels have dropped to zero you should see nitrate levels rise some and finally stabilize.The nitrates will not drop to zero,that's ok so long as they don't keep rising to a high level(over 40ppm).Then you're cycled and could add one of your other choices.Try to be patient and things should go well.

 

Ive never tried it,mine just graze on the rock constantly,they also hide very well and like to move around and feed after lights out.

 

Picked up the 3 hermits, acclimating them now. I will pickup a nitrite test kit as soon as i can. I will continue to test daily for the next week and see if the nitrates peak which i now know will show my cycle ending. Thanks.