Is it too late to cycle?

[Think]

So, as warned on these boards, the pet stores don't tell you to cycle your tank first...

I have a 20 Gallon long tank with 5 neon tetra's and a 30g Aquaclear filter with Biomax. It's been running for 3 days, the neons school happily, and the pH is 7.0. Everything is dandy. But I never cycled the tank before I introduced the fish...

Is it too late or will it naturally cycle without my help over the next few weeks?

[Lady Hobbs]

Fish constantly add ammonia by their waste and from their gills. You have not had time yet for these ammonia levels to rise.

Before long you will have levels that will require water changes daily if you want to keep them alive.

Please read the newbie tips regarding cycling in red (stickie) in tank set-up.

[SkarloeysMom]

So, as warned on these boards, the pet stores don't tell you to cycle your tank first...

I have a 20 Gallon long tank with 5 neon tetra's and a 30g Aquaclear filter with Biomax. It's been running for 3 days, the neons school happily, and the pH is 7.0. Everything is dandy. But I never cycled the tank before I introduced the fish...

Is it too late or will it naturally cycle without my help over the next few weeks?

My guess is that those neon tetras will not survive the cycle. They are very delicate fish to start with. If you can return them to the place you bought them I suggest you do that and then do the fishless cycle as Hobbs suggested.

[genitor]

Also you should put sponge along with the biomax in your aquaclear, preferably before the biomax. The sponge would catch particulate matter before it reaches the biomax.

[zackish]

You MIGHT get lucky and they will live because 5 small fish like neons for a 20 gallon tank isn't half bad as far as waste and such. I would take Lady Hobbs advice though, get some test kits and you might have to change water every day.

[A340]

Leave the fish in, buy a bottle of Seachem's Stability and add a capful or two everyday for 7 days and everything will be fine.