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First, some of the stats that might be helpful in answering my question(s)...

Tank size: 20g
Tank inhabitants: pair of male Cherry Barbs
ph: 7.8
Temp.: 78 degrees (F)
Ammonia: 0.25
NitrIte: 0
NitrAte: 5.0

- The tank has been set up (filter running) for 5-6 days.
- Cherry Barbs are going on their 3rd day in the tank. Eating, swimming, great color; no problems.
- NI Cycle added same day as Cherry Barbs

After posting on the Bottom Feeders board, I have decided to start my school of Harlequin Rasboras before my stocking my Panda Cories.

Granted nothing major happens with my tank and things go along as scheduled, when would be a decent time to start my school of Harlies? I plan on getting 7 of them, and since my cycling isn't completed yet, how many of the 7 should I get first?

Are the two small Cherry Barbs going to be enough of a load to really get the cycling going (the way the NI Cycle instructions say it will) or will adding some Harlies actually be beneficial to the process?

I also have a question about stocking my tank which hopefully someone can answer and not just simply be confused.

I've read posts on this board where people who are using NI Cycle say they just added all of their fish at the same time and everything was fine. I personally do not want to do this and risk any kind of major spike. So, what would be the best way to continue stocking my tank? Say I go ahead and add 4 Harlies in with my Barbs... If the numbers all look good, how long should I wait before continuing to add fish? I guess, basically my question is, after I add a few fish how soon after would a spike occur if it was even going to? (I hope that question came out right.)

Obviously I want to do what is best for the fish, I guess part of me is just getting all excited and impatient...

Thanks to anyone who can answer my (somewhat confusing) questions or anyone who just wants to give their opinion.

Personally I'm not sure cherry barbs are the best to cycle with, but since they're in there just keep a close eye on them. The Cycle should help.

Do not add any new fish till after the cycle has compleated and ammonia and nitrIte are both @zero.

From what I've read both harlies and cherry prefer planted tanks, you may want to make sure that they are in place before getting the harlies.

^_^ [hr width='40%']"Somewhere beyond happiness and sadness
I need to calculate,what creates my own madness...
and I am waiting for disaster"

Yep, I'm with the babel.

There is no absolute time-frame when it's right to add more fish. The only way to do it is to watch your ammonia and nitrite and be sure they are 0 before adding the next fish. When you add the harlies, maybe add three at a time and see how the ammonia levels go.

I have no experience with cherry barbs but my gold and rosy barbs were all very hardy so I hope you'll be fine cycling with the cherries. Also with the New Improved Cycle (NIC) you should avoid the worst of the ammonia spikes.

Good luck.

These fish you're talking about are pretty hardy if you're tank has been running for a week, and the barbs look colorful and happy then i would say its ok to add more fish.

p.s take the time to invest in some live plants there is nothing like a well planted aquarium!