Skyrmir
Aquarium Advice FINatic
One inch of fish per gallon will produce enough ammonia to reach toxic levels in 1 day (permanent although usually not debilitating damage), after 2 days weaker fish will start to die, the hardier the fish, the longer they'll last. Neon's usually start to fall over dead within 2-3 days, others start to follow soon after. Even Betta's that can breath air when needed can die from thier own ammonia poisoning.
Less fish per gallon mitigate the process a bit, as usually within a week or two the ammonia cycle finishes up. Fish that survive to that point are weakened and likely to end up with tumors or infections. Once the ammonia portion of the cycle finishes, the nitrites start to climb. It's just as bad for the fish, but drawn out over weeks instead of days. Depending on fish to water ratio, temperature, o2 and filtration the nitrite part of the cycle will take 2-6 weeks. Without water changes, only the hardiest of fish will survive until the end.
Once the cycle is finished, your tests should show 0 ammonia and nitrite and your nitrates will begin to climb. Weekly water changes take care of the nitrates, and it's safe to add a few fish at a time.
Since you already have fish in the tank, I'd say either take them back to the LFS and finish the cycle with store bought ammonia, or daily 50% water changes for the next month or so until the cycle finishes.
Less fish per gallon mitigate the process a bit, as usually within a week or two the ammonia cycle finishes up. Fish that survive to that point are weakened and likely to end up with tumors or infections. Once the ammonia portion of the cycle finishes, the nitrites start to climb. It's just as bad for the fish, but drawn out over weeks instead of days. Depending on fish to water ratio, temperature, o2 and filtration the nitrite part of the cycle will take 2-6 weeks. Without water changes, only the hardiest of fish will survive until the end.
Once the cycle is finished, your tests should show 0 ammonia and nitrite and your nitrates will begin to climb. Weekly water changes take care of the nitrates, and it's safe to add a few fish at a time.
Since you already have fish in the tank, I'd say either take them back to the LFS and finish the cycle with store bought ammonia, or daily 50% water changes for the next month or so until the cycle finishes.