newbie with 90g set up - can i add fish now ?

[3bavboys]

last thursday tank was set up - water and salt only
last fri live sand
sunday 100 lbs of live rock
wet/dry and prot skimmer running since thursday
can i ?
looking to add 3 small ones - have 3 kids - they all get to pick one, if water quality checks out at lfs
:happyfish

 

[bigarn]

The tank has to cycle first.

 

[fraggle_a]

Yea. the tank has to Cycle..
You have another few days to go yet my friend.
Check your Ammonia levels and post them here. Someone will let you know if the tank is ready for fish.
Trust me, dont add fish too soon or you could possibly kill them.

 

[3bavboys]

even with live sand and live rock ?
lfs owner told me i wouldbe able to, if levels check out
you guys think , way too soon ?

 

[my way]

you most likely will have some die off from the rock and sand. This will cause the ammonia levels to raise and you need time for the bacteria to multiply to a level that consume it. so no you should not add any fish at this time. Do you have a test kit? If not get one, once your ammonia and nitrite levels go up and then back to 0. you are ready to slowly add your fish. I would buy 1 at a time unless you are buying species that need to be added at the same time.

 

[cain420]

i imagine the lfs is looking to sell his damsels.. a cycle could kill the fish you put in there and disappoint the kids tremendously... can take weeks to cycle a tank, and the occasional months.. depends on how good the bacteria multiply and do their jobs! i think some are just plain lazy!