Fishless Cycling - Add a fish?

[2Shi]

Hi all,

There is a small Cory in a bad environment (small tank with no heat, light, or filter). He doesn't belong to me and I can't ask the owner to buy all the necessary equipment. He is currently in poor health.

I currently started cycling my new tank with 3ppm of ammonia. It has only been 1 day. I want to save the Cory but will I kill it if I put it into my tank?

[2Shi]

Bump. Plz respond asap. Want to save fish if possible.

[lohachata]

no fish with ammonia in the tank..if you leave the tank alone for about a week you could then add a fish...but no more ammonia...and make sure you do a couple of 30% water changes between now and then...

[emc7]

Or do a 100% water change with dechlor and temp match, wait overnight and let the poor fish live through a fish-in cycle.

But you will kill it if you put it in with ammonia.

[weedkiller]

imagine breathing burning air..
can always invest in a cheap heater for time being and then you have a spare if your goes pop... never hurts to have a spare..