Am I finally ready for a CUC?

rpjones7 · 09/30/2013, 08:28 PM

Hey guys,

I have been reading this forum for quite a while as well as some Australian ones but this is my first post

I have bought a Aqua medic Blenny which is a 80L Nano, I still have all the stock equipment on it as you can see here
http://www.aqua-medic.com/product/blenny-nano-aquarium/

I set it up on the 3rd of September using RO water and Marin reef salt mix. so It has been running for just under 1 month.

I have been doing tests and watching it cycle and THINK that it may be ready for a clean up crew?

my tests for this morning are as follows (using red sea reef care kit)

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 20 (on the chart)
Phosphates = 0.19 (aparently half of that is good?) will figure out how to lower
Alk (KH) = 8.4
Calcium = 400
temp stays are around 25-26.5 celsius.

I did my first partial water change yesterday of 20 litres (so 25%)

I still have a fair bit of Diatoms on the substrate and a bit on the glass (using Serenity Natural Aragonite coral sand for substrate)

Does it sound like it is ready for my first tenants yet? or should I wait until all the diatoms are gone?

Thank you in advance.. this is a great forum!

Ryan

rpjones7 · 10/01/2013, 02:46 AM

wow, not even one view..

PaulieReef · 10/01/2013, 05:52 AM

CUC can be weird.. some people say they do nothing but convert fish poop to snail poop etc. I personally like them just for the look, I would however stay away from hermits/crabs in general. I found they are will pick some coral and once big enough kill a fish.

Stick with snails, they are safer :P

Lincutis · 10/01/2013, 06:14 AM

I would try one or two snails if they do well then get a fish. After the fish does well, then populate with the fish you desire and add a clean up crew. This will give them a little poop to eat.

09/30/2013, 08:28 PM	#1
rpjones7 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 17	Am I finally ready for a CUC? Hey guys, I have been reading this forum for quite a while as well as some Australian ones but this is my first post I have bought a Aqua medic Blenny which is a 80L Nano, I still have all the stock equipment on it as you can see here http://www.aqua-medic.com/product/blenny-nano-aquarium/ I set it up on the 3rd of September using RO water and Marin reef salt mix. so It has been running for just under 1 month. I have been doing tests and watching it cycle and THINK that it may be ready for a clean up crew? my tests for this morning are as follows (using red sea reef care kit) Ammonia = 0 Nitrite = 0 Nitrate = 20 (on the chart) Phosphates = 0.19 (aparently half of that is good?) will figure out how to lower Alk (KH) = 8.4 Calcium = 400 temp stays are around 25-26.5 celsius. I did my first partial water change yesterday of 20 litres (so 25%) I still have a fair bit of Diatoms on the substrate and a bit on the glass (using Serenity Natural Aragonite coral sand for substrate) Does it sound like it is ready for my first tenants yet? or should I wait until all the diatoms are gone? Thank you in advance.. this is a great forum! Ryan

10/01/2013, 06:14 AM	#4
Lincutis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Columbus Posts: 1,911	I would try one or two snails if they do well then get a fish. After the fish does well, then populate with the fish you desire and add a clean up crew. This will give them a little poop to eat. __________________ Lindsey ( That's Mr. Smith to you ) . Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder with 20 gallon sump./Apex, AI Sol Blue, In Sump Skimmer, Geo Calcium Reactor, WP-25 Wave Pump, Tunze Nano ATO, Carbon/GFO Reactors

10/01/2013, 02:46 AM	#2
rpjones7 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 17	wow, not even one view..

10/01/2013, 05:52 AM	#3
PaulieReef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 291	CUC can be weird.. some people say they do nothing but convert fish poop to snail poop etc. I personally like them just for the look, I would however stay away from hermits/crabs in general. I found they are will pick some coral and once big enough kill a fish. Stick with snails, they are safer :P