Is it good timing for first fishes?

[AquaDesignHK]

Hi friends,

I'm very new to saltwater, but got some experience with freshwater and planted tanks.

I'm setting up a new tank. Around 40gal. İ filled water and added small piece of live rock (3 kg) about 1 month ago.

And added rest of the rocks (not live, dry ones) about 1 week ago. By the way whole system is working over 1 month, including protein skimmer, wave maker and lighting. During this period, I used seachem stability and azoo bacteria powder at recommended portions. And 4 days ago I add 1 bulb of Prodibio Bioptim. So, water is crystal clear now. I saw Hundreds of copepods on my glasses yesterday. And according API stripe test, no nitrite, no nitrate, around 8 pH.

Everything's seems all right.

I'm planning to keep some easy-to-care corals and fishes. So, can I add at least 1 clown fish now? Or should I start with some snails first? Maybe 1 snail and one clown fish? I can wait more for corals but I want to see some fishes now.

I gave all the information, if I forgot anything please let me know.

[Azedenkae]

Originally Posted by AquaDesignHK

Hi friends,

I'm very new to saltwater, but got some experience with freshwater and planted tanks.

I'm setting up a new tank. Around 40gal. İ filled water and added small piece of live rock (3 kg) about 1 month ago.

And added rest of the rocks (not live, dry ones) about 1 week ago. By the way whole system is working over 1 month, including protein skimmer, wave maker and lighting. During this period, I used seachem stability and azoo bacteria powder at recommended portions. And 4 days ago I add 1 bulb of Prodibio Bioptim. So, water is crystal clear now. I saw Hundreds of copepods on my glasses yesterday. And according API stripe test, no nitrite, no nitrate, around 8 pH.

Everything's seems all right.

I'm planning to keep some easy-to-care corals and fishes. So, can I add at least 1 clown fish now? Or should I start with some snails first? Maybe 1 snail and one clown fish? I can wait more for corals but I want to see some fishes now.

I gave all the information, if I forgot anything please let me know.

Well, has your aquarium gone through the initial cycle? Or more precisely I guess, have you ensured that you filtration system is capable of handling the eventual bioload? If yes, go ahead with the Clown and snails. If not, then don't add either.

[scooter31707]

I would ditch the API strip test as they are inaccurate, you can use the liquid API which will give you a better result, but API is nowhere as accurate than the other test kits out there like Red Sea or Salifert. IMO, recommend not to put nothing in the tank until you can get a reliable test kit. Also are you planning on quarantine everything that goes into your tank, it's a very good idea to do so, even crabs, snails, and corals.

[AquaDesignHK]

Thanks for answers,

I think my tanks is cycled now. And as amount of live rock and capacity of PS, I guess I have enough filtration.
I actually bought a snail today. Seems OK for first hour. Grazing on the glass.

I agree with stripe tests not very accurate. But at least I can get some idea. Anyway I'll get some liquid ones. By the way I want to ask about quarantine tank.

Usually I don't use quarantine tank on my freshwater tanks. Probably I can't prepare fully equipped tank as quarantine tank, so how long I should keep them in QT before add? Can I just use an empty 20 litre tank and an air stone?

And last question, I was observing my snail, I saw something strange. She related something look like cigarette smoke from its tube. Very thin line of some milky liquid or dust. Is that normal? I never seen any fresh water snails like this.

Thanks again for answers.

[top shelf]

I agree with scooter, best to get liquid tests even if its the api I'd recommend if you can afford it salifert. Once you have that if you want to be sure get some liquid ammonia without all the surficants and extra junk in it then add it to 3ppm and if your tank can process the ammonia and nitrite to 0ppm in 24hrs your good to go.

I say the liquid ammonia over fish food or raw shrimp because it can be added precisely and you dont have to wait for say a shrimp or food to break down and build up.

[top shelf]

As for quarantine a bare bottom tank big enough for the inhabitant with some PVC pipe and a hob filter is best. You want to quarantine for about 8 weeks this gives enough time to properly watch the fish and observe it to make sure it doesn't need treated.

As for the snail its just a guess but I'd say its probably dust from your sand.

[AquaDesignHK]

https://youtu.be/6l07HYSkoTw

This is the video of smoking snail. I hope we can find out.

[top shelf]

Could be spawning, some snails broadcast spawn and will expel eggs/semen into the water column. My nassarius snails spawned like the 1 or 2 night in my tank and I noticed eggs on a rock a few days later

[AquaDesignHK]

Ok thanks. My wife also guessed as sperma or eggs. So how long it will take to say my tank is ready for a clown fish? (if snail will survive)

[AquaDesignHK]

Edit: smoking snail is reproduction habit. Totally normal. Thanks RC forum!

[addictedreefer]

I doubt your tank has cycled if you added dry rock a week ago. It can take many weeks for the "funk" to cook off dry rocks. You mentioned nitrite and nitrate, but have you tested ammonia?

[jayball]

Originally Posted by AquaDesignHK

Ok thanks. My wife also guessed as sperma or eggs. So how long it will take to say my tank is ready for a clown fish? (if snail will survive)

Have you introduced any ammonia source before now? I am afraid you may not have with a nitrate reading of 0, your system is not mature enough to process large amounts to nitrogen gas.

It would be harder to do now with the snail but a good test would be to spike the aquarium with a source of pure ammonia with no surficants. (I use ace hardware brand janitorial strength floor ammonia) Your system should be able to process 2PPM ammonia to undetectable ammonia and nitrite overnight, at a minimum. At this point you should be able to see the nitrate spike a few PPM.

Sans this you should ghost feed for at least a week then check your levels and move slow with the fish. You are probably going to see a small cycle at some point if you add fish now.

[AquaDesignHK]

Right after filling sand and water, more than 1 month ago, I added 3kg live rock from an active tank. Also I used Seachem Stability and azoo powder bacteria stuff. I didn't add any ammonia, just I trust a them. So my to do list:

Grab some liquid tests, try to find ammonia, and see what happens.

I hope little horny snail will be fine.

Thanks again for answers

[scooter31707]

I have a 10 gallon QT for snails, shrimps, crabs, and corals. Corals stay in there for 12 weeks which they get at least 2 coral dips during that time frame. The shrimp, snails, and crabs usually 6 weeks. I have a 20 gallon long QT that is for the fish. They usually stay in there for 8 weeks if no signs of infections or diseases. I agree with everyone else, you truly might not be cycle, only way to find out is the ammonia test.

[scooter31707]

The difference between quarantine saltwater and freshwater is the saltwater fish are usually caught from the wild, process, and then ship to the pet store, then taken to our homes. that is a lot of stress for them fish and have to adapt to alot of things causing infections and diseases. Freshwater fish are usually tank raised which are alot easier. Also freshwater you can almost treat the tank with any medication IMO. Saltwater you cannot do that as you will kill live rock, snails, crabs, shrimp, and all the bacterial.

[AquaDesignHK]

Just a question about Seachem Stability.

From Seachem website:

"Fish and other aquatic species may be introduced at any time as long as dosage is maintained for 7 days. "
So is that just a gimmick?

I never have problems on freshwater. Just I'm using ADA aquasoil which already releases ammonia in the beginning . But saltwater is another story. It will be a little hard to find pure ammonia in Hong Kong. I'll see what can I do.

[addictedreefer]

Don't trust everything you read on the side of a bottle. Go slow and play by the rules regardless of any "magic" solution claimed by a chemical company.

[jminick2]

Originally Posted by scooter31707

I have a 10 gallon QT for snails, shrimps, crabs, and corals. Corals stay in there for 12 weeks which they get at least 2 coral dips during that time frame. The shrimp, snails, and crabs usually 6 weeks. I have a 20 gallon long QT that is for the fish. They usually stay in there for 8 weeks if no signs of infections or diseases. I agree with everyone else, you truly might not be cycle, only way to find out is the ammonia test.

dang, nothing bad going in your tank!

[AquaDesignHK]

By the way, can I take "appearance of copepod in large numbers" as a good sign? Also little tube worms still alive on the first live rock, and some bubble algae appeared 2 weeks ago on LR.

[top shelf]

Pods are a good sign along with tube worms but IMO pods seems to be pretty hardy. I added a ball of chaeto with my live rock when I first started my tank and they made it through about 4-5 days straight of dosing pure ammonia to 3ppm back down to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and in one instance 4ppm. If you can't find the right ammonia I believe there's a Dr. Tims product that is made for a fishless cycle and has ammonia in it.

[jminick2]

Originally Posted by top shelf

Pods are a good sign along with tube worms but IMO pods seems to be pretty hardy. I added a ball of chaeto with my live rock when I first started my tank and they made it through about 4-5 days straight of dosing pure ammonia to 3ppm back down to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and in one instance 4ppm. If you can't find the right ammonia I believe there's a Dr. Tims product that is made for a fishless cycle and has ammonia in it.

+1 used established rock from old tank to cycle a new one and pods lived through the whole thing. They hardy like roaches!

[AquaDesignHK]

I searched some Seachem Stability threads. Mostly comments are not in same direction. Many cases finalised by no signs of cycling process but strangely no dead fish...
By the way can i add some fish food and check out ammonia rising and lowering? Will it work to understand cycling process?

Anyway as final result, my tank is not completely cycled but not in the beginning. I will test my water properly first.

[top shelf]

You can add fish food or raw shrimp you just have to wait a couple days for it to decompose and produce ammonia is all so it just takes more time. Thats the upside to liquid ammonia there's no wait and you'll know in 24hrs plus its precise.

Snails are fairly hardy to from what I've seen so it should be alright in there for now as long as params dont get to rediculous.

[AquaDesignHK]

Thanks to everyone for contribution. I will go for fish food method first. After all I'll post some photos of this trouble tank.

Cheers.

[Azedenkae]

Originally Posted by AquaDesignHK

I searched some Seachem Stability threads. Mostly comments are not in same direction. Many cases finalised by no signs of cycling process but strangely no dead fish...
By the way can i add some fish food and check out ammonia rising and lowering? Will it work to understand cycling process?

Anyway as final result, my tank is not completely cycled but not in the beginning. I will test my water properly first.

Yes, you can add fish food to see how your filtration system deals with it, that's what I meant by asking about whether the filtration system is up to par. Testing your filtration capacity is how to determine if your aquarium has gone through the initial cycle or otherwise.

Just knowing your parameters are zero is nothing conclusive. A common aquarium misconception.