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07/28/2006, 07:42 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 27
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Cycling and Damsels?
Hello,
I am just about to start my first tank and I have read that Damsels can be used to speed up cycling. Is this true? Are there any other species that can assist? Jeff |
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07/28/2006, 07:47 AM
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#2 |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 928
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If you are using live rock in your tank there is no need at all to use a live fish to cycle your tank. The live rock will cycle your tank. Not to mention damsels are very aggresive and most people regret getting them later on.
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07/28/2006, 07:47 AM
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#3 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Bailey, CO
Posts: 896
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It is true, but it isn't good for the fish. Not to mention that if you don't want those nasty buggers in your tank, they are very difficult to catch.
Best to just put the rock in and wait. Throw some shrimp in once in a while and then get snails and hermits. Take your time and the tank will cycle on its own. When ready to stock, do so slowly. What size tank?
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Drew I'm growing older but not up My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck Let those winds of time blow over my head I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead--Jimmy Buffett Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Red Sea Max, setting up a 180 |
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07/28/2006, 07:53 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 27
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It is a 20g tank. Is this tank to small do you think?
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07/28/2006, 07:58 AM
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#5 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Bailey, CO
Posts: 896
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No, I have a 20 and a 26. They are great tanks, just dont put more than 2 or 3 small fish in there. Have fun, and good luck.
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Drew I'm growing older but not up My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck Let those winds of time blow over my head I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead--Jimmy Buffett Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Red Sea Max, setting up a 180 |
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07/28/2006, 07:59 AM
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#6 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,727
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I don't think any tank is too small
 If you want to gather some ideas check out the Nano forum here or even hop on over to nano-reef.com where some folks have nice pictures of their nano tanks (really, what, 29ish and under folks call nano?)It is up to your personal preference. And yes to cycle you can throw in a cocktail shrimp from the grocery store and have it decay- once you begin to detect ammonia pull it out right away so it doesnt really make your tank yucky... it can be agood way to help start a cycle without harming any living critters
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You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS |
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07/28/2006, 08:01 AM
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#7 |
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RC Mod
 
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a pinch of formula one flake food a day---at your size, about 1/32 of a tsp--should do the trick.
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Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. |
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