Will this work?

Shiori · 03/30/2012, 01:49 PM

Hi Everyone!

So I was wondering, my tank is now cycled (

) and I cycled it doing a fishless cycle by adding household ammonia to the tank. In all the sites I read to research just how to do it that way, they say to do at least a 50% water change before adding livestock. At the same time I've read that it's good to let the tank water settle for a few days before adding livestock.

Now, my question is can I just add fish food to the tank in the interim after the water change and before I add livestock to keep the bacteria happy? I want to add the clean up crew first, but after emailing reefcleaners.org they said to wait until I have algae before adding them (is that true? or can I feed sinking pellets?), since I have no algae yet, guess I'll be waiting a bit.

Silly question I'm sure, but I just want to make sure I don't lose the bacteria I've worked so hard to grow.

Thanks in advance!

schatzi · 03/30/2012, 02:14 PM

Yes ghost feed the tank a bit to keep the bacteria going, and follow what reefcleaners tells you. Don't worry the algae will show up soon enough.

The water change after the cycle is probably a recommendation to help lower nitrates and/or phosphates. If you don't have much or any of these then you don't need to do one. test and see. keep a log.

jerseygurl · 03/30/2012, 02:42 PM

How long have you been cycling?

Have you been testing your levels?

What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels?

Once your cycle is complete and ammonia is a solid zero, you do water changes to get rid of the nitrate, then you can start adding stuff. But

Shiori · 03/31/2012, 01:56 AM

It was cycling for just over 3 weeks, probably around 3 and a half weeks honestly. Since last Sunday ammonia and nitrite have held at 0. Nitrates have been around 10-20.

I just did a big water change, about 45gals (it's a 75gal DT and 20gal sump), I tested all my levels again about 3hrs after the change and everything looks good, however nitrates are still around 10-15ppm and my pH is at 7.8, is that okay?

jamesbaur13 · 03/31/2012, 02:09 AM

Personally I'd wait a min of 2 months more and start stocking heartier corals like some LPS in the interim provided your water parameters are good enough.

I feel it's best to insure the elements that are parasitic to fish don't have a chance to survive. Waiting the extra 2 months gives you that.

I have no proof, but i seriously think my fish caught ich by it being hitch-hiked from cheato I purchased from an online vendor (to remain nameless).

Parasites, such as ich, can come in from anything. That's why it's important to QT everything to remain problem free and why I feel you should wait.

SKurj · 03/31/2012, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesbaur13

Personally I'd wait a min of 2 months more and start stocking heartier corals like some LPS in the interim provided your water parameters are good enough.

I feel it's best to insure the elements that are parasitic to fish don't have a chance to survive. Waiting the extra 2 months gives you that.

I have no proof, but i seriously think my fish caught ich by it being hitch-hiked from cheato I purchased from an online vendor (to remain nameless).

Parasites, such as ich, can come in from anything. That's why it's important to QT everything to remain problem free and why I feel you should wait.

Kinda sounds backwards... if you are suggesting the ich can come in on anything and he should wait 2 more months, shouldn't you be suggesting he not add anything which might bring ich into the tank for 2 months... if chaeto can bring in ich surely so can the corals...

03/30/2012, 01:49 PM	#1
Shiori Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bremerton, Washington Posts: 47	Will this work? Hi Everyone! So I was wondering, my tank is now cycled () and I cycled it doing a fishless cycle by adding household ammonia to the tank. In all the sites I read to research just how to do it that way, they say to do at least a 50% water change before adding livestock. At the same time I've read that it's good to let the tank water settle for a few days before adding livestock. Now, my question is can I just add fish food to the tank in the interim after the water change and before I add livestock to keep the bacteria happy? I want to add the clean up crew first, but after emailing reefcleaners.org they said to wait until I have algae before adding them (is that true? or can I feed sinking pellets?), since I have no algae yet, guess I'll be waiting a bit. Silly question I'm sure, but I just want to make sure I don't lose the bacteria I've worked so hard to grow. Thanks in advance!

03/30/2012, 02:14 PM	#2
schatzi Professional amateur Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: JC, MO Posts: 513	Yes ghost feed the tank a bit to keep the bacteria going, and follow what reefcleaners tells you. Don't worry the algae will show up soon enough. The water change after the cycle is probably a recommendation to help lower nitrates and/or phosphates. If you don't have much or any of these then you don't need to do one. test and see. keep a log. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef, 46g predator tank, 25g fuge, 39g frag/fuge, 70g sump, 29g clown tank.

03/31/2012, 02:09 AM	#5
jamesbaur13 Apsiring Alhcohlolic Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 772	Personally I'd wait a min of 2 months more and start stocking heartier corals like some LPS in the interim provided your water parameters are good enough. I feel it's best to insure the elements that are parasitic to fish don't have a chance to survive. Waiting the extra 2 months gives you that. I have no proof, but i seriously think my fish caught ich by it being hitch-hiked from cheato I purchased from an online vendor (to remain nameless). Parasites, such as ich, can come in from anything. That's why it's important to QT everything to remain problem free and why I feel you should wait. __________________ 120G AGA Dual Overflow, 40G B Sump, SRO-2000int, 2 Eheim 200w Heater, Eheim 1262 Return, BRS C & GFO React., BR-1000ss Biopellet React., Tunze 5017 ATO, 2 MP-40wes, DIY 76LED (36RB,24NW,6B,6CW,4Moon)

03/30/2012, 02:42 PM	#3
jerseygurl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 329	How long have you been cycling? Have you been testing your levels? What are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels? Once your cycle is complete and ammonia is a solid zero, you do water changes to get rid of the nitrate, then you can start adding stuff. But

03/31/2012, 01:56 AM	#4
Shiori Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bremerton, Washington Posts: 47	It was cycling for just over 3 weeks, probably around 3 and a half weeks honestly. Since last Sunday ammonia and nitrite have held at 0. Nitrates have been around 10-20. I just did a big water change, about 45gals (it's a 75gal DT and 20gal sump), I tested all my levels again about 3hrs after the change and everything looks good, however nitrates are still around 10-15ppm and my pH is at 7.8, is that okay?