LFS Fish Tales? Question About Adding Fish To New Tank..

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 10:39 AM

While buying LR at my LFS last night, one of the employees told me I could add Damsels to a tank that's only been up and running for 2 or 3 days.. She stated that the "sacrifish" will help the tank to cycle.

Is this true?

Rustylugnuts · 01/20/2009, 10:51 AM

It is true that the sacrifish works but it's no better than using a frozen or fresh shrimp to kick start the cycle.

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 10:59 AM

So, does this mean the Damsel will more than likely die?

michellejy · 01/20/2009, 12:07 PM

It may survive, but it will be living in horrible conditions. The die off and resulting ammonia spike from live rock alone is enough for your cycle. Plus if it lives and you don't want a damsel in your tank long term, it's VERY difficult to get back out.

mm949 · 01/20/2009, 12:10 PM

save the fish...just add live rock...it will cycle the tank naturally

svynx · 01/20/2009, 12:13 PM

+1 on getting them out. One of the biggest mistakes I've made was to put damsels in my tank. It took me about 2 hours to get all the rock out safely in order to take 5 fish out. Not worth the trouble. IMO don't get them. They are very territorial, and if you get shy fish, more than likely you won't see them. The die off from the LR should be enough to start your cycle, but you can toss in a raw shrimp or the like to get it going. Welcome to saltwater.

Sk8r · 01/20/2009, 04:34 PM

Inhumane and unnecessary. Use a pinch of fishfood daily (just as you would for a damsel) and the tank will cycle. Stop the fishfood a day after you see ammonia spike, and when you're ammonia-free, you're cycled.

It's not the fish that cycles the tanks, you may tell them from me, it's feeding it. It's only if the fish DIES that it cycles the tank, and that's completely unnnecessary.

If that is a sample of their expertise, do not believe them about substrate, skimmers, filters (unneeded) and medications, among others, and I would not trust them on a proper tank, either. That advice is from the 1980's and prior.

At the top of this forum you will find several threads marked with the symbol *. Read those thoroughly before you buy anything.

mickela · 01/20/2009, 05:57 PM

Most of us here have listened to our lfs before we found this site and payed dearley for it so any questions just ask here and we will gladley help you out and save you a ton of money on mistakes.The lfs is just looking to make a sale

Macimage · 01/20/2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Inhumane and unnecessary. Use a pinch of fishfood daily (just as you would for a damsel) and the tank will cycle. Stop the fishfood a day after you see ammonia spike, and when you're ammonia-free, you're cycled.

It's not the fish that cycles the tanks, you may tell them from me, it's feeding it. It's only if the fish DIES that it cycles the tank, and that's completely unnnecessary.

If that is a sample of their expertise, do not believe them about substrate, skimmers, filters (unneeded) and medications, among others, and I would not trust them on a proper tank, either. That advice is from the 1980's and prior.

I agree 1000%.

noboddi · 01/20/2009, 06:34 PM

inhumane way to treat a fish. You can make ammonia by putting a piece of raw shrimp in. You have to be very careful with LFS's

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 06:51 PM

Thanks a lot to everyone that has replied. You have been very helpful and I appreciate your time.. and so do the Damsels from my LFS. Had I listened to the LFS without asking first, I'd have one or two in my tank right now.

Whys · 01/20/2009, 07:02 PM

So january_girl, off topic I know, but what calendar? :]

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whys
So january_girl, off topic I know, but what calendar? :]

lol.. If any, it'd be one of those pocket planner kind..

(It's my birthday month)

loosecannon · 01/20/2009, 08:09 PM

The live rock is all you need. J girl let the damsels live!

Whys · 01/20/2009, 08:11 PM

Sorry, I took your "I work with tools" differently. Figured it was an occupational hazard.

Happy Birthday!

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by loosecannon
The live rock is all you need. J girl let the damsels live!

I will not be putting damsels (or any other fish) in my tank until it has cycled. Well, maybe a frozen shrimp or something I can buy that has already expired..

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whys
Sorry, I took your "I work with tools" differently. Figured it was an occupational hazard.

Happy Birthday!

Actually, that is a direct.. indirect comment about a few of my co-workers. *That sentence totally makes sense in my head*

Thanks!

Whys · 01/20/2009, 08:29 PM

And thus my assumption that you were a model. But that's okay. In my minds eye, you still look hot. :]

Peace.

loosecannon · 01/20/2009, 08:32 PM

Whys keep it in your pants!

Whys · 01/20/2009, 09:10 PM

Loosecannon, I'm very happily married. I was merely being friendly, and as you can see, my confusion was understandable.

If you know of any women out there that prefer not to be thought as hot, then I'll apologize to them for it.

BTW, in my mind's eye, loosecannon is quite the body builder. If you prefer to be thought of differently, then do tell.

january_girl · 01/20/2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whys
And thus my assumption that you were a model. But that's okay. In my minds eye, you still look hot. :]

Peace.

I like your mind's eye.

01/20/2009, 10:39 AM	#1
january_girl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 13	LFS Fish Tales? Question About Adding Fish To New Tank.. While buying LR at my LFS last night, one of the employees told me I could add Damsels to a tank that's only been up and running for 2 or 3 days.. She stated that the "sacrifish" will help the tank to cycle. Is this true?

01/20/2009, 10:51 AM	#2
Rustylugnuts Powdered Toast Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 813	It is true that the sacrifish works but it's no better than using a frozen or fresh shrimp to kick start the cycle. __________________ And now back to my regularly scheduled lurking. Drill It! Current Tank Info: Buncha parts and tanks of various size. Nothing currently running :(

01/20/2009, 12:07 PM	#4
michellejy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: OH Posts: 1,076	It may survive, but it will be living in horrible conditions. The die off and resulting ammonia spike from live rock alone is enough for your cycle. Plus if it lives and you don't want a damsel in your tank long term, it's VERY difficult to get back out. __________________ Michelle Current Tank Info: 30G FOWLR Clownfish tank soon to be replaced by JBJ 28 Gallon Nano

01/20/2009, 12:10 PM	#5
mm949 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 1,843	save the fish...just add live rock...it will cycle the tank naturally __________________ 219"x30"x48" - 1350gl reef Current Tank Info: ...18ft of double sided goodness

01/20/2009, 12:13 PM	#6
svynx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mt. Wolf, PA Posts: 974	+1 on getting them out. One of the biggest mistakes I've made was to put damsels in my tank. It took me about 2 hours to get all the rock out safely in order to take 5 fish out. Not worth the trouble. IMO don't get them. They are very territorial, and if you get shy fish, more than likely you won't see them. The die off from the LR should be enough to start your cycle, but you can toss in a raw shrimp or the like to get it going. Welcome to saltwater. __________________ "What?!? Haven't you ever seen someone work on an engine with an axe before?" Mythbusters Current Tank Info: Biocube 29, Aurora puck LED

01/20/2009, 10:59 AM	#3
january_girl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 13	So, does this mean the Damsel will more than likely die?

01/20/2009, 04:34 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Inhumane and unnecessary. Use a pinch of fishfood daily (just as you would for a damsel) and the tank will cycle. Stop the fishfood a day after you see ammonia spike, and when you're ammonia-free, you're cycled. It's not the fish that cycles the tanks, you may tell them from me, it's feeding it. It's only if the fish DIES that it cycles the tank, and that's completely unnnecessary. If that is a sample of their expertise, do not believe them about substrate, skimmers, filters (unneeded) and medications, among others, and I would not trust them on a proper tank, either. That advice is from the 1980's and prior. At the top of this forum you will find several threads marked with the symbol *. Read those thoroughly before you buy anything. __________________ 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%.

01/20/2009, 05:57 PM	#8
mickela Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY Posts: 416	Most of us here have listened to our lfs before we found this site and payed dearley for it so any questions just ask here and we will gladley help you out and save you a ton of money on mistakes.The lfs is just looking to make a sale __________________ Smile it always makes your better half wonder what you've bought now

01/20/2009, 06:34 PM	#10
noboddi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 813	inhumane way to treat a fish. You can make ammonia by putting a piece of raw shrimp in. You have to be very careful with LFS's __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham Current Tank Info: 55 gallon (36x18x20), 40 gallon sump, 25 gallon refugium, TEK 6x39w fixture, Osmolator, Kalk Reactor, Vortech MP20, 2 Koralia 3s on controller, Acropora, Anthelia, Montipora, Starry Blenny, Yellow Watchman, Rainford Goby, Tiger Gobies

01/20/2009, 06:51 PM	#11
january_girl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 13	Thanks a lot to everyone that has replied. You have been very helpful and I appreciate your time.. and so do the Damsels from my LFS. Had I listened to the LFS without asking first, I'd have one or two in my tank right now.

01/20/2009, 07:02 PM	#12
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	So january_girl, off topic I know, but what calendar? :]

01/20/2009, 08:09 PM	#14
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	The live rock is all you need. J girl let the damsels live! __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

01/20/2009, 08:11 PM	#15
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Sorry, I took your "I work with tools" differently. Figured it was an occupational hazard. *Happy Birthday!*

01/20/2009, 08:29 PM	#18
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	And thus my assumption that you were a model. But that's okay. In my minds eye, you still look hot. :] Peace.

01/20/2009, 08:32 PM	#19
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	Whys keep it in your pants! __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

01/20/2009, 09:10 PM	#20
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Loosecannon, I'm very happily married. I was merely being friendly, and as you can see, my confusion was understandable. If you know of any women out there that prefer not to be thought as hot, then I'll apologize to them for it. BTW, in my mind's eye, loosecannon is quite the body builder. If you prefer to be thought of differently, then do tell.