What to add first?

tprize · 09/25/2007, 07:03 PM

So I set my tank up this weekend and I'm not sure what to add first. Rock was cycled for 2 weeks in separate tub with super high flow. Sand was aragamax live sand. So far ph is 8.3 and nitrates and nitrites are fine. So I am not sure if the rock and sand was cycled and it's all fine, or it's just a time bomb ready to recycle. So let me know what you think, also once it is cycle what should I add first
Inverts, Fish, Coral

Also if you guys want to make suggestions for life in the tank it's a 40G breeder with 4x T-5 lighting, and 2XKorlia 2's

Mark75 · 09/25/2007, 08:05 PM

Add clean up crew first , but only add them as needed to control algae. Keep checking ammonia, you should see it go up and then fall. After it stays down for a week add your clean up crew.

nlmotoring · 09/25/2007, 08:26 PM

When I started mine I just put everything in at once with no fish for a few weeks. I put in a clean up crew and after about a month everthing was perfect.

zach0660 · 09/25/2007, 08:33 PM

Did you start this tank from scratch or have you seeded it with water &sand from a previous setup. Idk about adding any inverebraes or corals already being that it is only a couple days old but I may be wrong in your case.

tprize · 09/25/2007, 10:00 PM

The rock was seeded for 2 weeks with Live sand and other Live rock. The sand was "alive" when I bought it. Also the refugium will be up this weekend with Mineral Mud and Live rock. I was thinking of adding cheato from an established tank, but with no biological activity I am scared it will just die. Keep the advice up guys!

victor_c3 · 09/26/2007, 01:46 AM

My LFS wouldn't even sell me fish or clean-up crew until my rock cycled for at least two months. Two months might be overkill and is definately a test of your will power, but things would absolutely be stable by then. I honestly would wait at least another two weeks. You might have low nitrite and nitrate levels because those waste products haven't had time accumulate yet.

Also, based on my own experience and the advice I've seen posted on the large tank section of reefcentral, I'd start using a phosphate removal media right away - even while the tank is cycling. The idea is to remove the phosphates before you even get an algae bloom.

Patience is the hardest part of this hobby, but is the absolute key to success!

09/25/2007, 07:03 PM	#1
tprize Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,077	What to add first? So I set my tank up this weekend and I'm not sure what to add first. Rock was cycled for 2 weeks in separate tub with super high flow. Sand was aragamax live sand. So far ph is 8.3 and nitrates and nitrites are fine. So I am not sure if the rock and sand was cycled and it's all fine, or it's just a time bomb ready to recycle. So let me know what you think, also once it is cycle what should I add first Inverts, Fish, Coral Also if you guys want to make suggestions for life in the tank it's a 40G breeder with 4x T-5 lighting, and 2XKorlia 2's

09/25/2007, 08:26 PM	#3
nlmotoring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Northridge, California Posts: 57	When I started mine I just put everything in at once with no fish for a few weeks. I put in a clean up crew and after about a month everthing was perfect. __________________ Tank: Glass 80g Tall w/ Black stand and Canopy, 2x175w & 36w of Actinic lighting Fish: Damsels, tang, urchant Corals: Zoo's, Mushrooms, Ricordia's, hammers, frogspawn Current Tank Info: Tank: Glass 80g Tall w/ Black stand and Canopy

09/25/2007, 08:05 PM	#2
Mark75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East Tenn. Posts: 740	Add clean up crew first , but only add them as needed to control algae. Keep checking ammonia, you should see it go up and then fall. After it stays down for a week add your clean up crew.

09/25/2007, 08:33 PM	#4
zach0660 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NE Posts: 549	Did you start this tank from scratch or have you seeded it with water &sand from a previous setup. Idk about adding any inverebraes or corals already being that it is only a couple days old but I may be wrong in your case.

09/25/2007, 10:00 PM	#5
tprize Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,077	The rock was seeded for 2 weeks with Live sand and other Live rock. The sand was "alive" when I bought it. Also the refugium will be up this weekend with Mineral Mud and Live rock. I was thinking of adding cheato from an established tank, but with no biological activity I am scared it will just die. Keep the advice up guys!

09/26/2007, 01:46 AM	#6
victor_c3 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York Posts: 513	My LFS wouldn't even sell me fish or clean-up crew until my rock cycled for at least two months. Two months might be overkill and is definately a test of your will power, but things would absolutely be stable by then. I honestly would wait at least another two weeks. You might have low nitrite and nitrate levels because those waste products haven't had time accumulate yet. Also, based on my own experience and the advice I've seen posted on the large tank section of reefcentral, I'd start using a phosphate removal media right away - even while the tank is cycling. The idea is to remove the phosphates before you even get an algae bloom. Patience is the hardest part of this hobby, but is the absolute key to success!