Tank Cycling and Livestock for a 9 Gallon Tank Question

Subie · 02/11/2009, 11:33 PM

I am putting up an Aqua Medic Nano Wave 9 at work and wanted to know people's opinions of the cycling time and possible livestock.

I plan on using 10-12 lbs of cured live rock, 10 lbs of live sand, and natural seawater. How long will the cycling process be or is the tank ready to go immediately as I'm using live sand and cured live rock?

Eventually, I am thinking of putting in 6 very small nassarius snails (~1/4"), 2 olive nerite snails, and 1 small blue legged hermit crab. For fish, would I be able to keep two small firefish? Any clams or hard tube worm?

Thanks in advance for the help and suggestions.

nanojg · 02/12/2009, 07:34 AM

test your amonia, nitrite and nitrate. You should initially get at least a small spike in amonia, then nitrite, then nitrate, when they all go down to zero cycle is done.

harleychic · 02/12/2009, 11:07 AM

firefish are territorial, as well as jumpers. I wouldn't do more than one and only if you have a closed top. How about a small goby, or goby/shrimp pair? I have sexy shrimp in a 3 gal and they are fun to watch.
You would need to have alot of light for a clam. You would probably have to target feed a tubeworm.

02/11/2009, 11:33 PM	#1
Subie Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 217	Tank Cycling and Livestock for a 9 Gallon Tank Question I am putting up an Aqua Medic Nano Wave 9 at work and wanted to know people's opinions of the cycling time and possible livestock. I plan on using 10-12 lbs of cured live rock, 10 lbs of live sand, and natural seawater. How long will the cycling process be or is the tank ready to go immediately as I'm using live sand and cured live rock? Eventually, I am thinking of putting in 6 very small nassarius snails (~1/4"), 2 olive nerite snails, and 1 small blue legged hermit crab. For fish, would I be able to keep two small firefish? Any clams or hard tube worm? Thanks in advance for the help and suggestions.

02/12/2009, 07:34 AM	#2
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	test your amonia, nitrite and nitrate. You should initially get at least a small spike in amonia, then nitrite, then nitrate, when they all go down to zero cycle is done.

02/12/2009, 11:07 AM	#3
harleychic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 371	firefish are territorial, as well as jumpers. I wouldn't do more than one and only if you have a closed top. How about a small goby, or goby/shrimp pair? I have sexy shrimp in a 3 gal and they are fun to watch. You would need to have alot of light for a clam. You would probably have to target feed a tubeworm.