Question about adding livestock to a tank downgrade

nrbelk · 02/02/2011, 01:12 PM

I am downgrading tanks. In the new smaller tank, I filled it up with my established live rock. I waited a few weeks and tested the parameters to make sure that it had cycled if needed.

Once everything checked out I started adding some livestock. Mainly snails and other CuC but then a few zoanthids and LPS.

After two more weeks of running with that small(ish) bioload, I tested again and added 3 of my smallest fish.

There is still more coral and fish I want to add so that I can sell the rest of the livestock and take down my larger tank.

My question is how fast can the bio filtration grow to keep up with the livestock additions? Are there any guidelines? I was planning to just monitor the parameters after a few days and if things look good, add a few more and wait again a few more days. Is this acceptable?

Thanks

nrbelk · 02/02/2011, 01:30 PM

I guess another question I could ask along with this is how long does it take for bio load stress to make itself known? If I have 3 little fish, how long do I need to wait before I know whether the bio filtration system is handling their waste or not.

nrbelk · 02/02/2011, 03:42 PM

no one has any ideas? I probably should have put this in the newbie form. Can an admin move this post to that forum?

Thanks!

02/02/2011, 01:12 PM	#1
nrbelk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Posts: 935	Question about adding livestock to a tank downgrade I am downgrading tanks. In the new smaller tank, I filled it up with my established live rock. I waited a few weeks and tested the parameters to make sure that it had cycled if needed. Once everything checked out I started adding some livestock. Mainly snails and other CuC but then a few zoanthids and LPS. After two more weeks of running with that small(ish) bioload, I tested again and added 3 of my smallest fish. There is still more coral and fish I want to add so that I can sell the rest of the livestock and take down my larger tank. My question is how fast can the bio filtration grow to keep up with the livestock additions? Are there any guidelines? I was planning to just monitor the parameters after a few days and if things look good, add a few more and wait again a few more days. Is this acceptable? Thanks

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02/02/2011, 01:30 PM	#2
nrbelk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Posts: 935	I guess another question I could ask along with this is how long does it take for bio load stress to make itself known? If I have 3 little fish, how long do I need to wait before I know whether the bio filtration system is handling their waste or not.

02/02/2011, 03:42 PM	#3
nrbelk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Posts: 935	no one has any ideas? I probably should have put this in the newbie form. Can an admin move this post to that forum? Thanks!