When to add fish w/ cured LR?

ScottT1980 · 01-19-2005, 02:38 PM

I feel like a newbie for asking this, but I more or less would like some advise...

The tank is up and has been up and full of about 60# of cured LR for approx. 1 week. The cyano and algae are starting to appear and never once did I get a significant NH4 spike. So, I am assuming I short cycled thanks to my locally found, cured rock. Needless to say, I am excited and ready to add a fish, but am certainly a bit hesitant because I worry that my DSB is not ready (sorry BB folks...).

Should I just wait it out for a couple of weeks, add a cleanup crew, and go from there. Or, do you think it is ok to go ahead and add a fish along with my cleanup crew (probably a fairy wrasse).

I think I know the answer, but thought I would check...

Take er easy
Scott T.

mps9506 · 01-19-2005, 02:42 PM

DSB??? j/k scott. You obviously did a good job with your last one and know what you are doing.
Just make sure your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are in check. Add whatever cleanup crew you choose to have. They should keep the diatom and algae blooms in check while your tank is stabalizing. Wait about two weeks afterwards and add your fish.
I actually prefer to add corals first, but fish can work too

Woodstock · 01-19-2005, 03:42 PM

Awesome Scott!!!! Welcome back~~

I prefer a strong cycle over a small one. With a strong cycle, you are sure to get the needed bacteria in place before adding livestock. I guess I am from the old school.

gussy · 01-19-2005, 04:13 PM

I was under the impression that if you have all LR and LS all the needed bacteria are already there...therefore there is no need to cycle. If I'm mistaken I guess additional dosing of Bio-Spira for saltwater should help. I've used the freshwater version of Bio-Spira on freshwater tank and it shortens the cycle considerably. My experiment was on a 12G tank. Without Bio-Spira or any "old" material from another existing tank, the cycle took about 4 weeks with fish. If I add Bio-Spira to an tank with new decoration and substrate, it only too about a week.

AJinNY · 01-19-2005, 04:22 PM

Mike why do you prefer to add corals before fish?

Reefaholic · 01-19-2005, 05:24 PM

I have always heard Wrasses will eat up part of your cleanup crew like snails and shrimp for example. Anyone else heard or exp. this. Please correct me if I am wrong though.

ScottT1980 · 01-19-2005, 05:57 PM

Reef safe/fairy wrasses shouldn't (although there is always an exception to the rule)...

There are also wrasses that are not reefsafe (i.e. a giant 8-line wrasse that I put in my tank, decided to take out every shrimp in the tank...a big newbie mistake)

01-19-2005, 02:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	When to add fish w/ cured LR? I feel like a newbie for asking this, but I more or less would like some advise... The tank is up and has been up and full of about 60# of cured LR for approx. 1 week. The cyano and algae are starting to appear and never once did I get a significant NH4 spike. So, I am assuming I short cycled thanks to my locally found, cured rock. Needless to say, I am excited and ready to add a fish, but am certainly a bit hesitant because I worry that my DSB is not ready (sorry BB folks...). Should I just wait it out for a couple of weeks, add a cleanup crew, and go from there. Or, do you think it is ok to go ahead and add a fish along with my cleanup crew (probably a fairy wrasse). I think I know the answer, but thought I would check... Take er easy Scott T. __________________ My Tank

01-19-2005, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC Posts: 6,862 View Gallery Karma Komment	DSB??? j/k scott. You obviously did a good job with your last one and know what you are doing. Just make sure your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are in check. Add whatever cleanup crew you choose to have. They should keep the diatom and algae blooms in check while your tank is stabalizing. Wait about two weeks afterwards and add your fish. I actually prefer to add corals first, but fish can work too __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

01-19-2005, 03:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 21,657 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Awesome Scott!!!! Welcome back~~ I prefer a strong cycle over a small one. With a strong cycle, you are sure to get the needed bacteria in place before adding livestock. I guess I am from the old school. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~29 gal QT/Hospital tank~* *~3 gal Pico~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MH, dual Actinic t5s,AquaController III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

01-19-2005, 05:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	Reef safe/fairy wrasses shouldn't (although there is always an exception to the rule)... There are also wrasses that are not reefsafe (i.e. a giant 8-line wrasse that I put in my tank, decided to take out every shrimp in the tank...a big newbie mistake) __________________ My Tank

01-19-2005, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
gussy Torch coral Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 579 View Gallery Karma Komment	I was under the impression that if you have all LR and LS all the needed bacteria are already there...therefore there is no need to cycle. If I'm mistaken I guess additional dosing of Bio-Spira for saltwater should help. I've used the freshwater version of Bio-Spira on freshwater tank and it shortens the cycle considerably. My experiment was on a 12G tank. Without Bio-Spira or any "old" material from another existing tank, the cycle took about 4 weeks with fish. If I add Bio-Spira to an tank with new decoration and substrate, it only too about a week.

01-19-2005, 04:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
AJinNY Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 711 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mike why do you prefer to add corals before fish?

01-19-2005, 05:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Reefaholic Midas Blenny Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 98 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have always heard Wrasses will eat up part of your cleanup crew like snails and shrimp for example. Anyone else heard or exp. this. Please correct me if I am wrong though.

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