All setup and have a question can't decide.

[johnny85]

Hello all from Michigan!! My wife and I just got our 46g setup running. We have 55lb of cured live rock and 40lb of live substrate. We have had it setup now for 4 days. I am using a marine orbit 36" led light bar, Aqua clear 110 with in tank media basket with floss and chemi pure blue. That third chamber is empty so what would you recommend putting in there or should I leave empty for now? I also have an hydor power head in there for flow. I bought my setup from my LFS who have a wonderful reputation in SE Michigan. The Fish Doctors. I have read so many different things on how to cycle a tank and this is where I have a question. I was told by them that I can add a couple damsels or clownfish right now if I wanted to. They said since the live rock is cured that I will be fine. What do you recommend we do?

Forgot to mention I got a few small starfish and a snail as hitch hikers. The rock is beautiful with coralline on it as well. Also water is from my Ro/Di unit

 

[Seahorse NJRC]

Personally, I would ghost feed the tank. I would feed the tank like I would if there were fish. Then, I would test the parameters. If the parameters are good after two weeks, I would consider adding fish.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[eznet2u]

I was told by them that I can add a couple damsels or clownfish right now if I wanted to. They said since the live rock is cured that I will be fine. What do you recommend we do?

1. Take the Chemi-pure out of the tank.
2. Patience will pay off in the long run.
3. NO FISH/INVERTS until tank has cycled. Check every day until the readings stabilize for at least a week.
4. Patience.
5. Skip the Damsels. (Mean little suckers. They will make tank maintenance a pain. Literally.)
6. Patience.
7. Patience.
8. Patience.

If you took the LR out of the water for more than a few minutes...It will cycle.

Did I mention you need patience?

 

[Reef Frog]

Congratulations on your new tank. I'd draw up your fish plan carefully after plenty of research. Don't just by any old fish unless it's part of the plan or its w "starter fish". Damsels can get very territorial and can limit your later choices. In general peaceful dish should go in first, those with w fiesty reputation go in last. Good luck & have fun.

 

[johnny85]

Thank you both for the input! Looks like we are waiting. I will test the ammonia everyday and for now should I set the light on a normal timer so it's on 8-9 hours a day?

I also forgot to mention that I have had a small saltwater fish tank in the past but didn't really do any research and it pretty much ended in disaster. A damsel was the first fish I went with and yes I was told I could put one in but I will never ever own another damsel again as they are mean suckers. When it is time I will be ordering a cleanup crew from reef cleaners. But clearly I know it's not time yet

 

[johnny85]

1. Take the Chemi-pure out of the tank.
2. Patience will pay off in the long run.
3. NO FISH/INVERTS until tank has cycled. Check every day until the readings stabilize for at least a week.
4. Patience.
5. Skip the Damsels. (Mean little suckers. They will make tank maintenance a pain. Literally.)
6. Patience.
7. Patience.
8. Patience.

If you took the LR out of the water for more than a few minutes...It will cycle.

Did I mention you need patience?

Just curious why would you say number one take it out?

 

[Seahorse NJRC]

There is no reason that you be running it. The water is clean. Once you have livestock, that is when you should put it back. It won't hurt anything but it won't be beneficial.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[johnny85]

There is no reason that you be running it. The water is clean. Once you have livestock, that is when you should put it back. It won't hurt anything but it won't be beneficial.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perfect thank you. Anything else I should put in there?

 

[johnny85]

Well last question how long should I leave the lights on everyday?

 

[Diana A]

The bacteria that has made your live-rock alive doesn't need light while your tank is cycling.

 

[madweazl]

1. Take the Chemi-pure out of the tank.
2. Patience will pay off in the long run.
3. NO FISH/INVERTS until tank has cycled. Check every day until the readings stabilize for at least a week.
4. Patience.
5. Skip the Damsels. (Mean little suckers. They will make tank maintenance a pain. Literally.)
6. Patience.
7. Patience.
8. Patience.

If you took the LR out of the water for more than a few minutes...It will cycle.

Did I mention you need patience?

A few minutes? What are you basing this comment off of? I don't agree with this statement remotely based on my past experience but perhaps the conditions were vastly different.

I do agree with taking it slow and I would avoid the damsel as well. Clowns are generally extremely hardy but if the tank does go through a cycle, it is cruel to the clown. If the live-rock is in the condition the LFS states, I highly doubt you will see a cycle; I have done this a number of times over the past 20 years and that has been my results for what it's worth.

 

[Sk8r]

Damsels except clowns need about 100 gallons. And no, cycling with fish in the tank is cruel to the fish and sometimes kills them. I would forever after NOT take this fish store's advice. SHop there, just don't take their advice.