Can I add a crew now?

[Red Cahill]

My new 22g has been running with 25 lbs. LR and 20 lbs. sand for a week now. Parameters are pH 8.15, Alk 4.0, Ammonia .05(down from .08 in 2 days), Trite .05, Trate 4, sg 1.023. Now I have rusty-gold colors growing on my rock. A little hermit crab's been in since day 1 and seems fine. I'm anxious to get some snails/h. crabs and such to start the cleaning. Should I wait another week or get these guys on their way? What about a partial water change...wait some more? The water kinda stinks now.

 

[jgoodrich71]

IMO, it would be best to wait until the ammonia is down to zero. When you add more livestock, you can get an ammonia spike. Just be patient.

 

[howser]

I would do a partial water change, that usually helps cycle the tank quicker. I haven't had much luck with snails as the first ones to join the crew, hermit crabs tend to do better for me. I'd wait until after thanksgiving is over, then start to add them.

 

[WaterKeeper]

I usually find that once you have diatoms growing on the rock and sand it is OK to try a couple of snails. Trace ammonia levels don't seem to bother them as they are scavengers and are often exposed to ammonia from decaying detritus. If they are fine after a week or so then you can add more.

BTW

Hi Red

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[650-IS350]

Yeah, I did the same too.. when I was not using RO/DI yet and only DI'ed TAP..

ammonia was at 1-2, some evidence of nitrates and nitrites but the snails and crabs survived... during long 4 week cycle...

 

[Red Cahill]

Thanks. I agree to wait until next week. I can mess with my rock formation some more while there's still nobody home.