Million Dollar Question - When can I add fish?

[goldfishbowl]

Hi everyone,

I have the following setup which has been running for 3 weeks now:

60 Gallon Tank
T5 lighting
40kg cured live rock
20kg substrate (not live sand)
MCE 600 Skimmer
Ehiem Wet & Dry Pro Thermo Pump
UV Filter
Fluidized Rowfoss Filter (with 500g of rowfoss)

Internal pump and sponge set that came as part of the tank, in use, but not sure whether to keep using?

The rock has been in a 2 weeks, the tank up for 3-4 weeks. Last week I added some hermits and some snails. Alge has sprung up over the last week or so, critters are keeping tabs on it, although some alge that looks feather like is causing a bit of a problem. Various things have sprouted from the rock Majano Anemomies and Aptasia (all zapped with Joes Juice). Pale white milipede looking things that crawl out of the rock. A baby starfish (tiny has a leg missing), various other weird and wonderful things come out at night also. Have some polyps that are doing well also.

I have a spare 10 gallon tank that houses water that is sent through a 3 stage filter, salt added, heated and airated with a powerhead. I am changing about 2-3 gallons every week, I feel I may need to speed this up!

Everything seems to be working, blooms of alge are being kept down. Levels are ok but will post what they are when I check them again tomorrow.

Will be adding more cleaning crew next week - more hermits and more snails. Some cleaner shrimp also this time.

That is my current setup - when will I know it has cycled?
When do you think I can add some clowns and tangs (only two of each)?
Is there anything anyone would recommend that I do?

Look forward to your great help.

Stu

 

[bertoni]

I would wait for three weeks of solid ammonia, and then consider adding fish. That tank is too small for even one tang, IMO. Some water changes along the way should help.

 

[jdm01]

The general rule of thumb I have used is when the algae is finally coming under control. My experience has been that it takes around 3 weeks or so for my tanks to cycle. I use live sand and greater than 50% live rock, so that helps speed up the cycle. Once you nitrate, nitrite, ph, alk, and ammonia are stable for a week or so you can probably start SLOWLY adding fish. I usually add no more than a couple per week. I would also make sure that none of the clean up crews dies in the tank before adding the fish. You can add the clowns (I think this is one you mentioned). I have been advised to wait on the tangs for a little bit. They can disrupt a new tank until there is enough of a food source for them in the tank.

 

[jdm01]

I guess I forgot to mention that I usually change around 10% per week.

 

[bertoni]

Just for the first 3 weeks or so, I'd up the water change rate to 20-25%, since live rock can throw off a lot of toxins, etc, while curing. Otherwise, 10% per week is very good, IMO.

 

[poppin_fresh]

You should be testing the water regularly. The fact that the inverts are still alive is a good thing. Your water should test zero for ammonia and nitrites and be near zero for nitrates. Then you can saftely add a couple small fish. You dont want to overload it too fast and spike the above mentioned pollutants.

 

[szwab]

need to start testing your water parameters. Are you going to have a FOWLR tank or a reef? remember that patience is the key I wouldn't add any more critters until you see where you are in the cycle by testing.
IMO there is not enough room for 2 tang 1 tang in a 60 gallon will be tight as they like space.

 

[goldfishbowl]

Hi All,

Thanks for all your comments.

So by the sounds of it the tank is nearing its cycled stage. What fish would you recommend for a tank this size (240 litres / 60+ Gallons)?

Any ideas?

Thanks again

Stu

 

[robplonker]

hi goldfishbowl, im a newbie too, ive found that there will be a lot of opinions with what fish to get and how many to stock.

I went around and found a lfs that i felt comfortable with, wrote down my "wish list" and talked it through with them. they were able to tell me which fish were compatable and which ones i should put in first and which to leave till last.

hope that helps

 

[Swanwillow]

the longer you wait the more life you may see on the rocks.

that said, I wait until the nitrites go down to 0

 

[bertoni]

Scott Michael's books are a good investment, IMO. Here's a link to one of them:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890087386/reeflink/002-5193324-1777605

Some LFSs are probably fine, lots seem to give pretty poor advice.