New Reef Tank... I need some advice.

[Bryancls]

Hello? This is my first time to try this hobby. I'm currently cycling my tank using the RedSea reefer Mature pro kit and on the 8th day now and it says that I should be adding the clean up crew by tomorrow. As a beginner there are a lot of questions that I am asking my self about this hobby and I would hope that some of you here can help me with it....

About my skimmer:
I'am using an Octopus Reefer 110 sss, for the first 3days as I started it, it was really giving me a good skim, a lot of gunks are being trasnported to the collection cup, I left the dial open that time and it is submerged more than the recommended depth of 5inches but as I tried adjusting the dial it is not getting me a good skim as the bubble barely reach the top of the collection cup.
Is it beacuase there is not that much for the skimmer to clean up or I need to set it up more? How do I really set up the skimmer?

About the Clean up crew:
Do I really need to add a clean up crew if there are no algae present in my tank? Will the clean up crew just starve in my tank?

Lighting:
I am planning to get the Radion XR15W G4 PRO, anyone has a personal experience with this light yet? Pros and cons personal opinions?

Return pump:
The redsea reefer recommend a 2000LPH (530GPH) but the pump I am using right now has a max of 370 GPH only, will this give me a problem later on? Will it hold awhile until I can get a better pump?

Hoping to hear some insights from you guys. Thanks a lot!

 

[JUNBUG361]

Hello & welcome. Test your water parameters, if you don't have test kit buy a set prior to adding clean up crew. Be patient. What are you planning on putting in your tank(lps, sps, softies)? I think the 370 will be okay, just add another power head in your system

 

[Fiver]

I wouldn't put in any clean up crew critters for a few months, maybe. And I'd start with just a very small number.

 

[Frogmanx82]

I agree, a clean up crew with nothing to clean won't have anything to eat. If your establishing bacteria for the nitrogen cycle is complete I would say you are good to go for adding livestock. If you went with a CUC you would have to feed them. You need to be feeding the tank to keep the nitrogen cycle going.

 

[Bryancls]

Hello & welcome. Test your water parameters, if you don't have test kit buy a set prior to adding clean up crew. Be patient. What are you planning on putting in your tank(lps, sps, softies)? I think the 370 will be okay, just add another power head in your system

Thanks for the reply. I do have a test kit. I went to my LFS to get my water tested too just to make sure my test kits are also working right :lmao: and it all came out good. They also told me not to add clean up crew since I will only starve it knowing that I dont have anything to clean anyways rather add a fish to help me on my cycle. "ADD A FISH" WOW! I'm thrilled!!!

Will plan to get an Ocellaris Clown fish tomorrow since I dont have time to do some acclimation today.

Thanks again

 

[Bryancls]

I wouldn't put in any clean up crew critters for a few months, maybe. And I'd start with just a very small number.

Yup, I would just add some hermit and snails in a few weeks. Thanks!

 

[Bryancls]

I agree, a clean up crew with nothing to clean won't have anything to eat. If your establishing bacteria for the nitrogen cycle is complete I would say you are good to go for adding livestock. If you went with a CUC you would have to feed them. You need to be feeding the tank to keep the nitrogen cycle going.

Thanks, I would be adding a fish tomorrow to help me for the cycle.

 

[sde1500]

New Reef Tank... I need some advice.

Thanks, I would be adding a fish tomorrow to help me for the cycle.

Ammonia is harmful to fish. Don't use fish to cycle the tank. Don't add fish until there is no ammonia or nitrite in the tank. If you want to aid the cycle, add some food to get ammonia going.

 

[Bryancls]

Ammonia is harmful to fish. Don't use fish to cycle the tank. Don't add fish until there is no ammonia or nitrite in the tank. If you want to aid the cycle, add some food to get ammonia going.

I understand. My test kit says 0 ammonia, my LFS checks it also to confirm.

Twiced I added ammonia on my cycle and looks like my bacterias are doing a great job. (Fingers crossed)