Set up Questions

[satellite4881]

OK. I have put in the sandbed (I mix of caribsea reef sand and LS) and filled the 75 g tank with water and IO salt. I have added 2 koralia 3s and a mj1200 for flow. I am adding my LR (fully cured in h2o) tonight. I figure the cycle will be small (a few weeks or less hopefully) How long should i wait to add cleaning crew?? How big of a crew?

 

[hmello@bermexin]

When you add the rock start testing for ammonia and nitrites. When they spike and then go down to zero do a water change to reduce the nitrates that are left. then and only then is it really safe to add the CUC.

 

[satellite4881]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9825702#post9825702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hmello@bermexin
When you add the rock start testing for ammonia and nitrites. When they spike and then go down to zero do a water change to reduce the nitrates that are left. then and only then is it really safe to add the CUC.

OK.SHould I add something (like a cocktail shrimp or any chemical) to speed up thhe process?? When it is time to add crew how big??

 

[ttomkat1]

Best thing to do is hurry up and wait... it's tough but well worth it.

---ttomkat1

 

[taillonjohn]

yeah, some people like to add a shrimp to speed up the process. I just feed the tank, it takes a little longer I think, but not as gross.

Some people have a formula for the CUC, like, for example, a 30 gallon tank is 40 snails and 25 crabs, and a 50 gallon is like 60 snails, and 40 crabs, etc....

I think its best to just add a few snails and crabs, as you prefer, then keep adding as you determine wether you think your tank is 'clean' enough or not. FYI, I have just 1-2 snails (hitchikers), and 5 hermit crabs, and don't really want more than that. everyones tank is different, and has different requirements

 

[hmello@bermexin]

When you say fully cured, by who? Will it be traveling to your tank for any distance? If you cured it how and do you think there is still some die-off on it?
The reason I am asking is because the LR we usually get has some die-off on it still and it is enough to start he cycle.

 

[satellite4881]

It has been in a tank for 2 years. I will be transporting it in water in a rubbermaid tub for about 15 mins.

 

[hmello@bermexin]

Yea then you might want to thow in a little fish food, nothing too heavy. Then go back to my first post and sit tight. Don't try to hurry it. It will be better going on it's own. You are right you will most probably not have much of a cycle at all but you will have some. Watch for it and only start adding after. Keep us up to date and get some pics up.

 

[drummereef]

Just let the live rock cycle the tank. No need to add any more nutrients into they system. Only diligent testing will tell when the cycle is done. Wait until there is zero ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates before adding the cleanup crew. Good luck!

 

[satellite4881]

Thanks everyone. Pics will be up in a month or so once its cycled and ready to go.

My last question- How big of a cleaning crew???

 

[Wett Hands]

I think the rule of thumb is 1 critter(snail, crab, etc) per gallon of water. Hopefully a more expierenced person will chime in.

 

[Marsha]

Well it depends on the type of snails too. If turbo snails it is one for every 5 gallons of water (per the LFS owner).

 

[badfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9825813#post9825813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by taillonjohn

Some people have a formula for the CUC, like, for example, a 30 gallon tank is 40 snails and 25 crabs, and a 50 gallon is like 60 snails, and 40 crabs, etc....

I think its best to just add a few snails and crabs, as you prefer, then keep adding as you determine wether you think your tank is 'clean' enough or not. FYI, I have just 1-2 snails (hitchikers), and 5 hermit crabs, and don't really want more than that. everyones tank is different, and has different requirements

Add as you go. The clean up crew can starve.