What comes first? WC or Livestock?

[Jim Cannon]

Okay, I am ready to add Livestock to my 12G Nanocube. I do a 10% WC weekly. I you were me would you add the livestock and then do the WC? Or would you WC first and then add the livestock?

I lean to livestock first then the WC because I figure adding the livestock will have an affect on the water chemistry.

I plan on adding a small Xenia, Bubble Anenome, and one Perc clown.

When you buy Xenia, is it usually already attached to a rock?

Please give reasons for your opinion.

Thank you all very much.

Jim

 

[mister crabs]

so...you have no livestock currently in the tank? then why do water changes so far? usually no WC are necessary during the cycle. check ur water parameters and if everything is ok then wait until after you add livestock before doing the WC. Add either the xenia or fish first and wait a few weeks before adding the other. Corals can be added without waiting between but adding a fish changes the water chemistry signifigantly and creates a mini cycle because of the added bio load. corals dont change the bio load much so either do your fish first or your corals first. and as for the xenia, most i have seen come on a small piece of LR. just my .02

 

[Jim Cannon]

I did the water changes because that's what I 'heard' in all the forum advice. 10% WC every week or two. No one ever said anything about NOT doing during cycling. Well, if they did I didn't hear it. *g*

It does make sense though now that you bring it up. Thanks!

Ok, fish is what makes the chemistry change. See I didn't know that. I thought everything did. So if I add the Xenia, one bubble anenome and one clown would be pushing it, but it should be okay. At least that's what I am understanding from your post. The corals are nada to water chemistry, only the fish.

How long after I introduce the fish should I wait for the WC?
Now that I have my own marine water test kit I can test it daily for any dangerous spikes.

P.S. I cycled with 12lbs of live rock.

Thanks for the comeback!

Jim

 

[kass03]

Corals do add to the load somewhat but not like a fish because when you add a fish you have to feed it and it has more waste.

I would add the fish first and then wait to see how it goes.
Or add a cheap coral to see. Although xenia can grow like a weed it is very sensative and can melt easily if the tank would have a mini cycle.
Anemones are also very touchy and that would be the last thing I would add.

kass

 

[Agu]

Depends on your water parameters. If the parameters are good there's no need to do a WC prior to introducing livestock. If they're off you want to get them in line before adding anything to the tank.


BTW, I do waterchanges when cycling a tank. No need to have a big spike in ammonia to kill off the life you paid for on the LR.

Corals first or fish first, it's a matter of preference. I prefer corals first because the tank usually needs some reaquascaping to correctly and securely place the corals.

 

[Henry22]

I wouldnt add the anenome for at least 6 monthes. Anenomes need an established tank, and the majority of people here will agree with that. Also, I dont know the lighting requirements of a bubble tip, but does the 12dx provide enough light?

 

[Jim Cannon]

I love this Forum! What a great place to get good info from people who know. Thank you all for your input.

I bought this tank secondhand. The previous owner moved up to a 24G JBL Nano. He moved all the stuff from my 12 to his 24. He had what I want. So I assume that the lighting is sufficient to support the anenome, and the Xenia. Actually, I just replaced the two bulbs that were in the Cube a few weeks ago. I really don't know how old the tank is. How long has the DL been on the market? But I wanted to start with proper lighting.