Started a tank roughly a month ago, it is a 90G reef. It has finished the cycle and has very very few diatoms left that the snails have been feasting on. I have 7 turbo snails that have been in the tank for about a week and a half. I plan on getting quiet a few more once they are needed. but i was wondering if it is safe to move my 2 tomato clowns into the tank and out of my 20 gallon. Thanks!
When to add fish?
- Thread starter waddwadd
- Start date
ajherrera2
New member
If you have seen the nitrification process go through its cycle then I'd say it's pretty safe to add the clowns. Just remember that nothing good happens fast in this hobby and should probably wait a couple weeks after placing clowns in to allow the bacteria to build up and be able to handle the new bioload in the tank.
nothingfishy
New member
If I may, after having cycled a dozen tanks in past 6 months, the ghost feeding won't prove anything.
It will take at least a day to convert to ammonia. (Which is why you can ttm and not have to worry about ammonia and feeding)
Instead use pure ace hardware ammonia, instant reading of ammonia, and you can see how long it takes to process he ammonia thru the nitrogen cycle.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Most people have food readily available at home and not pure ammonia. You mentioned a better way but what I said will give the same results. No ammonia shows up and the cycle is good.
nothingfishy
New member
Hmm how is that. Just curious. If
I throw raw food into a tank, it will not break down into ammonia until at least a day later. More like 2-3 days. I can set up a ten gallon tank right now, place in a raw shrimp, and not have ammonia until a few days from now.
Now if he took food and waited a few days for ammonia, that's different.
I throw raw food into a tank, it will not break down into ammonia until at least a day later. More like 2-3 days. I can set up a ten gallon tank right now, place in a raw shrimp, and not have ammonia until a few days from now.
Now if he took food and waited a few days for ammonia, that's different.
Also, I added a green duncan coral from my 20 gallon tank as I am taking it down, which is the reason for moving the clown fish. I moved it yesterday and today it is open more than I have seen it in a while. I have a big group of duncans so I though I would take the risk and try it in the new tank, and seems to be doing better than I expected. Also all the snails are still alive and thriving after about 2 weeks. If these are all doing okay and the parameters are what they are, should it be okay to move the clowns? Thanks!
Fin Mike
New member
Do you have a skimmer? Aren't skimmers for pulling the crud out before it is converted to ammonia. In a 90, you should be fine. Just check for ammonia for a couple days after you add them. 90 gallons is a lot of water for two clowns to pollute. If things go bad, your duncans will let you know.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
If you add them correctly. You add a tang, angel or damsel first you will have nothing but problems
I plan on making a list of what I want in the tank and putting the fish in that have least aggression first and most last. My dream fish has always been a purple tang, so as a last fish I plan on getting a small purple tang. Not sure on other fish for the tank yet but do have a few others in mind, and I'm also open to suggestions. 
Once your aquarium has cycled, you can add fish any time. If you are going for Clowns, I'd suggest adding them at once.
