Help on cycling

[Frizza]

I have just setup a new tank (55gal) and it has been running for just over a week, filter is on and skimmer is running. All I have in the tank is some coral sand and a fairly large piece of ocean rock. I will be adding some live rock at the weekend and I wanted to know roughly how long I should leave it for before adding the first inhabitant?

I am slightly confused about what I should put in, some people recommend putting a couple of shrimp in and I've also heard that they are not very hardy! Should I get something else instead of the shrimp to help the cycle, e.g. some crabs or possibly a couple of damsel's?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

[m_lacom99]

Ok the shrimp you add to your tank are big "dead" cocktail shrimp. Not live shrimp.

When the dead shrimp start decaying thats when the bacteria kicks in to help cycle your tank.

Marc.

[rickzter]

If you put in a live shrimp (fire, skunk, coral banded), it will die before it hits the sand. Toss in some damsels, chromis to help. If you dont want to go that route, get a crap load of LR and let it be. You can also add additives like NitroMax to help expedite the cycling time. I personally did not add any fish to my tank, then I'll have a heck of a time catching those bastards.

Dont add anything expensive until the ammonia/nitrite reaches 0. The best thing is to get an ammonia, nitrite test and monitor until it's 0.

Good luck!

[Frizza]

So if I put in a small bag of cocktail shrimp once I put in my live rock, then I sit tight until everything stabilises.

Once everything is good what would you recommend putting in the tank to start with, do I need a 'clean up crew'?

[blue_eyes53813]

Hey Frizza, The cocktail shrimp is easier to remove from the tank at a later date if you put them in a nylon or something. I left mine in there for a good few weeks. After about 3 weeks from the start of the tank I added a few damsels. But mind you they can get aggreesive and hard to catch if you ever want to get them out. When the cycle is all done ( probably around 6 weeks) . Once you are sure the cycle is done and ammonia, nittites and nitrates are 0 do a 10% water change and add a clean up crew. If everything fares well and no nitrates or ammonia after a week or two from adding the clean up crew , you can try a fish( one at a time, dont go crazy here) dont buy expensive things cause it still has a good chance of not living. You need to build up you good beneficial bacteria in the tank which will take at least 6 months. SLow is the key and get hardy fish. Good luck

[Frizza]

Thanks for your advice, what would you recommend for a clean up crew?

[sssnake]

For a 120 gallon tank (with 60 lb of LR and 1.5 inches of CC) how many shrimp are needed and how big do these shrimp have to be?

[Jason McKenzie]

Originally Posted by sssnake

For a 120 gallon tank (with 60 lb of LR and 1.5 inches of CC) how many shrimp are needed and how big do these shrimp have to be?

I would only put in 1 or 2. no need to go crazy

J

[rickzter]

I would stay away from a clean up crew. Since the tank is soo young, the food for cleaners will run out rather quickly and they will die slowly. Dont get any cleaners until 2 months+. Because the tank is soo young, there isn't sufficient amount of food. The new LR you introduce will have food for them to grub on, but after they clean it, that's it. I would just add maybe 1 turbo and 1 hermit so their wont be any competition.

Now, if you are planning to spot feed your hermits, then get more.

[Frizza]

I will be getting my LR tomorrow, once the cycle is complete then I will add a couple of damsels and 1 turbo and 1 hermit. Does this sound right? I want to make sure I do things properly rather than rushing!!