Should I add CUC?

I'm just about 5 weeks into my first tank. It's a 90g with sump, good sized skimmer, approx 100 lbs live rock (85 in dt and 15 in sump).

Water parameters seem stable:
SG 1.026
Amm 0.1
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Ph 8.3
Mag 1200
temp 80

I've had 3 dalmation Molly's since week two of the tank starting that a friend gave me to get things going.

There are lots of pineapple sponges, quite a few feather dusters, and the occasional worm hiding out under the rocks.

My lights just came in and have been running for 5 days, 2x Maxspect razor 120w/16K.

Haven't seen any big signs of a cycle (Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite swings) or a diatom bloom. Since adding the lights there does seem to be some sort of algae? growing on some of the rocks. (It's like a fine, smoky mist flowing on the rocks).

I'd like to add a CUC but am unsure of what affect it will have on things. Reason being that in three weeks I'm going on holidays for a week. The dog sitter will be staying at the house, and keeping an eye on the tank. He has no aquarium experience so I'm hoping to keep it simple for him, i.e. top offs and feed the fish. (hopefully I'll have my ATO setup by then, but probably not.)

Can I add one now or will things go crazy?

Is another month too long to wait?

Thanks

 

I would double check the ammonia against another kit, seems like in 5 weeks time with that much LR you should be almost cycled unless you have uncured LR with a lot of die off.

If you do not think the dog sitter is capable of topping off the tank and monitoring the SG than I would wait.

I let one of my tanks cycle for 3 months once until I added a CUC, I was on vacation as well.

 

Thanks for the help...again!

I'm not worried about the sitter doing feedings and top offs, just worried if theres a chance things will be going wonky while I'm gone.

I'm leaning towards waiting for another month to add the CUC, as long as the tank isn't going to get out of control by then.

Can it wait another month or more without doing a water change? (haven't done one yet)

 

Sure, just keep the top offs going.

I have a silly little rule, I never do anything new to a tank if I know I am going on vacation in the near future.

If you are using RO/DI water you should not have much of an algae bloom.

 

Sounds good, I'm going to wait it out. Using RO water, so far no DI.

 

Agree that your current ammonia reading suggests you're still cycling anyway - though I suspect the reading is false w/your amount of LR.

Not sure why you'd want to do a WC in the first place. Given you are about to leave for a week, I wouldn't add anything at all and just let it continue to 'cycle' till you get back. Then do your tests and see where you are at.

 

My 2 cents why not add a few cuc members, starting small. Like 4 or 5 blue legs and a few snails. It will give your house sitter something to stare at too. When you get back from your trip you can reevaluate and then add more. I'm new to the hobby though so my 2 cents aren't worth much.