New Tank cycle?

[jalemboo]

Originally Posted by Snaz

Whatever you get reading wise, wait the full four weeks before adding anything other than a modest cleanup crew.

Thank you Snaz, what is consider Modest clean up crew?

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by jalemboo

Thank you Snaz, what is consider Modest clean up crew?

About a dozen small hermits with extra shells, 1 or 2 turbo snails and a few of the other CUC snails like Astrea, Cerith and Nassarius.

[jalemboo]

Got those today, thanks for advice. With soem crab and snail, do i need to change 10% water weekly, or just wait until the cycle complete before changing water?

[BlueAbyss]

Should have waited for the cycle to be finished completely before adding any livestock, it's hard on them to live in an unstable (and slightly toxic) environment. Don't forget to feed your crabs and snails if there's nothing in the tank for them to eat... they will starve without algae and detritus for them to munch on. Feed lightly though, specially if your cycle isn't finished completely. And +1 on the weekly water change, I think regular water changes are overlooked a lot as a way to keep a tank healthy.

EDIT: Just noticed your test for ammonia at 0, awesome. Keep testing though, adding livestock will throw things off a bit again. Anything that eats produces ammonia, so we'll see if your cycle is indeed done.

[jalemboo]

Originally Posted by BlueAbyss

Should have waited for the cycle to be finished completely before adding any livestock, it's hard on them to live in an unstable (and slightly toxic) environment. Don't forget to feed your crabs and snails if there's nothing in the tank for them to eat... they will starve without algae and detritus for them to munch on. Feed lightly though, specially if your cycle isn't finished completely. And +1 on the weekly water change, I think regular water changes are overlooked a lot as a way to keep a tank healthy.

EDIT: Just noticed your test for ammonia at 0, awesome. Keep testing though, adding livestock will throw things off a bit again. Anything that eats produces ammonia, so we'll see if your cycle is indeed done.

BlueAbyss,

I have alot of algae on my tank already, lots of clear/white small warm running around on my live rocks. the only problem i have is my sand is looking a little dirty, not sure how i can get it clean.

[gbeef]

yeah i would agree 3-4 weeks cycle time depending on if the rock was pre-cured. I would do snails forget hermits till later on. Depending on how bad the hair algae is you may need to get a turbo snail or trocus (which are awsome). If your not an experinced reefer i would wait the full 4 weeks.

[ElGuappo]

IMO i would not go with a turbo. while they are great they crap alot and are very clumbsy when they get larger. for the sand go with some nass.(nassuris.sp) snail and maybe even a sandsifting star. Many will tell you your tank is too small for one and it will starve, i have always had 1 in my RSM and still on my first one. even at times with a second in there. however my rock work is basically on stilts providng lots of room for them to roam.

[jalemboo]

totally agree, still have 2 more weeks to go.