FIRST FISH QUESTIONS

zhonk

zhonk

Crazy Ted
Nov 5, 2006
312
0
0
34
Northwest US
I just added the live rock in my new tank. I have good water quality proper salinity nad temperture. The aquarium is about 52 gallons. There is 30 pounds of live rock and 30 pounds of base rock. The petshop guy said I should wait 48 hours and then to add a fish.

First I would like to know if this is sound advice or should if I should go through the cycle.
Secondly if this is sound advice, I would like to know if I should add a smaller fish as a "canary in the coal mine" before I add the final and main adition, a dwarf loinfish. If this is a good idea what fish is cheap hardy small but not to small to be eaten by a lionfish.

Thanks ZHONK
 
go through the cycle (possibly a few weeks), then add fish, only one fish that can barely make it through a cycle which is a damsel but they are highly territorial so dont use these.
 
Zhonk, most all information I have seen strongly recommends going through the full cycle. Although I have heard of some people using a hardy fish to cycle with, this is not beneficial to their health. Granted, this is coming from a guy who still has a few days to go before he can even set up his tank.

I am 100% positive that one of the awesome guys with loads of experience will come and give you a more concrete answer though.

edit: hehe, someone with more experience than me already posted while I was typing :)
 
Go to the cycling methods up top this page under the stickys and read method one ... That's what I did and It took about 2 weeks to cycle. I now have about 30 hermits and 20 snails and 6 emerald crabs ... it's been over a month and I still havn't added any fish. Keep reading and once you get all sorts of info you'll be happy you waited.
 
just use uncured live rock, no need for raw prawn/shrimp
 
zhonk said:
So you keep the shrimp in until the amonia goes down again?
Click to expand...

Yes...then the nitrite will go down to 0 and then you should be finished. Perform a large water change after this and you should be good to go.

I've tried the shrimp method with 2 separate tanks and I have to tell you...it stinks REALLY bad. I'd suggest you put them in one of those women's knee-highs, and then tie that in a knot. It will still cycle and you won't have as much decaying shrimp matter floating all over your tank.

Hehe, have fun! :D
 
5xevy said:
Yes...then the nitrite will go down to 0 and then you should be finished. Perform a large water change after this and you should be good to go.

I've tried the shrimp method with 2 separate tanks and I have to tell you...it stinks REALLY bad. I'd suggest you put them in one of those women's knee-highs, and then tie that in a knot. It will still cycle and you won't have as much decaying shrimp matter floating all over your tank.

Hehe, have fun! :D
Click to expand...
yea, very good tip there 5xevy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom