SW chemistry question...

[K9Decoy]

My 10gallon SW tank has 10lbs live sand, and 5lbs live rock in it. It has been set up and running for a week now with 3 damsels, and none of them have died or shown any sign of sickness the whole time. My water chemistries are as follows:

pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 5ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.023
Temp - 79* F

That being said, is it now OK to take the damsels out, and add a Clownfish even though the tank has only been running a week?Or should I wait longer? Did it cycle faster because of the live sand, live rock and its small size? My LFS has a sale on Percula Clowns today and I would like to buy one if it's now OK to put it in my tank. Thanks! :)

[OrionGirl]

If the LR was cured when you bought it, it mostly likely had healthy colonies of bacteria on it, and in effect, cycled the tank immediately.

I'd say you're fine to remove the damsels and add clowns--but take a water sample and have your test results confirmed to be on the safe side.

[K9Decoy]

Thanks for the reply, I'll retest just to be sure. :D