Fish for a new tank?
- Thread starter axepilot
- Start date
No. You shouldn't even have damnsels in there. I know that is an accepted way for a lot of people to cycle their tanks but IMO, they shouldn't have to suffer. You could cycle your tank with just lr and ls or you could have used a cocktail shrimp from the deli.
Damnsels are territorial so you might want to consider taking them out before you add any other fish. In other words, some might make it but it is still cruel.
Damnsels are territorial so you might want to consider taking them out before you add any other fish. In other words, some might make it but it is still cruel.
When I first started in marine aquariums twenty years ago, damsels were the way to cycle the tank. They are tough enough to weather higher ammonia and nitrite levels and I've never lost one cycling a tank. This is the first new tank that I've set since 1991. I guess that I'm working from ancient history and have a lot of catching up to do. I've had my damsels in now for two weeks with no sign of distress. I have no intentions on killing them. If the damsels start getting distressed, I have a 10 gallon tank on standby for them.
I also intend to find the damsels a new home when I start stocking the tank. I remember from past experience just how territorial they are.
I also intend to find the damsels a new home when I start stocking the tank. I remember from past experience just how territorial they are.
I hope you don't think I was flaming you. :sad That wasn't my intention. I guess what it really comes down to is you do what works for you and I will do what works for me as long as we both get the results we are after.
Skippy,
Nah, I didn't sense any flames from you.
It's pretty apparent to me that the state of the art has advanced considerably in the years I was out of the hobby. I'm still in awe over my wet/dry filter! Back in "the day", a serious undergravel with a honkin' cannister filter was the way to go. If I would have known about the cocktail shrimp maneuver, I would have done that instead of adding damsels. The LFS OK'ed my use of damsels - but I guess they're in the business of selling fish. Anyhow, they're in the tank now and apparently happy. The ammonia has just started it's upward climb, and I'm testing every day. The first sign of stress in the damsels, and they're going to the 10 gallon shelter that's already run in.
I'm a fairly responsible fish keeper and I have gone to heroic lengths in the past to keep fish alive. Once the tank is cycled, I already have a cozy home lined up for the damsels in a friend's tank.
All of my past experience basically counts for zip now. I look forward to soaking up the wisdom here as my tank and experience grows.
Thanks!
Nah, I didn't sense any flames from you.
It's pretty apparent to me that the state of the art has advanced considerably in the years I was out of the hobby. I'm still in awe over my wet/dry filter! Back in "the day", a serious undergravel with a honkin' cannister filter was the way to go. If I would have known about the cocktail shrimp maneuver, I would have done that instead of adding damsels. The LFS OK'ed my use of damsels - but I guess they're in the business of selling fish. Anyhow, they're in the tank now and apparently happy. The ammonia has just started it's upward climb, and I'm testing every day. The first sign of stress in the damsels, and they're going to the 10 gallon shelter that's already run in. I'm a fairly responsible fish keeper and I have gone to heroic lengths in the past to keep fish alive. Once the tank is cycled, I already have a cozy home lined up for the damsels in a friend's tank.
All of my past experience basically counts for zip now. I look forward to soaking up the wisdom here as my tank and experience grows.
Thanks!
A major problem with a fish cycle is only enough bacteria are produced to handle the load of only those fish, with a cocktail shimp enough ammonia is produced to feed enough bacteria to have any fish you want.
Seeding a tank from another healthy system will greatly shorten this process, and the associated stress. My 2 cents regarding cocktail shrimp; if I am setting up a new tank, I want to make sure there are no other toxic elements present besides the usual cycling compounds; for instance I have seen live rock encrust a piece of deadly metal or junk so completely you couldn't see it... a dead shrimp cycle wouldn't give you a clue... also, high-end fish only systems often utilize fiberglass or other artificial reef structures which need to be tested for toxicity... bottom line, I want to make sure there is nothing toxic before I start adding high dollar species, and the damsels take care of that. Those guys are so tough, I've never lost one in a cycle.
Actually if you are cycling a tank, there shouldnt be anything else in there unless you are cycling with uncured live rock. Ammonia is toxic to anything no matter how hardy something it, it will eventually die of suffer extremely bad gill damage since it would essentially be swimming in acid. Also the bacteria only grow to match the size of the available bioload, hence having 3 damsels will only produce a large enough bacteria colony to support 3 damsels, the only real advantage of this come from that Anerobic bacteria which break down Nitrates in low oxygen areas (which is what a DSB is used for) which always reproduce slower then Aerobic bacteria.
While there is no right or wrong way to cycle and aquarium, using a raw cocktail shimp will cost 1/10 the cost of a few Damsels, hence saving more money for other fish, also by the time the Cycle is done, the Damsel will have established a territory which it will aggressivly defend against all intruders, which would be any fish added after the cycle.
While there is no right or wrong way to cycle and aquarium, using a raw cocktail shimp will cost 1/10 the cost of a few Damsels, hence saving more money for other fish, also by the time the Cycle is done, the Damsel will have established a territory which it will aggressivly defend against all intruders, which would be any fish added after the cycle.