lastlight's 225

[lastlight]

If Ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrates aren't too high what is actually BAD about adding a fish and letting the bacteria adjust accordingly? There will certainly be some bacteria and a single fish would be pretty light biologically speaking?

I thought that Cycle stuff was for freshwater lol.

[Delphinus]

As long as the fish is of hardier stock, I think that's pretty much what you HAVE to do at some point. Basically it's like revving the engine and it comes back down. Like you say, without something adding more ammonia it will come back down, which is self defeating.

I've used Cycle in SW. There are also some similar products intended for SW, they say it's different bacteria. (FWIW.)

[lastlight]

Precisely what I'm thinking. This isn't me being impatient at all. I just can't see time working in my favour without a food source for the bacteria once my params are ideal. I think a single fish in the tank for a couple weeks and then see where things are. I don't plan to turn my lights on for the fish either so It's not like I'd have some massive algal bloom in the display without a crew to pulverize it.

[kien]

I liked the first aquascape because the formations reminded me of giant Cylon Basestars flying through your tank! I like the new aquascape because it looks like a reef.

This won't be the end of your aquascaping be the way :-) Things will change once you start stocking fish and corals. Probably not a lot, but you will probably face the odd, "Oh man, I need a rock right here" moment (or two).

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

If ammonia and nitrite are zero I would recommend you start adding fish slowly. I think you really need to start to add them as soon as possible after getting to that point so that you keep the bacteria colonies going. It has always worked for me anyways...as long as I went slow

[lastlight]

My idea of slow is a fish per month. Is that normal?

This new nitrite kit just became my most prized possession.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by lastlight

My idea of slow is a fish per month. Is that normal?

This new nitrite kit just became my most prized possession.

My idea was more like fish per week

Actually I think it depends on the size. A bunch of blue eyed cardinals may put about the same load on a tank as a large tang.

As the tank gets more established, you can add more fish at once. For now, I would go one a week depending on size but that is just my experience.

Add the tangs last if possible and at once if more than one. Again just my opinion.

Eventually the Alk test kit with become your prized possession if you get heavy into SPS

[Lance]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

If ammonia and nitrite are zero I would recommend you start adding fish slowly. I think you really need to start to add them as soon as possible after getting to that point so that you keep the bacteria colonies going. It has always worked for me anyways...as long as I went slow

I agree. If nitrites & ammonia are zero, it's time to add a fish or two. Maybe those damsels you wanted. (They are tough little bastards).
I've used Cycle numerous times and it does seem to speed the process up.

[lastlight]

Just to clarify...my nitrites are at 0.35 ish. But I was looking for advice on what to do when it is zero. It seems that regardless of whether I start with all live rock or all dry with a bit of live...it means the same thing.

Naturally I have to wait far longer for coraline etc but I'm asking about fish and they require bacteria which I would have at that point.

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by Lance

I've used Cycle numerous times and it does seem to speed the process up.

+1. I figure it can't hurt anyhow.