Fish before CUC?

[Keepmefromdrowning36]

I figured I'd buy my fish first until I read last night to get some clean up crew first. I was also told to get cheap damsels to cycle my tank. If I'm cycling now w no fish do I still start w them?

 

[Convict2161]

I figured I'd buy my fish first until I read last night to get some clean up crew first. I was also told to get cheap damsels to cycle my tank. If I'm cycling now w no fish do I still start w them?

IMSO don't cycle your tank with damsels. You can use a cocktail shrimp. Don't get a CUC yet either. Wait it out. Get the tank cycled. You really don't need a CUC anyway.

The biggest thing is to be patient. But I really wouldn't use damsels. They are very aggressive and nasty little fish and can be a nightmare to catch.

 

[DIZZLE808]

+1 for the fishless cycle. It's simple and there's no fish to catch when the cycles done

 

[Keepmefromdrowning36]

IMSO don't cycle your tank with damsels. You can use a cocktail shrimp. Don't get a CUC yet either. Wait it out. Get the tank cycled. You really don't need a CUC anyway.

The biggest thing is to be patient. But I really wouldn't use damsels. They are very aggressive and nasty little fish and can be a nightmare to catch.

I don't need a CUC? How do I keep the sand bed clean of old food and fecal matter algae and what have you?

 

[Convict2161]

I don't need a CUC? How do I keep the sand bed clean of old food and fecal matter algae and what have you?

Water changes, sand sifters like stars, certain snails will do some work for you. A CUC can be helpful don't get me wrong but if your cleaning the tank well you really don't "need" them but they are nice to look at.