Setting Up the Tank

[Patti]

As you can see, I am new to this. With your help so far, I have gotten this far: Added the live sand and r/o water and the salt. The water is cloudy at this time. I also went out and purchased a Seaclone 100 skimmer and an Aquaclear powerhead. Questions: Do I attach the skimmer and the powerhead now or is there a waiting period? I was also told that I can cycle the tank with two damsels. When do I add the damsels? Again, this is a 29 gallon tank. Your help is very much appreciated. Thank you, Patti.

 

[Tigerlily]

Hi Patti: I am researching my first saltwater tank, so I am not too far behind you... Take a look at the articles section of this website. There is a good article about cycling your tank without fish. That is what I plan to do, rather than subject a damsel to that just because they are hardy. Your LFS will lose the sale of the damsels, but oh well... you'll be able to get the fish you really want when your tank is ready. I've heard the damsels are aggressive too... I have aggressive freshwater fish. I plan to get SW fish that play well with others!

 

[NaH2O]

Here are a couple of links for you. The first one is the article Tigerlily was refering to. The second is about Curing Live Rock, and the third is a thread I had started about cycling a tank with uncured live rock. Hope these help!

>>>Cycle your Tank without Fish<<<

>>>Curing Live Rock<<<

>>>Cycling with Uncured Live Rock<<<

 

[Patti]

Thank you Tigerlily and NaH20. I have read many of these threads in the past week, which have been helpful. I will read these three now. Thanks. Patti

 

[Patti]

Just read the three links--very informative/helpful. I decided to go with the shrimp method. BTW, does this shrimp cycling method work with FW tanks? Now I just need to know if I should run the skimmer while doing the cycling. Any advice? Thanks, Patti.

 

[Dewey]

cycling

Your can start the skimmer anytime it probble wont put out much waist for awhile. Unless your cureing live rock in there.

Hope this helps Dewey

 

[Patti]

Thanks, Dewey, for the response. I will test it out this evening.

Patti

 

[loganj]

Patti,
Yes, the shrimp method will work with any tank. The only thing it does is produce the ammonia needed to get the cycle going. Since it decomposes slowly, it keeps producing ammonia which continues to feed the bacteria ensuring that you have a good culture going when you introduce the fish.