Food for critters

[gear-head]

What do I feed the critters in a tank that has cycled, but does not yet have fish in it. I'm figuring on cycling my tank, then adding a cleanup crew, snails, some sand sifters and a shrimp or two.

Some specific recommendations would be great!

50g w/about 80lbs LR

Thanks.

[luckycat]

I'm really a newbie at this, but I just went through the same process you're describing, and had the same question. Based on the advice of others on this forum I haven't put a drop of food in the tank..well, except for some DT Photoplankton for a clam that we discovered. The "critters" - several snails, a couple of little hermit crabs and a peppermint shrimp, have been eating algae, junk on the LR, sand, etc.

At the end of your cycle you should see some algae and diatom growth (brown stuff), I guess that's pretty normal. The critters will eat up that like crazy.

If I'm saying the wrong thing I'm sure you'll get excellent advice from others.

[Bearfan]

I use phytoplankton to feed my filter feeders on my LR.