new tank questions

[matt1245]

ok so i set up my biocube (29) today and it has 15 lbs of base rock in it, live aragonite sand and its still clearing up i was wandering how long should i wait until i add a cleanup crew like a few snails mabye a shrimp??

suggestions and a price range would be appriciated

 

[thominil]

If it was bagged sand, it's not really live IMO. I would add a few, 2-3lbs. of live rock to seed your base rock. Cycle the tank before you add fish. Throw in a raw, unseasoned jumbo shrimp in (found at your local grocery store) and wait until it is decayed and ammonia and nitrites are 0 and you see nitrates. then do a 30-50% water change and you are safe to add fish. Slowly! Then wait a month or so and start adding your cuc slowly so they don't starve.

 

[matt1245]

ok thanks

 

[roka64]

I agree, you want to cycle your tank before you add a clean up crew or fish for that matter. Once your ammonia/nitrites spike and hit 0 and your nitrAtes rise, do a PWC and then you can add your clean up crew and fish, probably about 2 the first time and about one every few weeks....

 

[melosu58]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articles/articles/3/1/Cycle-your-salt-tank/Page1.html