24G Nano-Few Days Old

[puckett88]

Just bought a 24g nano on saturday, got LS and 18 lbs of LR. I just added some kind of bacteria to help cycle the tank. How long does it take for a tank to cycle? I also have three fish in there, a percula, jawfish and a yellow tail damsel. Also, I am going out of town for a week and need to know what kind of automatic fish feeder to get. I was looking at the Aqua Chef Automatic Aquarium Fish Feeder, does any one know anything about it? If you have any tips for a noob for maintaning my aquarium, i appreciate it too. Thanks

 

[jbrownacu]

im pretty new to the whole SWA stuff, but im pretty sure that you should never put fish in a tank until it has cycled.

 

[gen1dustin]

Well putting not 1, but three fish in at a time in a new tank could hurt you. I knwo you probally don't want to hear this, but it is the truth. If you got LS & LR that is great as pretty much youv'e already got a ton of biological bacteria. Some things that are added to help cycle tanks are ok, like Bio-Spira can perform miracles from what I hear. Others like Cycle are ok, but don't work great. Most people will disagree with cycling with fish, but some still do it. Though since you have LS & LR it shouldn't go through a huge cycle. However since you added three fish it could be harsh on a new system. I would get a test kit & stay on top of your ammonia, nitrIte, & nitrAte. Make sure they stay low & do water changes when they get high.

 

[catawaba]

Get the fish out and back to the store! Let your tank cycle....use testing kits for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates....You'll need to do water changes and have PATIENCE!!!!

 

[larryndana]

Alot going on here. I'm still an newbie and i've defiantly learned the hardway. PATIENCE is key. And I read the archives & faq's forums here.
A good start with LR and LS. Buying fish before cycle is over, not so good. I don't know how good are bad the bacteria is to help the cycle along. A cycle could take weeks or longer. I don't think your fish will make it without frequent water changes.

 

[puckett88]

So do fish stores do returns on fish? Also, i added Bio-Spira today to the tank in order to help it cycle faster. Again theres 18 lbs of live rock in a 24 gallon tank and like 15 lbs of live sand. Also, does anyone have any information on the Aqua Chef Fish Feeder?

 

[gen1dustin]

I have no idea on auto fish feeders. Most stores probally wouldn't take them back. Here is the deal IMO, if you add LS & LR then you can add a fish or two like clownfish or something small with a small bio-load immediately. Your tank won't be very strong just keep an eye out on your levels & everything should be cool. Esepecially if you have a skimmer. So I think if you had one fish you would be fine. However just keep an eye on the levels & do a water change if you see the ammonia rising high. The Bio-Spira is great from what I've been told by lots of people. There is a thread on Reef Central about this, but if I post the link it will get deleted just search their forum for questions on cycling & you should find it.

 

[kmc]

With you going out of town for a week right after setting up the tank I think I would at least ask the fish store where you got the fish if they will "hold" your fish in one of their quarantine tanks until you get back. I know it sounds like overkill but there is a lot that can happen in a new tank in just a few days.

 

[blondie_00]

***) i dont compleatly agree with setting up a tank and putting three fish in...cycle with crabs or shremp. but i hope everything works out. bummer that you have to go away. you wont be able to do water changes or anything....is there someone you trust. i do house sitting for my town. ....but make sure they know about fish.and again lol good luck

 

[highside]

I started out with 36 lbs of lr in my 24 finnex. 18Lbs is a less than is generally recomended.