adding clowns

[rmdavis]

I have another question (( big surprise huh?? LOL)) ok I read somewhere that you could use clowns a lot like damsels to cycle a tank is there any truth to this?? or is it better not to... just wondering because not big on using the damsels then having to recatch them.... thanks again

 

[pufferlover]

Most lfs sell clowns and tell you they are first fish, but it is not really that true. Clowns are not the most hardy fish. Now what I found a while back is that for years sailfin mollies were used for first fish but sort of lost favor as more colorful fish came along. I have seen full salt mollies at lfs from time to time and I think they would be a great fish to start with. As far as clowns I'd say it is a 60/40 chance they will live thru a complete new cycle.

 

[rmdavis]

thanks pufferlover...... also... do You think there is much benefit over cycling with fish versus fishless cycling?

 

[salttrigger]

I didnt used damsels to cycle my tank,I used live rock and live sand, after it cycled I added the first fish(Tomato Clown).

 

[rmdavis]

thanks for all the info.... think I may try the no fish route though.... because am not for killing any fish unnecessarily or for chasing damsels down

 

[marine qa]

I would also suggest cycling w/out fish. I used raw shrimp and uncured LR to cycle. I also added a Tomato Clown as my first fish. She has grown large, probably from her love of raw shrimp.

 

[blueberryboomer]

Raw shrimp is the way to go, beware though they get a little smelly. We used 8 jumbo uncooked shrimp to cycle our 200gal. I just droped them in and left them alone, started doing water checks about 3 weeks after I put them in, the cycle took about 6 weeks, we had a good hard cycle...Later Lisa

 

[denisec]

I have 2 molly fry that I added to my tank a few weeks ago.. meant for them to be a snack.. well they are still hanging out like they were meant to live there.. getting bigger every day