Am I Going to have PROBLEMS???

[benihuma]

OK, my 45 has been cycling for 8 days now. On day 2 I added a 3 inch maroon clown and 5 1 inch damsels. On day 5 I added a 1 inch huma trigger. On day 7 I added 5 lbs live rock. How big of a mistake have I already made? Should I be getting my water tested weekly, bi-weekly? Is my tank going to be prone to problems? Dish it out, I can take it...brutal honesty.
Ben

 

[pufferlover]

7 fish alreadt in 8 days wow did you go overboard. After all we discussed here why would you do that (just being brutal as you asked). To me even the 5 damsels were over kill (literally) if you wanted to cycle with fish. Since it is doubtful that those fish are going to be able to take the cycle process if it were I the lfs would get back at least 5 fish. I know the feeling of wanting to go fast (did it myself more then once) but the downside is a time bomb is waiting in that tank and you are going to have amonia problems big time which will probably take out the clown and trigger first. It takes at least 3 weeks and often many more to get a tank ready for its first good fish and if you start it off wrong it will take forever.
You are new here according to number of posts so do yourself a favor go to the search feature (top right below new post area) then to tank cycling or just cycling and read all the good posts by our resident cycling experts and then follow their advice. I am not knocking what you have done but trying to lead you to the promised land (so to speak) by telling you how useful this board is if you know where to look for answers. Please for your finned friends well being lighten that load fast.

 

[fau8]

your going to fast, I would have started with 2 damsels and waited 2 weeks to see where you are in the cycle. The reason you use damsels is there the cheapest fish and if they die your not out to much of an investment.
The tank with nothing in it should cycle within 3 weeks adding a couple of fish will help the process go quicker.
I hope you don't loose the maroon clown, once you see the fish breathing heavy you will know things are getting bad.
I hope you have good luck getting through it

 

[slowest is fastest]

Originally posted by fau8:
<STRONG>The tank with nothing in it should cycle within 3 weeks adding a couple of fish will help the process go quicker.
</STRONG>
Sorry to disagree but a tank full of water will not cycle without something to get the process started. Whether it is a piece of raw shrimp or damsels. The "nitrogen cycle" from ammonia to nitrite to nitrate to (hopefully)oxygen and nitrogen gas (or a water change)can not start by itself. Adding damsels will not speed up the process but merely get it started.
no disrespect meant no offense intended
benihuma, I do agree however that you are moving WAY to fast slow down and lighten the bioload as soon as you can the sit back and wait for the cycle to run its course. While you are waiting use the search feature on this board to get as much info as possible. If your LFS will take back the extra stock try tading them for store credit for a good book on the basics (no sarcasim meant)in the long run it will be well worth the investment.
SiF

 

[jups1]

Just take back the clown & the trigger. Don't want to hurt the more expensive fish.
You're doing OK - if you want live rock - now is the time to add it. But if you can, add it all at once. Otherwise you will have to do it very slowly later.
Let your tank cycle with the LR and the damsels. Also, buy base rock for now. Don't get the really expensive rock that's covered with good life. It will all die off during the cycle. Just be patient - it will take some time for the cycle to complete.
Once it's done - don't rush out and get more fish. If you want the trigger - get him back & nothing else. He'll eat the damsels.
When first starting out, you need to take it slow, but it's well worth the wait. If you don't, you'll pay. Your tank will be difficult to manage, you'll have diseases and be totally frustrated. So read up on this board, and everywhere else.

 

[benihuma]

I knew I was going too fast. Is there any way possible that I could keep the clown and trigger and get rid of the damsels? Should I get my water tested to see how things are going, however good or bad? Everyone in the tank seems ok, they eat well, are very active, and are no longer frightened by movement near the tank. Please tell me what to do so that I can keep my two favorite fish. Thanks for all the input.
Ben
Oh yeah, if things go bad around when will they start?

 

[jcb]

Benihuma, I'm sorry to say this, but you're just not listening to the good advise that has already been given to you. Your fishes, if left in the tank, will suffer and then die. I understand that they are your favorite, but your true options are: taking them back to the LFS and giving them the opportunity to live longer; or keeping them, and only allowing them to live a short while longer. I think you know what I mean by this.

 

[slowest is fastest]

Ok first thing first...the bad news. Force yourself to take back the trigger,clown and three of the damsels if the LFS will let you because in the next couple of days (probably sooner) your ammonia levels in the tank are going to rise off the chart and you will start losing fish. As my name suggests I am somewhat conservative and even though it is a difficult pill to swallow I would remove all fish, allow your tank to cycle (have it tested by your LFS or better yet buy the test kits and do it yourself) Then after the cycle add ONE fish (like the clown but not the trigger) and watch for another cycle. After which you can continue to add more inhabitants SLOWLY every two to four weeks testing as you go. In the meantime read,read,read so you know when to stop adding (among other things). All in all this will probably take six to eight weeks (I know not what you wanted to hear)and while tons of people will say it can be done faster (and it can) none will be safer. In the long run you will save money and have better success if you take the time now to establish your tank correctly.
Post some more info about your setup and include substrate, filtration, total amount of any live rock (5lbs), etc.
PS in the mean time read "what exactly is "cycling"?" in the fish only discussion section. Good info there.

 

[rob 10737]

Just cycled my 100 gal. in 15 days with fritze-zyme and raw shrimp. I would have avoided the live fish. Will take a long time and getting the damsels out(if you want) is gonna be hard. Might think about returning the fish and going the other route. Good Luck.

 

[benihuma]

Thanks for all the replies, looks like I've got some decisions to make quickly.
As for my info:
45 gallon tank
whisper 3 filter with porcelain bio-things
emperor 400 with same porcelain bio-things
2 powerheads
10 lbs base rock
5 lbs live rock
crushed coral substrate
using biozyme weekly
That's about it.
Ben

 

[wingsnfins]

This is funny. The lfs thought I was nutty for setting up a 5-1/2 gallon tank. I have two small Damsels in it, and they are doing fine..I did not even have water in the tank before I owned a Saltwater Master test kit! Its been going for 13 days, now.
The ammonia reads a little higher than the store's dipstick method, but now my ammonia readings are down to about 0.50 ppm, on my kit, and the nitrates are between 5.0 and 10ppm, nitrites are between 2.0 and 5.0ppm.
I cannot seem to raise the pH above 7.8, however. (have been adding a special powder)
I'm wondering if I should take action to lower the 'trites and 'trates, or just let them run their course. What about getting a little Blue Leg Crab? Would it help or hinder the 'trate and 'trite stuff? LFS says to wait 4 more weeks. Really?

 

[jimi]

Benihuma as everyone else said you definately went overboard. You may have a chance with the clown and trigger because they are fairly tough fish. You would need to take back all the damsels, which you will eventually wish you did anyway, then get a test kit and check the water everyday if your ammonia begins to rise do a partial water change. This may prolong the cycle but it will save your fish. You might also get lucky and have enough bacteria between the live rock and bacteria you added to avoid an ammonia spike if you lose the damsels.

 

[slowest is fastest]

benihuma, given your setup I would still recommend taking back all the fish and letting your tank finish its current cycle and then move forward sowly. As jimi said the clown and trigger are tough and may survive but why gamble if you don't have to? Your call.
WingsnFins, sound like you are in the middle of the cycle. I wouldn't do anything except let it run its course. It shouldn't take four weeks to complete but it will be at least four weeks before the tank finishes its cycle and stabilizes. Keep checking the water and don't add the blue leg until then. The water chemistry will change fast and drastic in a 5.5g (as you may well know already?)Small tanks require constant attention and micro adjustments. Good Luck
SiF

 

[shel]

Take the clown and trigger back to the lfs. They are your favorite fish, you would fell bad if you lost them do to rushing, take you time and let it cycle. Good luck!
Shel

 

[moga]

Maroon Clown is pretty tough...i guess.
I used him to cycle my tank instead of damsels..he went through hard time and became toughest fish in my tank.(well i have one more fish beside him.. )
Good luck with your tank..i would keep maroon....

 

[caymanlovers]

I'll just emphasize part of what Jimi said - get a test kit and test every day until the cycle is over. You need to decide which fish to return but do it soon or the choice may be made for you. (If I were you I would return the damsels because they will be a problem in the future due to their aggressive nature.)
Good luck.

 

[benihuma]

I took a water sample to the lfs today and got really good news. He said my ammonia is fairly low and by the look of my nitrites he believes I'm in the second stage of my cycle. He thinks that in two to three more weeks the ammonia and nitrites should be zero and then water changes will keep the nitrate in check. I'm going to purchase my own test kit tomorrow and keep a log of my readings. Oh, and just to be safe I'm going to get rid of the damsels.
Oh yeah, he mentioned that the biozyme that i'm using is probably helping out what could be a bad situation. So far it looks good.
Ben

 

[benihuma]

TTT

 

[benihuma]

Cmon, check out my results of the tests. What do you think?

 

[goldfish]

As said before, "patience is a virtue." I would never cycle with any fish other than damsels. Triggers are NOT considered "disposable fish" and should never be used in the cycling process...JMHO. Many damsels will not survive the cycling process, but they do speed it up. I still have my black damsel that was from my original cycling...that was 20 months ago. The best advice you can get is by reading these posts, and READ,READ,READ. You will be a happier fish owner and your fish will be happier if you read up on saltwater tanks BEFORE you go out and buy a bunch of fish to put into your tank. We don't mean to be insulting....just get your brain in gear before acting. It will save you lots of money and heartache