Cleaning crew, before or after cycle

[pelena]

Presently I have a few (5-6) hermits, boxing shrimp, and some new little critters from my LR. Should I wait for the cycle to complete before adding more or just put in a bunch more hermies and some snails? I thought I read (couldn't find it again if I did) that I should add the crew after I get alot of algae growth.
Oh, what do you think of the setup?

 

[viper_930]

The cleanup crew goes in after the cycle. No livestock should be in the tank before or during the cycle.

 

[pelena]

thats what I thoght. I have a friend whose tank has been through the cycle about 2 mo ago and he needs soom hermies so Ill pass them along. I guess with the couple of fishes I have also. I thought though that the damsels or other ultra hardy fish were supposed to help start the cycle by increasing the nitries. Comments? Directions? :help:

 

[puffer32]

Its more humane to use a cocktail shrimp to cycle your tank. I would give all the livestock to your friend:happyfish

 

[pelena]

so how much livestock or shrimp is recommended for a 55gal?

 

[crazy4reefs]

your tank looks good, did you decide to take out the undergravel filter ?
if not now would be the best time to do it while it is still cycling and before you add more live rock.

 

[pelena]

Yeah, I took out the UG filter and rearranged things alittle bit. The water already cleared up alot. I guess I'll test the water in a few days. Does algal growth really mean that the cycle is comming to an end?