Couple of questions...

[ems101]

Hey guys and girls
I just started my new saltwater aquarium about 2 weeks ago. I have a 125G tank with approx. 75lbs of live rock. As i am new to this hobby i am kinda impatient with all this cycling stuff but i understand the importance. I have a few questions and i'd really appreciate any help anyone can give me. I want to know as much about this hobby as i can so i can care for my fish as best as possible.
Here we go.
1. How many fish do i need to start my cycle... i have had my tank up and running with 6 sm damsels for about 2 weeks now. and my ammonia is still around 0.25 is this normal?
2. Also my pH is at 7.8 with all my live rock and sand, is that a problem or will that fix itself?
thanx in advance for all your help... I asked my local fish store ppl but they are not the most helpfull...

 

[rayraypico]

1 they sell this stuff called "cycle" in the pet store. all it is, is some bacteria that is going to help your cycle. It will probably shorten the amount of time it takes for your tank to cycle.
2nd I would wait to after your tank cycles but you can buy some buffer. You can buff your tank and that will raise the ph but keep in mind when you do that you should also test your alkalinity to make sure that doesn't go to high. The more you buff the higher the ph but it also raises your alkalinity.

 

[ems101]

thanx RAYRAYPICO
that is great help.. i have put stress zyme in there to get more bacteria.. is that good?
and i am wanting a lionfish maybe a puffer and tangs will those get along?

 

[rayraypico]

not familiar with the name brand stress zyme but I think its similar to the cycle I mentioned.
I would not add any of those fish yet until your water right you may just waste you $$$$$. When I thought my tank was ready I went out and bought a tomato clown, They are inexpensive and very hardy and it probably is good starter fish until your water is right.

 

[ems101]

thanx for your help.. do you have any advice on lionfish?
if so what kind is best for community

 

[chandler04]

Porcupine Puffers are actually pretty good to start out with. When I started, I had no clue wat "cycling" was, so I went and bought a porcupine puffer. It did great. they are hardy fish and they are great, but you cant put inverts with them. That would be a mistake. So go ahead, grab a porky puffer, maybe a clown or two. Those are the best fish for the job

 

[barry cuda]

One thing I don't see anybody mentioning on this thread is that you don't need to add any fish to start the cycle...in fact, it's no longer the preferred method. Just throw a raw cocktail shrimp in there and let it start to decay. All you need is a source of ammonia to feed the bacteria, and you're good to go.
For that matter, I'd think 75 lbs of live rock would provide plenty of die-off to start the cycle without even a shrimp. I'd just wait and see what your ammonia does...eventually it should drop to zero, accompanied by a spike in nitrites. Once the trites drop to zero, you're there.

 

[sashimi]

Originally posted by EMS101
thanx for your help.. do you have any advice on lionfish?
if so what kind is best for community
:happyfish
None any fish that will fit in its mouth will be dinner.

 

[chandler04]

You really only need raw shrimp? That's pretty odd, but cool too. I never thought of that. I'll try that out down the road.

 

[kittykitty]

Cycle is a terrible product. The bacteria that is used in cycle isn't even a water based bacteria.
I would recommend using Bio-Spira, if you're going to use anything at all to speed up the cycle.
Your live rock will cycle your tank for you, without fish.