damsel/cleanup crew/cycle question

[brianbeme80]

Hi there, just a quick quesiton. My 90 has been cycling for about 2 weeks now, my NH4 is 0 and the NO2 is about 2 and NO3 is about 40-80. I chose not to cycle with damsels or any fish.
My question, can I add a couple damsels and/or clean up crew at this point or is it better just to wait it out??
I want to see something moving around!!

 

[michaeltx]

what did you add to kick off the cycle?
Mike

 

[michaeltx]

I forgot to put in there anything above 0 nitrites is toxic to fish so I really wouldnt add anything till that number and ammonia is at 0
Mike

 

[brianbeme80]

Thanks! I figured waiting would be best,... just wanted to ask. I added some fish food and "Cycle" to kick it off. Plau all the bio balls in my wet/dry were already cycled.
Edit: "Plus" all the bio balls in my wet/dry were already cycled.

 

[michaeltx]

LOL I cant either so thats OK
adding anything right now will put them into a toxic enviroment your pateints will be rewarded once you start though just take your time when you start adding or it will throw it back into another cycle.
Mike

 

[fishwanabe]

Hi Brianbeme80 and welcome, what do you have for live sand and/or live rock? also, you can add a piece or two of raw shrimp that will jump starts a cycle, I'm new as well so you might want to wait and see what the pro's think...good luck!

 

[slowburn22]

Yeah, add the shrimp... You could've done it with damsels but most people say its "cruel to the fish". Personally I wouldnt care if you cycled with endangered species.

Seriously though, adding damsels at this point would just be more trouble than its worth - they are not fun to catch...

 

[brianbeme80]

Thanks! So would the shrimp just decompose and go away? Would I have to scoop it out at some point? Is there any certain spot I need to put it in the tank?