I have asked this ? before

[true perc]

ok well i just got oof of the phone with my lfs in halifax. over the week i have had this for my tank has now just begun to get some brown hair algae and i now have to get a toothbrush to scrub it off. Also my nitrite and amonia lvls are 0 and my salinity is 1.023 now the guy at the lfs has told me that my tank has started to cycla and that i should get a clean up crew soon but you ppl (whom i trust more) have told me that i should get some table shrimp. Well my mom just bought some and the lfs told me that i dont need to get the shrimp that my LR will cycle for me because of dieoff. NOw i need to know should i put the shrimp in or shouldnt i remembermy amonia and nitrite lvls are 0 becasue i need to know thanx soo much
Chiao Jon-Paul

 

[mr . salty]

Ammo,and nitrite at zero,and showing brown diatoms are usually signs of a tank that is near or at the END of the cycle....How long has this tank been setup???
How much live rock is in there???
How big is the tank???

 

[ntvflgirl]

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER trust the lfs guy, unless he is tried, and tested to great lengths. The people here have nothing to sell you, and really do care if your tank is healthy. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[jakob4001]

Mr.S. is right again...need more info...although, LFS may be right, your tank may be cycling already...yes, LR will also help cycle your tank due to die off; you could speed up the proces by adding in the shrimp though, but should only need 1 or 2...

 

[true perc]

ok the tank is 37 gallon 30 lbs lr, 35-40 lbs crushed coral and it has been set up for abot a week now (setup on sunday)

 

[true perc]

people please help me i just scrubed off the algae on the rocks and i need to know if I need the shrimp in there or if my tank is done cycling please tell me i need help

 

[krishj39]

If you have a 37 gal tank and 30 lbs LR, then you should not have to add the dead shrimp. The last tank I set up was a 40 gallon with 10 lbs of LR, and the LR did the trick. Don't sweat the algae too much, it is very normal.
Kris