need help, cycling new tank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dhe420]

Hi everyone, this is my first post and wanted to start by saying this board is very helpful... I started cycling a 58 ocenic reef ready tank about the first of may. I have about 85 lbs of live rock. I started with crushed coral but i want to add live sand. Can i just add it on top of the crushed coral?? What kind should i use?? Also what kind of clean up crew do you people reccomed? Should i add fish or clean up first? How much longer should i cycle the tank for?? I guess i will start with this for now. Any help would be really really appreciated.. Thanks Dave

 

[saltwater marauder]

If you want to add the ls you should do it asap. You can add it one top of a thin layer of cc but I would go all sand. There is also the option of using a plenum where you can install a small screen using pvc for brace between the layer of cc and ls. Do a search on this board for plenum and you'll find all kinds of info. I like natures ocean LS. and I would add fish first but its really your choice. Clean up crew depends on what you can afford and want. Scarlet Hermits, Scarlet cleaner shrimps, snails (astrea's, turbos, margaritas), and emerald crabs are some of my favorites and sally lightfoots are really cool as well. You should cycle your tank until you get readings of 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, and 0 - minimal nitrates. DO a search on this board for cycling and youll get a load of info there too. Best advice I can give is to read, read, read, and research what you want before you get it not after its in the tank and you run into problems. Just as you did here. This BB is an excellent resource, welcome and gl!
[ May 21, 2001: Message edited by: Saltwater Marauder ]