robert dri
Member
I am brand new to the hobby. I have a 72 gal tank in the beginning of its cycle (three days into it) I am using a variety of damsels....any advise for a successful cycle would be appreciated]
Thanks!
Thanks!
New tank temp
- Thread starter robert dri
- Start date
littleliza
Member
Ooooh... they're gonna yell at you...
How much live rock and sand do you have? You really shouldn't add fish until after your cycle is done. A lot of people will use damsels because they're cheap and it'll give you something to look at in your tank, but if you care about fish you really should just wait out the cycle naturally or use a peeled shrimp to get the cycle going. The chemical spikes that come along with cycling can kill the damsels or cause them to have permanent gill damage. Like I said, a lot of people do it, especially if they don't know (I did
) and many fish stores will recommend it 
but I thought I'd be the first to ease you into it gently. Some people really take offense.
but I thought I'd be the first to ease you into it gently. Some people really take offense.
robert dri
Member
Wow....I went by the advise of our local distributer as well as info offered in a book that I bought....what would my alternatives have been? :notsure:
robert dri
Member
would you guys advise that i return the Damsels before the ammonia levels begin to spike? Also....what sort of timeframe should I expect with the shrimp / feeding medhod?
robert dri
Member
By the way, littleliza....I have two 7 lb pieces of live rock in the tank
littleliza
Member
ok... I think they recommend about 1.5 to 2 lbs. of live rock per gallon. You might want to check on that to be sure. That'll help get your bacteria going. So will live sand. I've also read of adding ammonia to the water to kick start a cycle, but I've never heard of anyone actually trying it. Here's a little more about damsel cycling thoughts, though.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/177209/fish-are-not-for-cycling
I had fish store workers tell me to start out with damsels, too, but all too often they don't know much about fish or are just trying to make a sale. My original damsels are actually still alive and it's been a year, but I don't know if they have hurt their gills or not. If only I had known about this site beforehand. It's really helped me learn a lot and given me topics to research further that I never would have known about or thought of on my own. Good luck with everything!
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/177209/fish-are-not-for-cycling
I had fish store workers tell me to start out with damsels, too, but all too often they don't know much about fish or are just trying to make a sale. My original damsels are actually still alive and it's been a year, but I don't know if they have hurt their gills or not. If only I had known about this site beforehand. It's really helped me learn a lot and given me topics to research further that I never would have known about or thought of on my own. Good luck with everything!
robert dri
Member
Thank you all for your advise and suggestions
Have a great day
Have a great day
merredeth
Active Member
Originally Posted by Robert Dri
I am brand new to the hobby. I have a 72 gal tank in the beginning of its cycle (three days into it) I am using a variety of damsels....any advise for a successful cycle would be appreciated]
Thanks!
Robert:
You asked about the tank temperature in the title of this thread. So, I'm going to help with that one since you were well educated on the Damsel issue.
I keep my tanks at about 79 to 80 degrees. On really hot days, they may hit 81 but NEVER over 81 degrees. Late at night they may fall to 78 degrees, but I try not to let that happen. Temperature fluctuations are not good for fish. They just invite tank problems and fish problems.
My local fish store keeps his tanks at 81 degrees at all times. He keeps his salinity at about the same as I do.
I haven't had problems with itch or anything by following my water changing routine and I good feeding schedule and rotating food regularly to keep my fish healthy.
Denise M.
I am brand new to the hobby. I have a 72 gal tank in the beginning of its cycle (three days into it) I am using a variety of damsels....any advise for a successful cycle would be appreciated]
Thanks!
Robert:
You asked about the tank temperature in the title of this thread. So, I'm going to help with that one since you were well educated on the Damsel issue.
I keep my tanks at about 79 to 80 degrees. On really hot days, they may hit 81 but NEVER over 81 degrees. Late at night they may fall to 78 degrees, but I try not to let that happen. Temperature fluctuations are not good for fish. They just invite tank problems and fish problems.
My local fish store keeps his tanks at 81 degrees at all times. He keeps his salinity at about the same as I do.
I haven't had problems with itch or anything by following my water changing routine and I good feeding schedule and rotating food regularly to keep my fish healthy.
Denise M.
robert dri
Member
Denise =
What year vette? Mine....02, black with camel top
What year vette? Mine....02, black with camel top
mikeyjer
Active Member
I read it in another thread that you shouldn't cycle with raw shrimp. They said to use uncured live rocks to cycle the tank instead. I keep my temp at 78 at all times. I run my air all day long so I have my temp stabilized. Unlike last time when my air broke down and it caused a BIG problem when my temp fluctuated, my fish got sick with ich. Been doing regular water changes weekly. Feeding garlic guard (Formula Two), they're getting better now. It worked before and it has proven to work again this time!!!
robert dri
Member
Mike -
I read the same thing about raw shrimp....expecially store bought....way too many perservatives
I read the same thing about raw shrimp....expecially store bought....way too many perservatives
merredeth
Active Member
Originally Posted by Robert Dri
Denise =
What year vette? Mine....02, black with camel top
We have two.
Mine is an 88 25th anniversary edition - white with black & white ********
His is an 88 - charcoal metallic, I guess it is charcoal (or gray) ********.
They go to car shows every now and then. In about two more years I'm sure my husband will have them in even more car shows since they will hit the 20 year mark.
He wants a newer one to ram around in but when you live in the snow belt, you store these cars about three to four months out of the year anyway.
When we move south we'll be able to enjoy them even more! :cheer:
Denise M.
Denise =
What year vette? Mine....02, black with camel top
We have two.
Mine is an 88 25th anniversary edition - white with black & white ********
His is an 88 - charcoal metallic, I guess it is charcoal (or gray) ********.
They go to car shows every now and then. In about two more years I'm sure my husband will have them in even more car shows since they will hit the 20 year mark.
He wants a newer one to ram around in but when you live in the snow belt, you store these cars about three to four months out of the year anyway.
When we move south we'll be able to enjoy them even more! :cheer:
Denise M.