sequence of events

[tyenee]

in what order does things get added to the aquarium, after the sand, and water, and how long do i wait before adding the next thing?
-tye

 

[tizzo]

I assume you are talking about "inside" the actual aquarium. Not equipment in general right. After the sand and water, and of course the salt, I would then add the live rock. 1.5 to 2 pounds per gallon.

 

[tyenee]

does clean up crew go in before fish or fish before cleanup crew?
-tye

 

[tizzo]

AFTER the cycle, I would add the clean up crew next. But that may be a personal preference.

 

[tyenee]

and cycling takes what, about 6-8 weeks? and will the cycle just start, or do you have to do something to start it?
-tye

 

[tizzo]

You hafta do something to start it. Live rock will start it . But another popular method is to just simply throw a piece of shrimp in your tank...Yep, the kind you eat...only not cooked. You want something in your tank that will rot and cause an ammonia spike. The ammonia is "converted" to nitrites then those to nitrates then your parameters will all read 0. You are correct, it will take about 6 weeks. Using live rock to cycle your tank will usually accomplish this in about 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[tyenee]

does it have to be ordered lr, or can it be bought from the lfs, stuff that is already cured?
-tye

 

[dedwards]

you can use either. LFS cured is preferred because there won't be as much die-off but most shipped LR will have more hitchhikers which may not live through a cycle.