should I feed my LR?

[disco bay jn]

I just started to cycle my first saltwater tank. I was also wondering how much light I need for my 180g tank. I want to have anemones coral and fish. The 140#'s of LR I used was cured, and put in the tank within an hour of purchasing it. I got a bunch of critters in with the LR (8-10 small crabs, some tiny shrimp, snails etc.) Will they die because my tank hasn't cycled? Should I be feeding my LR with some flakes or something?
Thanks

 

[ruaround]

LR loves pizza, chicken and an occasional steak with a tossed salad...

sure... put a little flake in there... but not too much, just what your cleanup crew will eat...

 

[disco bay jn]

Cleanup crew? Should they be in there before my tank has cycled?

 

[cam78]

No, he is referring to your snails and other critters attached to your LR. I really don't think you have to feed them, they are prob small enough that they will find food within the live sand and rock. No reason to feed, you will prob get more algae that way. Lr does not eat.
Also you are correct, add the clean up crew after your tank has cycled. The critters you have might die but maybe not if your rock was cured. Just let it go.

 

[ruaround]

your clean up crew is the "critters" you listed... how long has your tank been st up??? most of your "critters" should make it through the cycle... but chances are you going to lose some...
since you dont have any other live stock in there you can feed your "critters" but IMO you shouldnt feed em that much or that often...

 

[al mc]

Dosco.....Rule of thumb...most use 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of live rock per gallon of water. Your LR itself certainly does not eat, but to maintain the nitrogen cycle bacteria in the rock it does need a source of ammonia. IMHO it is unlikely that your cured rock is fully cured and you will go thru a 'cycle'. Your ammonia will rise, then your nitrite and finally your nitrate. The inverts will unlikely survive if this is correct. Once your tank is fully 'cycled' then you can slowly start to add inverts/fish/corals. Hopefully you have a protein skimmer to help remove some organic waste products.
Lighting: Fish only: Basic and inexpensive fluros
Corals: Basic: VHO fluor
High light requiring corals: Metal Halides (MH)
and T5 (actinic fluros...power compacts)
Welcome to the board.....Read lots of the archive files and ask lots of questions to avoid the problems other (including me) have had........