Originally posted by beaslbob
even if your ammonia and nitrItes have bumped up and then down, you had better wait for another two weeks before adding fish. Ths will allow any fish born parasite to die from lack of a host fish. Additionally, there are other parameters such as calcium, alk, and ph which may need more time.
Also if you do not have plant life then add some. That will complete the nitrogen cycle, filter out all types of stuff, control the undesirable plant life, and result in a balanced, stable tank.
balashark21:
While I do recommend waiting before adding any fish to the tank, I do believe you have the right idea with starting with a clean-up crew. I'd recommend strictly hermit crabs to start with. I find they are as tough as nails and are very efficient workers
I would avoid snails for the time being. They are IME a little more sensitive to flucuations on water quality. I'd hold off on them until the tank stabalizes some more.
The reason I inserted the above quote was because I don't agree with a lot of it. There can or will be no "fish born parasites" in the tank...simply because there has never been a fish in the tank to introduce it. So I wouldn't base waiting on fish on that. Something like ich will not survive in the water column over 48 hours without a host. So don't worry over that.
The main levels you need to check for right now are Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, salinity, and temperature. Make sure all of these are in check. If you are using aragonite as your sand bed then you pH SHOULD be ~8.3. If it's not, you can buy buffer which will bring it to 8.3 for you. That would need to be done before any fish go in. If you listed your pH as fine in a pervious post then disregard this part
I wouldn't be worrying about your calcium or alkalinity levels at this point. Those are more crucial when it comes to keeping corals then just adding a couple of fish.
I also would not add any type of plant life to the tank. You want the tank to cycle itself completely. Adding plants(caulerpa), etc which will remove things like nitrates from the water will only hinder your cycle. You want the undesirable algaes to grow and die off during the cycle...it's all a part of it. I would just let things run their course. IMO of course.
I just wanted to jump in to say you seem to be starting out great and don't let that last post scare you into thinking you have a million things to worry about. Good luck with the tank and keep us posted!
