40G cleaning crew / cycle started

[Mstanker]

Alright everyone so i have started the cycle stages on my 40g tank. I'd like to be a step ahead of everything;starting off with setting up a good cleaning crew. The sand bed is a 1inch. bed. Also placed 20lbs of sand in my ref. for a 3/4 sand bed. If i could get some of the names of the cleaning crew to start looking around my LFS to get them. I have not even started any major things and already having fun lol. thanks
Also should i be running my protein skimmer while the cycle is going? I'm not atm.

 

[Ryan2428]

I really like my fighting conchs they do a lot of shifting of the sand and fun to watch

 

[Pete polyp]

I would run the skimmer now so it will break in. I did this with my skimmer but I allowed all the skimmate to drain back into the sump. You will get mixed answers on cuc due to personal preference. I prefer top have diversity, many different types of snails and hermits. Here's a good chart of the usual cuc and exactly what they do.

 

[Ryan2428]

Nice chart Pete just stole it lol

 

[Mstanker]

That is a really good chart!! the skimmer i have is a reef octopus 110 running in about 8.5 inches of water. Atm trying to get the bubbles to get really fine. I searched around and looks like everyone is stopping there bubbles right at the bottom of the neck? Does that sound about right?

 

[Pete polyp]

That is a really good chart!! the skimmer i have is a reef octopus 110 running in about 8.5 inches of water. Atm trying to get the bubbles to get really fine. I searched around and looks like everyone is stopping there bubbles right at the bottom of the neck? Does that sound about right?

Yeah that sounds about right

 

[Mstanker]

About how many of the cleaners do i need, just looking on reefo2go.com and packs to buy?

 

[Pete polyp]

About how many of the cleaners do i need, just looking on reefo2go.com and packs to buy?

Lots of things to consider besides size if the tank. I have always bought my cuc as I go. There will also be a difference of opinion here. Size of the individual snails/hermits will also come into play. From what I have seen reef 2 go sends tiny hermits and snails. The 50 strong would be a good start for a 40. I would call them and see if they won't replace the lettuce nudi because it will more than likely die very quickly without hair algae to eat.

 

[Pete polyp]

Also, you will need to provide a food source for these new creatures. It would be a good idea to ghost feed the tank and have a good photoperiod before they arrive because they're going to be hungry.

 

[Mstanker]

Ya i put some krill in the tank to start the cycle and also to ghost fed the tank.

 

[newlyreefd]

You should also check out Reefcleaners. They sell many packages for different size tanks.

 

[Pete polyp]

You should also check out Reefcleaners. They sell many packages for different size tanks.

+1
From my understanding this company is much easier to deal with.

 

[Mstanker]

Alright ill check them out, just waiting on the cycle to complete. I bought a good freshwater test kit, could i use some of the testing items in it for my saltwater tank...

 

[Mstanker]

So i am 6 days into my new tank, I did a High range hp, and ammonia test. hp is around 8.1-8.3 light purple. The ammonia just started the water test was clear with a tint of yellow going on. So hopefully the cycle will keep it up and i can have one fish in by like June 24 or so. On the rawr shrimp should I leave it in until its gone or keep changing the shrimp out?

 

[Pete polyp]

Just leave it in there and let it do its thing

 

[Pete polyp]

Did you use live rock or dry rock?

 

[Mstanker]

Dry rock with live sand

 

[Mstanker]

this is how it's starting out :wink:

 

[Mstanker]

so what does everyone think of my rock work? I also have a lot of white stuff hanging off the bottom of the shrimp net. But my ammonia lvls are clear 0

 

[Pete polyp]

I like the rock, lots of area for corals!