Adding livestock to new tank

[Wolf89]

I am finally getting a better tank, a 90 gallon (!!!!!!!!!) Well, my parents dont want an empty tank cycling with rock. I know you cant add coral for at least 6-8 months and ( not sure about fish) fish about 3-6 months. Correct me if I'm wrong. Well how long should I wait before adding inverts and a cleanup crew like shrimp, crabs, snails, sea stars, etc. I was hoping to add at least a few shrimp relatively soon. Also, what are your thoughts about buying a few cheap chromis to help cycle and have in there before it's done? Like maybe a month after I start it? Thanks for your help everyone, this community is the best

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Turbostart 9000

 

[Wolf89]

Turbostart 9000

if I put that in, how long would it be before I add fish? What about coral?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

@Dr. Reef did a study on these maybe he can help you out.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

You will have to test your water for nitrite and ammonia to determine when your tank has cycled and established its natural bio filter. Once your nitrites and ammonia are reading 0ppm, you can begin to add inverts and fish. I would add one or two fish at the same time and then wait a month before adding any more and repeat for each addition, as every time you add a fish it will increase your bio load. If using Fritz Turbostart 900, it may be one week or longer. It varies for every tank.

You are safe to start adding corals once your liverock begins to encrust with coraline algae.
Some reefers have been successful adding coral shortly after the tank cycle is completed but I would only suggest this if you’re a seasoned reefer and highly attentive to your tank. Even so, it is high risk and you don’t want to start losing livestock, wasting money, and also disrupting your tank’s health. If you want to add mushrooms or some soft coral once it’s cycled, you may be safe as these are hardy and easy to keep but I would still tend to suggest it’s best to wait a few months or wait for coraline algae to begin encrusting your rockwork.

 

[Sod Buster]

The directions on fritz turbo 900 is at the same time. I didn't, used ammonium chloride, brought the tank to 2ppm ammonia for 3 days. It was 0ppm in less than 24 hours every time.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

Also, this is a helpful article to understand the process of cycling your aquarium:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/

And this is a helpful thread to understand how to use Fritz Turbostart 900 to cycle your tank:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacteria-in-bottle-busting-myth-seneye-style.456820/

Some other really helpful resources are the Bulk Reef Supply videos on YouTube and the pinned articles in this forum. Reading and watching those and doing the research on the front end of this will really save you from making a lot of beginner mistakes and will help you get your reef up and running and keep it healthy from the beginning. The more research you do, the more successful you will be. And in this hobby we are never done learning.

 

[LilElroyJetson]

You can also cycle your rock in a brute container with a heater and power head until it cycles before setting up your display tank. A lot of us do this.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

You can setup a tank and throw in a deli shrimp in it. Leave it in till ammonia hit 1.5 to 2ppm. About 2-3 day. Then dose Fritz Turbostart 900 and within few days tank will be cycled and fish can be added.
For inverts you would wanna make sure nitrates are low.