Adding more fish

[Lmdw121]

how long when starting a reef tank can I add more fish? Currently have 2 clowns, 4 hermit crabs and some live rock. It's only been a week sonce setup

Thanks all!

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

When you say week... Since tank setup or since cycle completed? Doing a fish cycle I going to he really hard on those clowns and high risk of losing them if tank not cycled first.

I would not add any more livestock until tank is cycled and keep a close eye on those clowns.

 

[Lmdw121]

The tank has been cycled- our fish store friend said clowns are hearty and the best add for now. We were told to wait about 6 weeks before adding more. Fish are eating and sleeping and look good. Wanted to see what everyone else thought.
Thanks!

When you say week... Since tank setup or since cycle completed? Doing a fish cycle I going to he really hard on those clowns and high risk of losing them if tank not cycled first.

I would not add any more livestock until tank is cycled and keep a close eye on those clowns.

 

[bif24701]

Also please test for ammonia daily. It you detect any on the test do a water change. Ammonia will kill fish and once it starts accumulating it has a fast snowball effect as things start to die, soon everything will be dead.

Also there are a FEW proven products to help accelerate the “cycling” processes. One of those products is Dr. Tim’s One and Only, for salt water. It will help but it still takes time for the bacteria to form a population capable of processing all the ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate.

 

[bif24701]

Also, please start reading the stickies in this section. They will answer most, if not all, questions you may have as a new salt water person. And Welcome!

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

Once my tank was cycled (took 6 weeks). I added my 2 clowns. Then after about a week I added a couple shrimp and some snails with an emerald crab. Waited a week then added a goby and now doing ttm on 2 green chromis so another few weeks before adding them. From what I read you want to give a week or two between adding fish in new tank to give bacteria chance to catch up. Adding too many at once has potential to overload. That's what I found reading posts on this site. Hope helps