That made my day! So, I’m showing inconsistent nitrate levels (one day it’s 2 ppm the next its 0) but ammonia and nitrite have stayed at 0. Would a couple of clowns be ok?
API I already ordered a Red Sea one
Good start. I would make sure your cuc has enough to eat and assume you haven't started "ugly" stages yet. In terms of stocking I think above advice for developing a plan is what you want to do. When I had a Biocube I found the light to be sufficient for softies and lps and so I set it up as a mixed reef which is what most of us end up doing. I would start with some of the easier to keep softies and peaceful lps corals (mushrooms, acans, blastomussa, duncans, candy canes, etc.) and choose a few fish that are colorful, swim in different parts of water column, have interesting/unusual behavior, perform a function perhaps (algae control) and won't outgrow your tank. Some safe bets for first fish are clowns, orchid dottybacks, royal grammas, neon and clown gobies, and blennies. This is a great blog to ask about compatibility of fish and corals.My Biocube has been running for about 3 weeks now....I just ordered APEX controller, I’m confused if I’m done cycling because I had nitrate 2PPM and 0 for ammonia and nitrite. So I’m thinking I may dose again. But I also have a cleanup crew in there consisting of snails and crabs (hermit and emerald), and they are doing just fine. I’ve had them about a week. What would you all stock it with? Or would you add more Dr Tims bacteria?
I’m testing twice a day, and some days I get a 2 ppm or 0 or both every day....I read one forum and it said if you really are worried you didn’t cycle, put in another bottle of bacteria with the fish. The rock was already live when I got it, I have some brownish reddish algae in the back and on the sides of the tank too.
That’s what I needed! Awesome thank you so much!!!! I’ve had a tank in the past but I didn’t know a fraction of what I know now plus it was 10 years ago. So I’m trying to get everything perfect. I’m thinking I’ll find a couple of good clowns, and toss them in there and give them a week or two and if they do good I’ll get more. I like the stocking list that really helps. I was on the fence about a flame angel or any other angel since I would like to eventually get coral.
API kits are probably not too accurate; then again with such low levels of nitrate I wouldn't be concerned - just want to make sure they are going in right direction and maintaining as you add fish, etc. 2 ppm is a good starting point.
Could just be the API kit I've never used one but have heard people say that they aren't the most accurate for nitrates, they seem to work great for ammonia and nitrite though. I agree with @Mikedawg make sure to keep feeding your cuc because the crabs will eat the snails if they dont get enough food
What’s a good food source for them?
You could start with pellets or frozen food you will feed the fish. Just way smaller amounts. The crabs will find it. Right now you are just building the base bkocks doe your eco system. You gotta have food and waste for the circle to grow!!
