Cycle Advice

[infinite0180]

Ok, my first tank is cycling. All dry rock, using Dr. Ammonia. 2 juvie clowns in a separate QT. I need some advice on next step. I want to keep my clowns in QT awhile longer but i dont know what to do about my DT. Do i keep dosing ammonia? Do i go get a CUC? How about a cleaner shrimp or a coral like GSP? Should i do another water change? Should i ghost feed? Do i just leave it alone till my clowns are ready? Any advice helps! Thank you!

 

[infinite0180]

Forgot to add that towards the end i forgot to change my filter floss for over a week and i think that spiked my nitrates and stalled the cycle a little bit. Having two tanks going has been stressful for my first time to say the least. I kind of neglected the DT while caring for my clowns in QT...

 

[Ctg0209]

Forgot to add that towards the end i forgot to change my filter floss for over a week and i think that spiked my nitrates and stalled the cycle a little bit. Having two tanks going has been stressful for my first time to say the least. I kind of neglected the DT while caring for my clowns in QT...

Clowns are part of the damsel family so they are hardier fish. If your quarantine is finished you could add them however I would recommend to just start adding your clean up crew as you need them and maybe a little food if you are adding hermits or something.

 

[infinite0180]

Clowns are part of the damsel family so they are hardier fish. If your quarantine is finished you could add them however I would recommend to just start adding your clean up crew as you need them and maybe a little food if you are adding hermits or something.

Thanks. The clowns got their second dose of prazi today and i was hoping to observe them for another week to decide if they need copper or not... i could go get a small CUC tomorrow though. There is hardly any algea in the DT. The lights have been off this entire time. Im hoping to set up my AI Prime tomorrow as well and see what happens to the tank when it has light on it.

 

[infinite0180]

Bump this up for more advice!

 

[infinite0180]

Well today i changed out 5 more gallons and tested nitrate. It was at 10. I redosed 1ppm ammonia to see if it clears over night...

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Have you tried using Purigen? I've been using it for years and for me, it keeps everything in check.

 

[infinite0180]

Have you tried using Purigen? I've been using it for years and for me, it keeps everything in check.

I was actually thinking about giving it a shot. I heard that you should not use it on a new system just because it prevents it from maturing because it pulls ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate out of the water. Do you think thats true?

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I was actually thinking about giving it a shot. I heard that you should not use it on a new system just because it prevents it from maturing because it pulls ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate out of the water. Do you think thats true?

Remember that you're getting one persons opinion here. I've used Purigen after the first couple of weeks on my all tanks, and I've been successful. YMMV.

 

[Crashjack]

You can certainly add a CUC and ghost feed. I would stop adding ammonia if that is what you are going to do. You can also add some pods if you like. If you have a refugium, you should add chaeto if you haven’t already.

 

[infinite0180]

Thanks guys! I guess i have a few things to consider. I do not have a fuge. The tank is an IM 20 AIO so i think im just going to use WC and chemical filtration as my main mode of nutrient export. Im trying to learn the basics here and if everything goes well i will upgrade to a larger tank with a sump in a little while. I was not going to add any more ammonia just incase i wanted a CUC asap but honestly i might wait till next weekend. Im curious to see how quickly it clears the 1ppm ammonia now that ive basically changed all the water and have nitrates in check. Ill report back tomo!