How long should I wait?

saltwaternewb · Mar 25, 2008

My tank is just beginning to start the down hill part of the cycle. Getting diatoms and ammonia and nitrites are starting to lower a little bit. Once things are at zero I'll be adding my CUC of course but I was wondering how long after that would my tank possibly be ready to start adding some zoas? Also, is there any that are particularly newb friendly or maybe better yet, are there any that as a newb I should stay away from until I get more experience and a more mature tank. I am tired of staring at an empty tank but at the same time I don't want to rush things. Thanks.

Russellaqua · Mar 25, 2008

Once you're tank has cycled and your ammonia and nitrites are down to zero you can add zoas and LPS. Do not add SPS. Generally, SPS require a tank that has been set-up for at least a year. Also, don't add any LPS that require heavy feeding right away (i.e. sun corals) as the waste produced by this can overwhelm the tank. Other than that just remember to add fish slowly. I recommend 1 or 2 at a time, then allow a week or more for your tank to "mini-cycle" and get used to its' new inhabitants.

saltwaternewb · Mar 25, 2008

Thanks. I am going fishless in this tank. Just snails and some crabs (porcelain and pom pom) and corals. I am planning on having a zoa only tank as well. Glad to hear that I can start adding them pretty soon. I can't wait to get some color in there. Thanks again.

Russellaqua · Mar 25, 2008

My kind of person! I much prefer coral to fish. I'm glad to see there's at least 1 other person out there like me. Even before I started my business I had over 50 coral genera, 3 coral only tanks, and 4 fish.