How long to wait

[Susan Edwards]

before adding my first fish to my new setup. I have a tank to take down and it has 2 fish that will go into new tank (gold head sleeper goby and damsel fish). Some of the live rock in that tank will also go to new tank and some of the sand is already in the fuge. More of the rocks with macro algae and the sand will also go into the new sump. I'd like to move everything this weekend.

125 g
Water in 2/9
Salt/Biospira/ammonia added 2/16

Added ammonia over 8
Nitrites were over 5
Nitrates 20-40

when ammonia hit 0, re-dosed ammonia up to 2-3

no3 0
Nitrites 0
nitrates 10

 

[EmdeReef]

Sounds like you have at least some cycle going given the presence of nitrates.

In your post:

no3 0
Nitrites 0
nitrates 10

no3 was supposed to read NH3? If that's the case a few hours after dosing that much it would seem your tank is cycled. I'd stress test it a few more times just to be safe but seems like it should be more than ready by the weekend. It's likely you'd be safe even sooner with 2 small fish in a 125g given your results.

 

[HB AL]

At least a week, as long as all Params are stable.

 

[Susan Edwards]

@EmdeReef You are right. I was referring to ammonia. I last dosed ammonia on Sunday and it is back down to 0. I'll do another small dose. That will make 3 total, 1 big, 2 smaller. And only the 2 fish will go in for a while and only because I need them out of where they are. In 2 weeks, will buy the first fish and put them in qt. Prob. 2-4 more damsels/chromis. Want hardy fish to begin with and I have one yellow tail already so maybe 2 more yellow tails and 2 or 3 others. I know they can be aggressive and should go in later but with a tank that size, hoping it should be good. Might add my 2 rocks of mushrooms as well as I want something else where those are in my current 66g display

 

[EmdeReef]

@EmdeReef You are right. I was referring to ammonia. I last dosed ammonia on Sunday and it is back down to 0. I'll do another small dose. That will make 3 total, 1 big, 2 smaller. And only the 2 fish will go in for a while and only because I need them out of where they are. In 2 weeks, will buy the first fish and put them in qt. Prob. 2-4 more damsels/chromis. Want hardy fish to begin with and I have one yellow tail already so maybe 2 more yellow tails and 2 or 3 others. I know they can be aggressive and should go in later but with a tank that size, hoping it should be good. Might add my 2 rocks of mushrooms as well as I want something else where those are in my current 66g display

Good luck! Always exciting to start a new tank

 

[Susan Edwards]

And just as nerve-wracking!

 

[Jesterrace]

The Nitrates definitely should be lower before you add. I am comfortable when they hit about 2 (there will always be a tiny residual amount). Be patient and it will work out for you.

 

[Susan Edwards]

@Jesterrace I had to laugh a bit. My other tank just will not go below 20 no3. Stays between 20-40 even 80 and even hits high days after water changes. No matter what. I siphon out the sump, removed the sponges ( RS AIO), stir sand bed, suck out what I can and do a 10-15% water change every week. Yes I feed heavy--have a sun coral and anthias but even without them, seldom did I see even 10. Yet, all my corals, except the bird's nest are growing, getting new heads, spreading, etc. and seem happy and healthy.

Fish are not bothered by nitrates. But it is my goal to try to have this tank with no3 between 5-10. PO4 is usually under 1, and if it goes over, I use phosguard and or gfo. In fact threw some in the sump of the new tank as I know the rock will leach po4. I even try using the nopox. Recently went back to it to attempt to get no3 down a bit.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Every 2-4 weeks is safe as you will increase loads from feeding, etc. Feed sparingly during the process and add the peaceful desired fish first so they are not intimidated by more aggressive mates.

 

[Susan Edwards]

@vetteguy53081 thanks. I'm stuck adding a yellow tail damsel and a goby first. Figured I'd get 2 more yellow tails and 3 yellow lemon chromis to put in QT. They are hardy fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 thanks. I'm stuck adding a yellow tail damsel and a goby first. Figured I'd get 2 more yellow tails and 3 yellow lemon chromis to put in QT. They are hardy fish.

They are hardy but also in time will be aggressive ( mainly towards each other) and territorial.

 

[Jesterrace]

@Jesterrace I had to laugh a bit. My other tank just will not go below 20 no3. Stays between 20-40 even 80 and even hits high days after water changes. No matter what. I siphon out the sump, removed the sponges ( RS AIO), stir sand bed, suck out what I can and do a 10-15% water change every week. Yes I feed heavy--have a sun coral and anthias but even without them, seldom did I see even 10. Yet, all my corals, except the bird's nest are growing, getting new heads, spreading, etc. and seem happy and healthy.

Fish are not bothered by nitrates. But it is my goal to try to have this tank with no3 between 5-10. PO4 is usually under 1, and if it goes over, I use phosguard and or gfo. In fact threw some in the sump of the new tank as I know the rock will leach po4. I even try using the nopox. Recently went back to it to attempt to get no3 down a bit.

I meant in terms of cycling. Obviously the nitrates will be higher when you have a stocked tank.

 

[Susan Edwards]

thanks @vetteguy53081
gottcha @Jesterrace

 

[vetteguy53081]

@Jesterrace I had to laugh a bit. My other tank just will not go below 20 no3. Stays between 20-40 even 80 and even hits high days after water changes. No matter what. I siphon out the sump, removed the sponges ( RS AIO), stir sand bed, suck out what I can and do a 10-15% water change every week. Yes I feed heavy--have a sun coral and anthias but even without them, seldom did I see even 10. Yet, all my corals, except the bird's nest are growing, getting new heads, spreading, etc. and seem happy and healthy.

Fish are not bothered by nitrates. But it is my goal to try to have this tank with no3 between 5-10. PO4 is usually under 1, and if it goes over, I use phosguard and or gfo. In fact threw some in the sump of the new tank as I know the rock will leach po4. I even try using the nopox. Recently went back to it to attempt to get no3 down a bit.

Sounds like a lot of cleaning, hence bacteria is being removed in the process. O would try a nitrate sponge in sump or filter and less frequency on water changes. Vodka dosing may also help.

 

[LJLKRL05]

If you are moving live rock and sand from your old aquarium the cycle should go really quick

 

[mta_morrow]

You executed plan and your readings are just fine. You’re ready to make the move.

I just cycled my latest tank w dry rock, 3 different bottles of bacteria, and dosed ammonia twice. Nitrates between 10-20. Then over 2 days added 13 fish.

Your planning on way less. You’re good to go!