Need some clarification post cycle

[Vinh]

The more I read the more I get confused...

My understanding is that after the initial cycle you want to add some livestock that will provide a bio-load that will support the beneficial bacteria that was created during the initial tank cycle. Initially I was going to add 1-2 fish but am now considering a small CUC crew first (1 hermit crab and an emerald crab; don't care for snails so I'm hoping to not have to include them). I also don't plan on doing an additional feeding of the CUC crew.

Is this enough to sustain the beneficial bacteria? Am I overthinking this?

 

[brandon429]

yes that is enough, these are common questions when the nature of bacteria is in question and much of reefing has the notions incorrect (that if you don't add something, they'll starve)

not the case, even if you didn't add a cuc

here's why:

a cycled tank, one that has the complements to reduce waste and not register free ammonia or nitrite, matured in the given time span in the presence of other bacteria, burgeoning organic stores in the tank (rotting shrimp or feed etc) and these mechanisms feed nitrifying bacteria even if we don't intervene after a cycle time. You can't cause sterility on your formerly cycled surfaces simply by withholding bioload, they are still getting trace ammonia without our help, says aeons of natural selection. They are entangled among other bacteria inside films and scums undergoing natural life and death processes; death equals decay equals feed for nitrifiers in residence, and this is only one mechanism for attaining feed there are plenty. its not that you are going to leave it fallow for 5 yrs to test this lol, the short time you are considering will literally cause nothing backwards to your cycle. im not thinking one can switch from no fish to several fish bioload in a system of low surface area without the ramp up time, its that sterility wont be caused by minor feed withholding, there were alternate sources for sustenance.