TANK CYCLE

[knotsmart]

my cousin just set up a 65gl reef.. he got a bunch of LR several months ago from a guy breaking down a 120gl for free and since then he's had the rock in a big tub with a pump in it maintaining salinity and even doing WC.

now that he set up the 65gl and put the LR in we're having a discussion/ debate as to when to introduce livestock..

He contends that the LR is cured and therefore he can immediately introduce livestock without risk .. that the LR has plenty of bio and he's good to go( you can even see copepods crawling all over the rock)

I argue that he should put one cheap fish (damsel) and wait for the tank to cycle out and settle in..

what do you think??
thanks guys
jason

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I expect that he can slowly add livestock since there should be a good amount of nitrifying bacteria around, but he can verify it by adding ammonia and seeing how fast it dec
Ones.