Too early for a small CUC?

[PorterK]

Hi everyone. I started my tank about 2 and a half weeks ago. I've been letting it cycle but it seems like the cycle isn't really moving along, probably due to a lack of ammonia. Rather than dose I was wondering if I can just add a small CUC that will produce the ammonia I need and keep the tank looking clean until I can get fish

In my tank I am currently getting small algae growth as well as diatoms (I believe that's what it is-- little brown spots on my rocks).

I want to go to my LFS today and pick up a bottle of Dr Tims (I have live sand/rock already, but couldn't hurt rigtht?) and a very small CUC. 10ish small snails and 3-5 small hermits to get some natural ammonia cycling through the tank.

I for sure wont be adding fish until roughly a month from now, but would love to see at least some life (other than algae) moving around in the tank.

I believe the algae growth will be enough to support this small crew (in my 55gal aquarium).

Anyone have thoughts before I head to the LFS in a few hours?

 

[PorterK]

Also, as another side note, I have my salinity at a pretty steady 1.024 specific gravity. My ammonia is at 0.5 ppm, nitrites are at 0.25 ppm and my nitrates are at 10 ppm

 

[ihavecrabs]

I would hold off. They'll starve or die from lack of ammonia and give you a large spike in ammonia which will lead to an algae outbreak.

I'd recommend wait a month (or longer if required) and slowly add a CUC once ammonia is no longer present, 1ppm ammonia can be processed in 24 hours, and there is algae for the cuc to eat.

 

[RobZilla04]

I agree you should hold off. You need an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit. The API saltwater master kit is perfect for the early life of these systems. Test for ammonia. If you have added something similar to Dr Tims or another bacteria supplement along with an ammonia source such as a dead shrimp or fish food, patience is needed. Based on the fact you have algae growing I'm confident in saying the cycle is progressing. Thus you need to test to confirm.

As a side question did you start with dry base rock or already live rock from the local fish store? Same with the substrate, dry or packaged wet live sand?

 

[PorterK]

I agree you should hold off. You need an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit. The API saltwater master kit is perfect for the early life of these systems. Test for ammonia. If you have added something similar to Dr Tims or another bacteria supplement along with an ammonia source such as a dead shrimp or fish food, patience is needed. Based on the fact you have algae growing I'm confident in saying the cycle is progressing. Thus you need to test to confirm.

As a side question did you start with dry base rock or already live rock from the local fish store? Same with the substrate, dry or packaged wet live sand?

I have the API saltwater master kit, that's how I got those numbers. I added live rock and live sand but no source of ammonia. I will add a piece of shrimp today to see if it cycles properly.

I bought some AquaVitro Seed.. should I add it anyways? Or will my tank be OK since the cycle is moving along anyways.

 

[mahindra.dev]

@PorterK, add shrimp and the seed as well.When adding the seed, switch off everything and no skimmer for 2 days.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I have the API saltwater master kit, that's how I got those numbers. I added live rock and live sand but no source of ammonia. I will add a piece of shrimp today to see if it cycles properly.

I bought some AquaVitro Seed.. should I add it anyways? Or will my tank be OK since the cycle is moving along anyways.

If you add shrimp, do so in a mesh bag so you can easily remove once it starts decomposing.

I opted for dosing ammonium which is cleaner and much more easily measured (able to add 1ppm and time, for example, when it hits 0).

Either way works though!