When can I add a Clean Up Crew?

[NewFishGuy85]

Hello, new to the saltwater aquarium. Just picked up a new Biocube 32 gallon and started to set it up. Put in Live sand, live rock and Imagitarium Pacific Coast water yesterday. Water has cleared up overnight. My PH is 8.2, Ammonia is 0, Nitrate is 20ppm, and my Nitrite is 0. When am I able to start putting in a clean up crew?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello, new to the saltwater aquarium. Just picked up a new Biocube 32 gallon and started to set it up. Put in Live sand, live rock and Imagitarium Pacific Coast water yesterday. Water has cleared up overnight. My PH is 8.2, Ammonia is 0, Nitrate is 20ppm, and my Nitrite is 0. When am I able to start putting in a clean up crew?

I would give it a little bit, if you add a clean up crew with nothing to clean up, they'll starve. Unless you already have good algae growth.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Also Welcome to R2R!!

 

[Jesterrace]

Hello, new to the saltwater aquarium. Just picked up a new Biocube 32 gallon and started to set it up. Put in Live sand, live rock and Imagitarium Pacific Coast water yesterday. Water has cleared up overnight. My PH is 8.2, Ammonia is 0, Nitrate is 20ppm, and my Nitrite is 0. When am I able to start putting in a clean up crew?

Usually it's recommended to wait until you get your brown algae (Diatom) Bloom at the final stage of the cycle. If you just put it in yesterday, your cycle hasn't really even begun yet. Have you added a source of ammonia to your tank to start the cycle? You can't just throw it in and expect it to do it on it's own.

 

[NewFishGuy85]

I have a bunch of worm-like creatures coming out of the rock. Also a little algae here and there but not too much. I'll probably end up waiting a week or so before I add a cuc. Thanks for your help.

 

[Jesterrace]

I have a bunch of worm-like creatures coming out of the rock. Also a little algae here and there but not too much. I'll probably end up waiting a week or so before I add a cuc. Thanks for your help.

The process can take 30-60 days, so don't be impatient. I wouldn't even test the water for the first week while you wait for the tank to cycle. Also that water you are using, do you have any idea what kind of filtering process it has been through (ie RO or RODI)?

 

[PatW]

For algae eating creatures like most snails, you need enough algae growing in your tank to support them. Scavengers will do fine, if you feed them some.

 

[NewFishGuy85]

Usually it's recommended to wait until you get your brown algae (Diatom) Bloom at the final stage of the cycle. If you just put it in yesterday, your cycle hasn't really even begun yet. Have you added a source of ammonia to your tank to start the cycle? You can't just throw it in and expect it to do it on it's own.

Yeah, I've been adding 5 drops of ammonia to the tank starting today.

 

[Denisk]

If you’re adding ammonia and you don’t get any reading of ammonia or nitrite, you should be fine on adding a cuc. I would start with a small one and see how it does. Goodluck!

 

[NewFishGuy85]

Awesome! Thanks!