When Do I Add My Cleanup Crew !?

[sillico]

Whats up guys, I've had my tank up and running for exactly a week now. These items have been in my tank for 3-7 days now
1.) API Quick Start
2.) Bio Spira
3.) Stability (by Seachem)
4.) Fluval Foam (to capture particles and debris)

I have started my refugium but haven't completely finished it yet.
I also am adding my protein skimmer tonight, I was told to wait for a week before I put it in.

How much longer do you think I should wait until I can add my cleanup crew, 2 weeks ?!

 

[KJ]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[glb]

Whats up guys, I've had my tank up and running for exactly a week now. These items have been in my tank for 3-7 days now
1.) API Quick Start
2.) Bio Spira
3.) Stability (by Seachem)
4.) Fluval Foam (to capture particles and debris)

I have started my refugium but haven't completely finished it yet.
I also am adding my protein skimmer tonight, I was told to wait for a week before I put it in.

How much longer do you think I should wait until I can add my cleanup crew, 2 weeks ?!

You can add the cleanup crew once the cycle is over. The amount of time depends. Your cycle is done when ammonia and nitrites are zero and all you have left is nitrates. With live rock, the cycle can be relatively short. With dry rock, the cycle can take weeks or even months. The link KJ put up is a great resource. Good luck!

 

[sillico]

You can add the cleanup crew once the cycle is over. The amount of time depends. Your cycle is done when ammonia and nitrites are zero and all you have left is nitrates. With live rock, the cycle can be relatively short. With dry rock, the cycle can take weeks or even months. The link KJ put up is a great resource. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! and seriously? I watched multiple videos and was told by multiple friends/sources that the cycle for dry rock takes a shorter period of time vs live rock.

 

[glb]

Thanks for the reply! and seriously? I watched multiple videos and was told by multiple friends/sources that the cycle for dry rock takes a shorter period of time vs live rock.

If the live rock is truly live and cured (you buy it wet from the LFS and ask for these two things), the cycle will be much quicker because the beneficial bacteria is already there. Maybe your friends were talking about dry rock that came from the ocean and has dried organic matter on it. That would lengthen the cycle. Does that help?

 

[lion king]

I add my cuc as needed, no sense to just add using a calculator. If there is not enough food for them, they will die and foul your tank. I add cerith snails 1st when the rocks get covered with the brown diatoms. How many based on tank size, on a 30g I usually went with about 7. If green and heavier algae shows up, I'll add some astrea; in some cases maybe even a couple of turbos or in larger tanks I'll commonly stock turbos as well. If you are going to keep hermits or other crabs or shrimp, don't add until you are feeding fish; they will eat the uneaten food.

 

[glb]

I add my cuc as needed, no sense to just add using a calculator. If there is not enough food for them, they will die and foul your tank. I add cerith snails 1st when the rocks get covered with the brown diatoms. How many based on tank size, on a 30g I usually went with about 7. If green and heavier algae shows up, I'll add some astrea; in some cases maybe even a couple of turbos or in larger tanks I'll commonly stock turbos as well. If you are going to keep hermits or other crabs or shrimp, don't add until you are feeding fish; they will eat the uneaten food.

I agree. Most LFS will try to sell you way more cuc's than you need. Start with less because you want them to have enough food after the initial cleanup. I personally stay away from crabs now. They eat snails and coral pellet food. Right now I only have one trochus and two astraea in a 12g with no crabs or shrimp. Good luck!