New tank-New Reefer

[nhlives]

So this is a pretty interesting forum - I would say fascinating. If one were really patient after cycling a new tank with LR-LS, how long might you have to wait before all of the undesirable hitchhikers would parish from starvation? In other words, don’t add any “food” until the beasties are all dead.

 

[Anonymous]

How would you define "undesirable?"

I would say that most of the beasties are good for your system. This being said, most will live on the algae and die off that occours during cycling without you adding food.

I would start adding critters when your reading stablize, and at this point begin feedings.

 

[candide]

I would say there are far more desirable, or at least interesting, than bad things on the rock. Much to my surprise, the live rock itself was perhaps the biggest source of excitement over the first 6-12 months of having a new tank. Seemed like everyday we would look at it and say "woah, what the heck is that, where did it come from?".

I wouldn't get the wrong impression from here that most of the stuff people ask to ID are bad. I think the bad things are harder to find out about, because we don't see them in the stores so much and easily know "oh, that's just a feather duster" or sponge or whatever. It's more of, is this crab really as mean as he looks? There's probably a reason you haven't seen his little evil butt at the fishstore in the past

 

[nhlives]

Thanks. That seems to be the general thinking but I thought I might probe a bit. Starting over with a marine tank after a 15 years hiatus. Much is the same but MUCH has changed.

 

[Anonymous]

I might probe a bit.

Don't poke at it too much, you'll only irritate it. :wink: