New 55 gal Tank - when to add clean up crew

[millstreetzoo]

I just set up a new 55 gal reef tank. I added the water on 2/20, 60 lbs of live sand on 2/21, 40 lbs of cured live rock on 2/24 and 20 more lbs of live sand on 2/27. I have an AquaC Remora Pro protein skimmer, Aqua Clear 110 carbon filter, 2 heaters and a Current Sunpod lighting system. The salinity measures 1.23, PH is 8.2, Ammonia and Nitrite are 0 and Nitrate is 5. The rock has lots of coralline algae on it. I notice that green and brown algae are beginning to grow on the surface of the skimmer pump and elsewhere. When should I see a spike in Ammonia or Nitite? When should I begin to add a clean-up crew? At what point will it be safe to add a fish or two to test the peramiters of the tank? You wisdom is highly appreciated.

 

[jdeets]

If your LR was well-cured, you may never see an ammonia spike. The two times I've started a tank I have used well-cured LR and never saw an ammonia spike.

If you have nitrates, then your tank may have already cycled, too.

I would continue to test for the next few days and see if you get detect any. If not, then your tank is probably already cycled.

As far as adding a cleanup crew--add them as you need them. Realize that they will eat algae and waste created by other things in the tank. Thus, you don't want to overstock your cleanup crew--if your tank is too "clean" they won't get enough to eat. At this point I'd recomnend adding a few snails (I like astreas and ceriths).

At this point you may get by with a small hardy fish or two as well. I'd go for something small and see how it does. Bicolor chromis is relatively hardy and one of the more docile damsel family fishes; I'm sure you'll get other recommendations as well.

Just start slow, every time your bioload increases, it takes a while for your tank to adjust. Good luck!

 

[millstreetzoo]

Thanks for the reply jdeets! This is by far the best site I have found for information! I was considering the Blue-Green Chromis (2) or the Long Finned Fairy Wrasse (1 male and 2 females). Any experience with the Fairy Wrasses?

 

[millstreetzoo]

Thanks for the reply jdeets! This is by far the best site I have found for information! I was considering the Blue-Green Chromis (2) or the Long Finned Fairy Wrasse (1 male and 2 females). Any experience with the Fairy Wrasses?

 

[jdeets]

I have had a few of them, I currently have one; I would probably start with the chromis first.