Is my reef tank good to go?

[BristleWormHater]

I set it up Tuesday this week with live rock + live sand straight from a lfs. Also dosed microbacter7 and dr.tim's one and only. Water test shows no ammonia but also low/no nitrates. I was told by one lfs to dose ammonia to cycle, but my other lfs said its time to add a hardy fish like a clownfish. I also have some hitchhiker feather dusters (17 small ones) that I would like to keep alive and I was told dosing ammonia will kill them. What do I do? Please help

 

[SilverRanger]

Using fish to cycle is kinda old school and raises the question of whether it’s ok to subject a hardy fish to fluctuating and possibly fatal ammonia levels. I would use Prime or AmGuard daily if you choose a fish cycle to detoxify the ammonia.

 

[KrisReef]

Were the feather dusters living on the rock you bought? If yes, then the tank is probably ok to add a fish to.

I don't think low dosages of ammonia will kill feather dusters, but you don't need to add any unless you want to test that theory? The presence of live rock and sand in the tank indicates that they have the bacteria needed to support a fish. The addition of MB7 and DR Tims reinforces that notion, and the presence of feather dusters suggests that it might even be reasonably diverse life rock.

Where did this live rock come from? I know it came from the store but where did they get it, how long have they had it and when was the last time there were fishes swimming with it? Live rock can easily bring Ich and Bristle worms and if you want to wait 60 days or so before you add fish it wouldn't hurt the live rock at all but it might make fish additions go better.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Using fish to cycle is kinda old school and raises the question of whether it’s ok to subject a hardy fish to fluctuating and possibly fatal ammonia levels. I would use Prime or AmGuard daily if you choose a fish cycle to detoxify the ammonia.

Were the feather dusters living on the rock you bought? If yes, then the tank is probably ok to add a fish to.

I don't think low dosages of ammonia will kill feather dusters, but you don't need to add any unless you want to test that theory? The presence of live rock and sand in the tank indicates that they have the bacteria needed to support a fish. The addition of MB7 and DR Tims reinforces that notion, and the presence of feather dusters suggests that it might even be reasonably diverse life rock.

Where did this live rock come from? I know it came from the store but where did they get it, how long have they had it and when was the last time there were fishes swimming with it? Live rock can easily bring Ich and Bristle worms and if you want to wait 60 days or so before you add fish it wouldn't hurt the live rock at all but it might make fish additions go better.

@SilverRanger Ty for input I just wanted to make it clear there is no fish yet
@KrisReef I have no clue where they bought it, but it was they same rock they sell dry, I think maybe they just grab some dry rock and cure it in the tub they have. In the store they had they live rock sitting in a tub maybe 300 gallons or more. With multiple fish and inverts, personally I saw a large puffer/porcupine fish of some kind, as well as a brittle star.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

If this is actually live rock and have feather duster attached, it should be good to go with a clown or blue green chromis. It would not be cycling a tank old school. Check for nitrates which would indicate everything is working as it should. I personally would do the chromis, mine is very cool and way better than my clown. As stated above my be good to wait . Also gives you a chance to see if there's any other hitch hiker's

 

[KrisReef]

So, I would not be overly concerned that a fish could survive, but as noted it may suffer depending on the quality of the wet rock they sold you. That it had fish in with it means that you may have (likely did) bring home Ich.

I would be more concerned about new fish getting sick in a new tank than about the state of the cycle. IF you are going to add fish, don't add a bunch in short order. Add one and wait a month to see how it fares.

Be careful about advice sales persons at LFS's give regarding fish purchases. Do you own research before you buy any fishes. GL.

 

[BristleWormHater]

If this is actually live rock and have feather duster attached, it should be good to go with a clown or blue green chromis. It would not be cycling a tank old school. Check for nitrates which would indicate everything is working as it should. I personally would do the chromis, mine is very cool and way better than my clown. As stated above my be good to wait . Also gives you a chance to see if there's any other hitch hiker's

thanks also just wanted to bring up the fact there has been more hitchhikers asterina starfish and a fireworm(I removed him)

 

[BristleWormHater]

So, I would not be overly concerned that a fish could survive, but as noted it may suffer depending on the quality of the wet rock they sold you. That it had fish in with it means that you may have (likely did) bring home Ich.

I would be more concerned about new fish getting sick in a new tank than about the state of the cycle. IF you are going to add fish, don't add a bunch in short order. Add one and wait a month to see how it fares.

Be careful about advice sales persons at LFS's give regarding fish purchases. Do you own research before you buy any fishes. GL.

ok thank you

 

[Cichlid Dad]

thanks also just wanted to bring up the fact there has been more hitchhikers asterina starfish and a fireworm(I removed him)

I have Tampa Bay Salt Water Sand and rock. I'm still finding cool hitch hikers almost a year later.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I have Tampa Bay Salt Water Sand and rock. I'm still finding cool hitch hikers almost a year later.

Hey wanted to ask if a chromis would be fine in a 25 gallon I've been told they need 30-35 my 25 is longer than normal though: it's 24.5 inches long

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Hey wanted to ask if a chromis would be fine in a 25 gallon I've been told they need 30-35 my 25 is longer than normal though: it's 24.5 inches long

That I don't know