Need help with new tank

[PteroisVolitan15B]

I set my tank up on 4-26, I used 200 lbs of live rock that was cured( The water in the storage tub had good parameters) I did new sand and seeded my tank with 2 raw shrimp and a filter pad from an existing tank. On friday 5-1my ammonia was .25, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, ph 8.0. I havent tested everyday. Today my water was ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20, and ph 8.0. I use the API Master test kit, and have had my water tested at 2 LFS's with the same results. Should I have more ammonia and nitrites, or did I miss the spike and already have a quick cycle? I was under the impression by seeding the tank I should have had a quick ammonia spike as in a signifigant number. Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[GlaringToast]

I've cycled with water, sand and all that jazz from existing tanks, I've never caught the ammonia on the test kit. Only time I've ever had ammonia show up was when I very first started my tank with no seeding. You're tank should be cycled. I would do a few water changes to get the nitrates down and that's about it.

 

[Lorna]

I agree, it appears that the live rock and sponge etc held enough beneficial bacteria to consume any ammonia that appeared from the shrimp. I would do a couple quick water changes, re test for nitrates and if all is still zero then consider adding a clean up crew....let the parameters adjust for the crew.....then in a week or so think about adding fish slowly....allowing the bioload to adjust after each addition.

 

[PteroisVolitan15B]

How many hermits, and snails and what type of snails do you all suggest in a 125? Also do you think my yellow tang would be okay as the first addition after having the cuc in for a week? I've been nervous having him in this 30 for the past couple of months. Thanks for all the help and advice

 

[PteroisVolitan15B]

Almost forgot one more question. My fuge has real dark brown algae in it, is it possible to put a couple of snails in there without any problems? and how often do you all run your light on the fuge I think I may have caused all that my light has been on for the past week 24/7

 

[Lorna]

I run my fuge lights opposite the daylights to balance out the ph.

on a 125 I would estimate 1 per gallon in a mix of nassarius (if you have a sand bed) nerite, ceriths, astreas and turbos. I personally would never add hermits again, but that is a preference thing

 

[Lorna]

oh and I would wait on adding the tang......they can be aggressive and shouldn't be the first fish.....give it a week or two. better safer I think.

 

[GlaringToast]

24/7 in the fuge is too much, it will grow tons of algae and it will be stronger on the glass along with other problems.

 

[PteroisVolitan15B]

Thanks for the responses, do hermits really even do that great of a job cleaning? Also I can't find anything that tells me yes or no, but can peppermint shrimp and cleaner shrimp be kept with a sally light foot crab? I didn't keep shrimp before because of my arrow crab, but he died for some reason I had him for almost 2 yrs.

 

[GlaringToast]

Probably because he was 2 years old. Hahahaha! Arrow Crabs are really cool but at the same time very limiting. Pour a shot for your lost homie, time for new inverts! Hermits are pretty good scavengers and they stir up a little bit of the substrate. Nassarius snails are a great addition as well as trochus snails. I have a ninja star snail that is always on the glass eating algae, great cleaner, I would invest in some of them. I'll be buying more anyway.

 

[Lorna]

ninja star snail? can you give us the latin name so we can find these?

 

[GlaringToast]

Astraea phoebia - Also known as Spiny Astrea snails and ninja star snails!

 

[Lorna]

thought they must be some sort of astrea but wasn't sure.....thanks!