bio cube 8

[TEXASFIST210]

just set it up yesterday morning.
when can i start putting in fish and coral?

[swjim]

Do you have test kits for Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite? If so, what are your readings?

Do you have any live rock? If so, where did you get it - from an established tank, mail order, ?

Your tank needs to be cycled. If you're using fully cured liverock from an established tank and it didn't spend much time being moved from one tank to the other it may not require much time at all. If you're starting with uncured liverock then there may be a lot of die off and the ammonia levels could end up killing anything you put in there right now and it could take a few weeks. Something to keep in mind is that patience really does pay off in this hobby - only bad things happen fast. Take this time to read up on the fish or corals you would like to keep and make sure that your tank meets their requirements and that they're compatible with each other.

When your test levels show that your tank is cycled add things slowly, the tank will need to adapt to the bio load of adding a fish. Test again after adding your fish then once things balance out then add your next fish or coral. An 8 gallon system is pretty small and can be quite fragile, definitely be mindful of that as you make changes to the tank.

[ErikH]

Wait two months. You are going to find that an 8g is a very hard 1st tank. I tell people to buy as big as they can afford. :)

[Big_Pun]

scorpino is right my pico was the hardest and longest to cycle, things happen fast and you gotta keep on top of it, what do you have in there, sand rock?? and be ready its goin to look bad before it gets better but if you wait take it slow its all worth it and you wont burn out

[ShAgMaN]

My 8 gal. is the hardest tank I've owned...things happen TOO FAST. That said, I'd still put an econo fish in there - 1 to start. Additionally, a decent piece of cured live rock and some sand. Don't dose anything, check your levels frequently, and do small water changes often. But thats just my opinion.

[ShAgMaN]

Oh, as for coral and additional fish, I would wait a couple months for the cycling to complete.

[TEXASFIST210]

everything sounds good thanks for all the help

[Big_Pun]

get rocks and sand in it and when it starts to turn ugly you know your on the right path, keep up with water changes small one gallon changes a week, and keep up with toping off, water evaps fast in the lil cubes