Cycling New Tank

[recoiljpr]

Everyone is entitled to disagree.

Of course we do, that's what makes life interesting! I was choosing my words carefully because I do love to learn and find other viewpoints, even if I do happen to disagree with them. So please understand i'm not trying to pick a fight, etc I do enjoy discussion.

The fact is that biological cycling is what determines when you can add inhabitants, not algae or diatom production.

There are countless different #'s of microscopic life that live on our tanks. Diatoms, algae are but one part of it (just like nitrifiying bacteria are just one part). But, they are good pointers in a cycle to show systemic maturity IMO. Since diatoms and algae are higher life forms then bacteria, that usually tells me the bacterial load on the system is in healthy check. Since we cant see the bacteria, the diatoms and algae give us good visual indicators of the health of the system.

Everytime you add animals to a closed system you will increase ammonia production, the reason you go slow is to keep the ammomia peaks very small so that the beneficial bacteria have time to catch up each time with the increase in bioload.

Agreed. Thats why I am supporting adding shrimp. That will get the bacteria ready so that when the first fish is introduced, it's already populated in large enough numbers to not spike the system. That way you don't stress the fish out with high ammonia.

Blane, you should follow advice that you feel is sound and fits comfortably with your plans, most of them will get you to the same stage at some point, some will just prolong your ability to add fish.

My only suggestion is Marine fishkeeping is part art, part science. You have 30+ years of experience to fall back on. People like Blane are just starting out. They don't have a feel for their tanks yet. It's not as easy for someone new to shoot from the hip on a system. Even people with loads of experience also get into binds from time to time.

While i've only had 3 different SW tanks, i've been studying marine environments since the mid 90's. I've also assisted research for the effects of saliinity on brown shrimp in the Laguna Madre, and i've taken my share of biochem, etc (shudder). Even with that under my belt, I have messed up quite a few times, and I will mess up even more. That's why I love learning from everyone, those with 2 years experience, to those with 50 years. Two people can do the same things to two systems and get totally different outcomes. Anything anyone says can only ever be a guide, since you the reefkeeper are the one actually doing it.

That being said, the slow road is the safest road in this hobby. It stops people fromhaving Ammonia, nitrite problems that could have been avoided by going slow.