Cycling w/Shrimp

[recoiljpr]

I would try to get your alk up a little more (I am assuming 4.5 is dKH)? If so, with an alk that low, your ph is going to swing like crazy. I'd get some 2 part supplement and just dose a few ML a day (5 ml or so) of the alk part till your closer to 8-10.

As to a cleaning crew, for a biocube nerite, cerith and nassarius are good snails for the tank and won't get really large. I'm also a fan of a few blue legged hermits as long as you have some extra shells for them to go to.

Do you have any algae or diatoms growing in your tank yet?

[blane1983]

i have some green algae and not sure about diatoms? how many snails and crabs should i get? what about shrimp?

[recoiljpr]

I would hold off on the shrimp, they tend to be not as hardy to new tanks. Id wait another month or two on them.

As for snails, once your alk is stabalized, i'd go to start with 5 Caribbean Nerites, 2 small nassarius and 3 crabs. I'd then wait and see how well they keep everything maintained. If after a few weeks you think you still need to add, i'd add the cerith snails. Having different types of cleanup crew enables you to have good coverage.

[Kyle46N]

Like someone already asked....what did you start with in your tank? Live Rock? Live sand? This can keep your tank from having a full cycle.