Nitrogen cycling
Can I add coral after cycle?
Coral can first be added to an aquarium when it has finished its Nitrogen Cycle, and the various algae blooms have passed
. Adequate lighting, regular maintenance, frequent water changes, and stable water parameters will then help the coral grow.
Does tank need to be cycled for coral?
It is not necessary to cycle your reef tank before adding corals
. Corals have a low bioload and do not produce a lot of ammonia. However, it is better to cycle your tank first because the water parameters will be more stable. Stable water conditions are essential to grow corals.
How long do you have to wait to add SPS coral?
Basically about
3-4 weeks
after starting the tank with dead rock.
How do I know when my reef tank is cycled?
You will see ammonia is present for the first few weeks and then finally it will go away and start reading zero.
Once you have a zero ammonia reading for 2-3 consecutive weeks
, the tank is cycled and ready for more fish and other animals.
How do I start adding corals?
How do I add corals to my tank?
Where should I put corals in my tank?
What do I add first to my saltwater tank?
Soft corals
, in particular, leather corals are the best choice for a new tank. After adding your first leather corals you can also add mushroom anemones. This includes mushrooms like Ricordea, Rhodactis, and Discosoma. Mushroom grow rather quickly and spread out into large fleshy discs.
Do corals add to Bioload?
No, corals don't add to the bioload
.
How long should I cycle my reef tank?
Cycling your aquarium can take anywhere from
2-6 weeks
, depending on your setup, and how proactive you are in helping the process along the way.
What's the easiest coral to keep?
| Name Features | Mushroom Coral Soft Coral All Placements | Toadstool Leather Coral Soft Coral Middle to Top Placement | Hammer Coral LPS Bottom to Middle Placement | Blasto Coral Bottom to Middle |
|---|
When can I add fish to my saltwater tank?
A: Make sure all of the equipment has been running successfully for several days prior to adding any fish. Your temperature should not be fluctuating, and the salinity should be stable. We would recommend waiting
a minimum of three days, but preferably seven days
, to be sure all is stable and safe for the first fish.
How often can you add corals?
Well-Known Member. I usually try to stay
every 6 weeks to a few months
. I have found reward lately in seeing things grow out rather than adding so much new. It also makes me a little nervous, even with a coral QT tank, that any new addition might bring unexpected problems.
When can you add an anemone to a tank?
However, it is important to wait
6 months to a year
before adding a sea anemone to your tank! When you start your aquarium you add rock, sand, and water. Then your fish tank needs to go through a Nitrogen Cycle before adding fish and coral.
Do nitrates mean tank is cycled?
When nitrates are being produced and ammonia and nitrite levels are zero, your tank is fully cycled
and your biological filter is fully functioning (from 2-6 weeks). In low levels, nitrates are not highly toxic to fish.
Can you use clownfish to cycle a tank?
Option 1: With Fish
One or two small fish is all you will need for most small to medium-sized tanks.
Many people prefer to use damsels, chromis, or clownfish because they are readily available, hardy, and cheap
.
Can a saltwater tank cycle in 2 weeks?
Cycling a saltwater tank is an essential step in keeping a tank at its best, but when you're pressed for time and need a quick way to cycle your tank, you can't help but wonder if it's even possible.
It usually takes anywhere from two weeks to two months for a tank to become fully cycled
.
How many corals should I start with?
Should I start with
2-3 corals at once
or go all the way to about say 20-30 corals? You can add up to 40 corals at once. Corals don't add much pollution to your tank and therefore have a low bio-load. Monitor the water parameters when adding a lot of coral at once: it should remain stable.
Should you add fish or corals first?
For corals vs. fish, it comes down to which is more sensitive.
Do the hardiest first, then slowly add the more sensitive animals over a couple months
(being wary of adding any overly aggressive fish early).
Will coral attach itself to rock?
Yes it will but it will take a long time
. Depends on the coral. Leathers, mushrooms, zoanthids, and lots of other soft corals will attach on their own within days to weeks. LPS corals will attach to rocks on their own…
Can you have too many corals in a tank?
yes, there can be too many corals in a tank
. be aware, that many of the TOTM you see, the corals are well spaced out. (i.e not jam packed), and they eventually grow into eachother giving it a full look.
How do you tell if your corals are happy?
One of the best signs when buying a healthy LPS coral frag is that
the polyp (or head) looks fully inflated, and bouncy with a gentle motion in the water flow
. Avoid frags where some of the skeleton is showing or the coral tissue looks to be melting or rotting away.
What are the fastest growing corals?
Bird's Nest corals
are one of the fastest-growing SPS corals. They mostly grow upwards and despite there being different species out there, they typically all grow similarly. Their branches are thin, which aids speedy growth, but also means they are fragile.
