Yay! It's cycled!

[neddis]

Well, my 5G nano is finally cycled. I have cycled many freshwater tanks, but this was a different experience. It took a lot longer than fresh, but it also had ammonia spike, but not really any nitrite spike. Anyway, I think I am ready to add some stuff. :razz:

Question time:
1. Should I go with a cleaning crew first?
2. Would 2 or so blue leg hermits, 2 cerith snails, and 2 astrea snails be ok to add at the same time or would that be too much of a bioload to start with?
3. Do corals add a lot of bioload? Could I add a coral at this point or would that be too much?

I think for the fishie inhabitants I want a percula clown and a pair of neon gobies.

4. What do you all think about them for this size tank?(added over a span of several months, of course)
5. Along the same lines, are there any anemonies that a clown will choose as a host that will fit in a 5G tank?
6. Would a pacific cleaner shrimp be able to fit in there too, or am I too ambitious about this little 5 gallon thinger?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[islandcreation]

Neddis,

How long was your tank cycling for? If the cycling period is safe atleast 4 weeks I'd add a clean up crew and wait a week, test parameters again then add corals, then wait a week then add fish. Simple advice just to be safe :mrgreen:

 

[neddis]

It took 4 weeks. My freshwater tanks all take 3 weeks or less. I even got an established sand bed from someone, and cured live rock from two someones. Ammonia and nitrite are at 0 now and nitrate is low (I don't remember what though). The LFS guy that tested the water told me it was ok to add fish and stuff with the ammonia at .25ppm. He absolutely would not listen when I said that means it's not done cycling yet. He tried to tell me that all the tanks at the store had that much ammonia in them. I wanted to kick him in the knee.

This is different than freshwater. I guess just a learning curve like with everything else. Thanks for the advice!

 

[TimSchmidt]

Three fish may be pushing the limit on the 5g....just go slow and watch for changes. I'm sure many people have done it, just let your tank adjust to each new inhabitant before adding more.

The anemone thing may be a bit overambitious...JMHO.