Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

grneyes3x · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 02:49 PM

Since I am new to salt water I have made every mistake that can be made. I listened to my lfs and added fish before cycle complete. They told me that I had to add fish so the tank would clcle. I know this to be true with fresh water. So dummy me listened. I bought to clowns and a cleaner shrimp. They looked like they were doing well. I went to a different lfs here. This place was amazing. First walked in and saw a 600+ tank that took your breath away. I gave them a water sample and told them what I have done and what was in the tank. They all freaked out. My levels were so high that they couldnt believe that the fish were alive. They were so nice to me that they have taken my fish and are making them better. Poor things couldnt have beared that I killed them. Please dont make same mistake as me be patient all you need to go through the cycle is live rock dont have to have fish to get tank to cycle. I am sure that I will still make many more mistakes but thanks to this forum hopefully not as many.

4G1v3N · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 10:58 PM

Yeah that's too bad that the LFS just want to sell you things without proper steps. thats a great thing you found that LFS that too your fish to make them better. thats the kind of service that will keep you coming back! good luck with your up coming tank!

Brians125 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-15-2007, 08:44 PM

I guess im not suprised good old lfs sucker's every one in....But we all learn the hard way for some reason sorry to hear you got gutted like that..
G/L with your tank
Brian

c-c · #4 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 02:08 PM

Probably the same type of store told me to buy cheap damesels to cycle my new tank, three years ago. That is cruelty to animals. Wondering how your tank is maturing? Have you had any additions yet?
c-c

ACE · #5 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 04:12 PM

I thank the best place for information is right here on RB.
ACE

ericwebster · #6 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007, 12:07 AM

There are plenty of ways to cycle a tank without risking the life of a fish, if in the future you expearience another cycle (starting with a spike in ammonia) there are several other ways of dealing with it.

One of the most common things to do is frequent water changes and use a water treatment like Amquel which will reduce the toxicity of the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

When using one of these products its imperitive to make sure that the water has lots of oxygen in it, use a skimmer and or a airpump.

And remember just because the tank cycles once that does not mean it will never cycle again. Anytime you increase the bioload in a tank you need to give it time to re-cycle. Thats why its always advised to add or remove things from a tank slowly.

It's a delicate balance that you need to resepct!!

Good luck.

crazygator · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-c

Probably the same type of store told me to buy cheap damesels to cycle my new tank, three years ago. That is cruelty to animals. Wondering how your tank is maturing? Have you had any additions yet?
c-c

thank-you i have had a long battle here in ST.LOUIS trying to get the lfs to not recomend this method and my friends store will not sell any fish or corals without a water sample to new customers. i have no problems fishing, and hunting but if you intend to make these a pet then treat them as such.

grneyes3x · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2007, 10:11 PM

I have had the fish back for about a month now. Fish are doing great. The whole tank is doing great. I have 2 clowns 2cleaner shrimp 2 diamond gobies(which I love) snails and crabs. The lfs that took in my fish even gave me my first coral. yellow polups and asst. of zoas they are also doing great.