[unclejed]

Hello everyone. I thought I would write concerning a trend I see from those who are just starting out or upgrading to larger tanks. I have read here and in the other forum I am a member of that when the tank has gone through the initial cycle of say 4-6 weeks, everyone starts loading up the tank believing everything is o.k. and ready to do so. I disagree.
My advice is to let your tank "season" as I call it and find it's balance. This may sound strange at first but it isn't really. When your tank cycles it then needs time to keep building a solid foundation of bacteria and all the minuscule creatures that live in the live rock. I refer to this as the tank becoming "established". After the addition of the clean up crew and your starter fish (1-2 for up to 150 gal. and 3-4 for larger tanks) I believe you should let the tank run like that for at least 3-4 months. I know, I know, we all want to get it going but you must be patient. Letting the tank get established will insure success down the road.
During this "patience time" get in good habits of making sure the parameters are "steady" and not fluctuating and allow the tank to mature. One other practice I have never believed in is weekly water changes. I understand many may disagree, however, the less stress you put on the tank the better. Once a month, or if you must, once every 3 weeks is adequate.
When the inhabitants of the tank can relax and get into their own groove for a month or so I believe they are more at ease and content. If I didn't have to do a water change I wouldn't but unfortunately in a closed system, even with all the advancements; overflows, sumps, refugiums and skimmers we do have to "change out" some water.
Well, that is my opinion on this, feel free to comment and remember we are all in this together!

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