cleanup crew

[reefworried124]

My tank has been up for only about 6 days, but I have already noticed alot of algae growth and have a little bit of that brown diatom stuff. When is it okay for me to get a cleanup crew, and for my 40 gallon (specs are below), what and how many of each should I get?

[Cosine]

I'd give it a little while. You'll have some algae blooms that will wipe themselves out. Just watch your levels and when they start to settle then start adding critters!

time to test that patience!
goodluck

[ballvice]

IMHO...you should buy a test kit and watch for the following to happen...

I am guessing that Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates are at -0-. But from previous posts, I would say no.

So...if this is true...you want to get Ammonia to go up...UNCURED LR is the best thing to do to get this going....(didn't you tell me that you have Choroline Algea growing?).

If its not...then look and ensure that Ammonia is 0, NitItes are 0, and you should have SOME Nitrates (probably around 5ppm). Once you have this...ensure your PH is roughly 8.0-8.4 and ensure your Specific Gravity is around 1.024ish.

I watched my bio's on my tank EVERY day after the first two weeks to keep an eye on the cycle. Once the Nitrites peaked, everything else seemed to go real quick. With a tank your size, I'd start watching your bio's right away.

I waited about 3 days after the full cycle before adding any type of clean-up crew. So far, so good....no major deaths yet.

Frank