How long to wait, and who is first?

[Harry_Y]

I'm working on my 75 Gal Fowler.

I had planned to only put the first batch (40 Lbs) of live rock in that was cured (sniff tested, and smelled ocean fresh).
Instead I put in the the cured 40lbs and 22 lbs mostly uncured (as it only sat in the cure can for 2 days). I had read that you can cycle with live rock.

So It's all in the tank (up on lifts) and all the pumps and heaters are up, I have a Magnum 250 H.O.T. filter running as well.

As I understand it The lights should stay off to keep any algae blooms down.

So now it should just be playing the waiting game, to let thing cycle.
I would figure by the end of the month things should be getting underway.

When should the lights come on for the normal day cycle?

When can I add a clean up crew? And what should they be? Snails, shrimp????

I don't like hermit crabs since I've had them eat anemone before, but if needed I can give them away later.

Thank you

[toniell]

Are you testing your water if not you had better grab a amonia test kit and a nitrate kit once both of these are at zero then add maybe 20 cerith snails,20 truchus and maybe a emerald crab.

[Harry_Y]

Yes I'm testing. I figure I'm nowhere ready yet, although I did find a hitchhiker today.

[leveldrummer]

you can turn your lights on now if you like, algae blooms are a natural part of the cycle, and they will go away. if you supress them, they will just come later once you start your lights up, and they are a good indication that your getting towards the end of your cycling time. as for a clean up crew, that really depends on what type of fish your putting in your fowlr, maybe people use fish only tanks to keep the type of species that are not reef safe, and those fish usually either eat coral, or clean up crews,

[Harry_Y]

So if it blooms I should just let it go?

And when all the levels go to 0 I can start to slowly add fish correct?

So far I have on my list, A clown, Blue Tang, Gobies look interesting.

I would like to add a Dwarf Lion, I had one with a clown damsels and a tang before (20 yrs ago) and they all got along.

I'd like an anemone as some point when the tank gets stable,
it will probably be more of a Fish and Invertebrates setup, Possibly some corals (soft ones).

I'm still building the list, as I see things that interest me and that will get along.

Thanks for the help!

PS: I read and read and still feel like I have a million questions

[Harry_Y]

Well the lights are up and the levels are still all at 0

I'm just waiting for it to get up and going.

I have found a snail and a feather-duster worm who hitched in along with the live rock.

I also have something in there that looks like tiny mushrooms that are vivid orange in
the center of them (very visible with just the actinic blue lights on) look like tiny LEDs

So it is cool to just look in and see what is new today.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by Harry_Y

Fowler.

What's the e??????earth???

[Harry_Y]

Fowler = Fish Only With Live Edible Rock



Or just a Typo