Is it safe to add Coral

[rookie reefer]

After about 5 weeks my tank was cyrstal clear and then it got all cloudy. Is this an amonia spike? And is it safe to add a mushroom coral to it. oh It has been about half aweek since the coudyness and now my tank is clear again.

[deep water]

i would run tests on amon. nitrite, nitrate. is there anything alive in the tank yet to help it cycle???

[rookie reefer]

there is live rock that has red caroline algae on it and it is spreading to my other rocks in the tank.

[deep water]

do you have test kits to check levels????

[rookie reefer]

i'm getting some tomorrow (hopefully)

[deep water]

i wouldn't add any corals till i test the waters. i usually use a damsel or two depending on the tank size to help cycle the tank. it is hard to give you a good answer on a guess without any facts.

[rookie reefer]

ok well thanks anyway

[Harry_Y]

Originally Posted by deep water

i....... i usually use a damsel or two depending on the tank size to help cycle the tank. ......

I have heard of some using mollys, freshwater acclimated to SW.
(actually I think Molys are brackish)

They may not be as pretty as Damsels, but not as mean either.

[WilyGuy]

I always start with a Hermit, then a Snail (this is after my cycling time).

You can always add a single Zoa Polyp as well. Make sure you acclimate them all.

[toastdude]

My nano that I set up in december started getting cloudy like that about once a week after my cycle completed. It did that for about a month but when I tested all my levels were 0. I haven't added anything to the tank yet but thats due to other problems we have going on.

[Loverotties]

Once you test all the parameters and they are ok I'd still waite a couple weeks.

[reginanmc]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Once you test all the parameters and they are ok I'd still waite a couple weeks.

agreed, set your tank up for success, don't rush.

[Big B]

Once you are ready to add things, take it slow. Even when your tank has cycled, the bioload will not be built up. Add 1 or 2 things and you may get another cycle.

[jenajet]

Yep tests are a must. The cloudy water may be a bacteria bloom....another part of the cycle. You do not need to add live fish to help cycle. Dead raw shrimp works great.

[rookie reefer]

Originally Posted by Harry_Y

I have heard of some using mollys, freshwater acclimated to SW.
(actually I think Molys are brackish)

They may not be as pretty as Damsels, but not as mean either.

i tried to do this and they died in a day.