Fish while cycling?????

I looked and lots of people say to put a couple of fish in the tank while it cycles is that a good idea? I thought you just let it go for sometime with no live stock. Now Im not sure if its being done right so help me here please.

 

I would not put any fish in there...no need and it is bad for the fish.

You should be able to cycle with just live rock...or some people just put a couple of shrimp in the tank (the ones you eat) and let them rot. That works as well.

 

How long has you new investment been up and running..?? Along with tank size and kind of filteration...??

 

You will get answers from both sides. Personally I say no because 99% of the time people put damsels in when they cycle. The problem I have with that is that damsels get mean and soon any new fish you try to add tend to get harassed by the damsels. Most saltwater fish only harass like-species, but not damsels.

I speak from my own experience, though. I had to completely dismantle my 46 gallon years ago because a damsel I had in there for a couple years just went to town on my new fish. Even as I was taking out all the rocks this thing was attacking the new fish in between hiding from me!! It was completely ridiculous, and the new fish was a different species entirely (a manderin, which of course I had no business adding to a 46 gallon anyways)!

 

5 hours it is 40 gallons with Eheim pro2 canister filter, 20lbs araga live, 40lbs coral lfe with a power head.

 

Should I add some live rock and how much??

 

I would try this method .... The shrimp is already dead and put in the tank... just make sure its fresh and not frozen....

And a lil advise if this is your first tank in the salt water world your gonna need lots of PATIENCE..!!!!! Your gonna need it during durin your cycle...... And one other is don't be afraid to ask a few Questions..!!


Good Luck..!!!

P.s Live rock... some say 1lb per gal..... give or take.....

 

You need about 20-30 more lbs of Live Rock.

 

I had a 72 gallon salt tank but didnt cycle it right did fine but live rock never turned color after 1 year so will take my time with this one.

 

i personally added 2 domino damsels they cost me $3 each so there really not that expensive now they did help with the cycling by producing waste! but i woulndt recommend it because its really hard to catch them after the cycle and you do have to take them out because they are the meanest fish out there! now i have heard that if you add human urine into the tank that its the best way to start the cycle! lol