New Nemos

Just got a couple of new tank bred clownfish today which I put in my newly setup QT. I also have a small piece of LR and some PVC T's for the fish to eventually hide in. I was told by my LFS to not do any water changes until the fish cycle the tank...meaning the ammonia will spike and then drop?
It is a 10 gallon tank with a heater, Aqua Clear 20 filter w/sponge/carbon/bio-media. On top I put a lid with the side of the top exposed.

 

yeah usually you dont change the water on a cycling tank at first so it can build up bacteria and nutrients and what not into the water to become stable. after a few weeks, you could probably do 20% tops go slow on a new tank, also if you have an existing tank, you can always use water directly from it, to have the tank ready right away provided the filter is established.

 

Doing a water change seems the common sense thing to do in a uncycled 10 gallon tank with 2 new clown fish.

Nothing wrong with doing small w/c in any uncycled small tank with fish in it already. Seems kind of silly to stress or sacrifice the clowns to possiblyhave a faster cycle. The tank will cycle with water changes regardless and IMO be a more stable environment for the clowns.

 

You could also use prime to insure the amonia does not become toxic to them.

 

+1. I would also recommend Microbacter 7 or Dr. Tim's products as well to help cycle the tank. One question though, was this tank already set up and cycled, or did you set it up when you bought the clowns? The only reason that I ask is because you should never cycle a tank with fish.

 

Thanks for the responses. No the tank has not been cycled before. My reputable LFS suggested cycling the tank with the clowns since they are hardy and such, however I do agree on doing some small water changes and possibly using Prime if the need arises.
I do not want the poor little clowns to suffer any more than they have to and would like to do this the safest and surest way possible.

 

What you should have done was set the filter up on your existing tank for a couple of weeks and then install it on your QT. It would have cycled much faster and been much easier on the fish. I would also be very cautious using prime. Removing the ammonia is counterproductive to the cycle and the reason we don't use fish to do it.

 

+1. You don't really want to use Prime when cycling a tank. You want to use a product that help you build up your bacteria culture if you are wanting to cycle faster. Remember as well, that the LFS is out to make money for the most part. I would strongly recommend asking questions here after getting advice from your LFS. ;D

 

I like to use my common sense as well and others smart opinions

 

Might as well monitor them and so some minor water changes over the next 2-3 weeks and use something else for cycling. Correct me if I'm wrong but live rock does not cycle a tank?