Noob question about the cycle

Yes, once your cycle is done you should be ok to start with a fish or two then give it at least a week or so to let the system adjust.

 

defdad , Id like to expand on you post , because its a great point

bacteria and waste are a symbiotic relationship - you can only have as much bacteria as there is nutrients to support it

I totall respect the feelings and views of those that use the fishless cycle, cycle with live rock or cycle with a prawn etc and fully understand their reasons and motives for doing this
I also know for a fact that this method is effective

one drawback is simply this

if you have 1 x damsel you will have 1 x damsels waste and consequently enough bacteria to process the waste of 1 x damsel

when you add a second fish , there is a breif period of adjustment, but nothing like the spikes you got on initial cycle - whilst the bacteria increases in order to process the additional waste

with the non live fish method - ? how much bacteria did the prawn create?
how does that rate to an ability to process the wastes of the 1st fish later introduced?

Im not saying use the Damsel or the Chromis
Im just saying if you do choose the fishless cycle, its wise to make sure your 1st fish introduction is not one of the more sensitive species , just in case

Steve

 

speaking of sensitive species, I was considering adding a shrimp as my first guinie pig, then if all is well after a week or 2 a clownfish. I prefer not to but any animal I don't plan on keeping in the tank long term. Do invertabates provide enough waste to be the starter animal?

 

I started with a lot of live rock(partially cured) and my ammonia and nitrite were nearly off the charts during the cycle so I figured it must have produced a lot of bacteria.

K+ Steve, you expanded on that quite well.

 

You won't get much from a live shrimp. I started with my 2 clowns and that have been happy and healthy.