Ready for fish?

So my cycle is complete or almost complete. Current levels....

PH 8.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5-10
Salinity 1.024

With the Nitrates a little elevated am I still ok, or should I give it a few more weeks? It's been about a week with those levels.

There is nothing in the tank, other than live/dry rock. I have 2 power heads, and the return line from the sump moving water. The setup is a 29G with a 10G sump. The sump currently only has the return pump and a heater in it. I have a skimmer on the way and should be here next week. I still want to do a 5-10 Gallon water change before adding any fish. The lighting is the standard lighting in the hood that came with the aquarium. I was told for FOWLR I wouldn't need anymore than that. I also want to add a CUC, a shrimp or 2, and some emerald crabs to the mix, do any of these require extra lighting. I am planning on doing LED lighting, but was going to let the tank get established for a few months, then add the lighting and start looking at corals.

Thoughts?

 

by a couple damsels or clowns. that is about the same time i usually fill my tank with the hardy fish about this time. but dont put anything in that you will regret because they are a pain in the butt to get out.

 

You should be ready for a fish imo. Shortly after get that cuc. you dont need lighting for cuc, they don't photosynthesize, obviously. they feed on solid foods.

 

I am planning on picking up 2 Clowns. My daughter wants "Nemo" which is why we have a saltwater tank in the first place. So I am going to start with the Clowns, then wait a few months before adding anything else other than the CUC.

Will adding a CUC, a shrimp or 2 and a crab or 2 cause any issues? As in if I add them all in a short period of time?

Thanks

 

it shouldnt add any problems, however the problem with all these hardy fish is that they all once established b ecome aggressive. so youll have to deal with that later on when adding more fish. but if your in it for the clowns i think you should be fine with that. cross that bridge when it comes.

 

Hope she doesnt try and convince you to get Dori in there... another case where that movie wreaks havoc on this hobby. Nemo will be fine however.

There shouldnt be any issues, as long as you keep an eye on your tank parameters, and change the water when needed. you will be fine. If you have a skimmer, it will help with those additions greatly.

 

ive heard that skimmers actually tend to do more harm than good? i have no skimmers on my tanks and my tanks thrive. i dont think anything though can replace a good sump or fuge and weekly water changes.

 

Im gonna disagree with that, skimmers take out floating particulates in the water like poop, left over food, any other waste created by fish, coral, snails, etc. I do agree that its not necessary. Fuge and weekly water changes will work but adding that skimmer in there isnt going to hurt you, it should help you if anything. Its more of a shoulder to lean on for those who arent really familiar with what is happening in their tanks. It does the work for them.

It may work for you, not running one, but it may not for Joe Shmoe. Ive never heard someone say that a skimmer harmed their tank. Maybe if one was running on it, and broke. I can see that. skimmers are not necessary by any means, but they are very beneficial.

 

I've been reefing for 2+yrs. Not long compared to some but still long enough to have never heard of skimmers doing more harm then good. Can you share where your info came from? I'd be interested to read more on the subject

 

that info actually came from several people on other forums such as, reefsanctuary, reeffrontiers, and i believei also saw it mentioned on here. i think the point is that a skimmer doesnt do much that any other filter does.