When best time to add inverts?

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by GuitarMan89, Apr 11, 2008.

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  1. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    I was just wondering when is the best time to add inverts, particularly hermit crabs and snails to help with algae. Should I add them after cycling or wait for algae to develop? or even once algae appears during cycling? thanks for your help
     
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  3. Stingray

    Stingray Blue Ringed Angel

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    Has i understand wait till the cycle has finished,or you run the risk of the live stock dieing due to raised nitrate levels, if your refering to anemones as inverts then your looking at about 6-8months after cycle and you need a reasonable amount of lighting t5 or mh, i'm still learning myself and my tanks only been cycleing for 3 weeks, will be adding clean up crew when cycle ends keep an eye on those water parameters, when they come back down to 0.ppm...then would be a good time to start adding live stock...
     
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  4. paulg

    paulg Feather Duster

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    I would add them after the cycle, start with snails, crabs first and not to many at once.
     
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  5. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    thanks for the advice
     
  6. Froc3

    Froc3 Fire Goby

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    Yeah, add slowly to ensure that everything gets enough to eat, however, if you started with LR you should be ok. Inverts can starve too :p

    Evan.
     
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  7. target001

    target001 Skunk Shrimp

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    i had 4 snails in my tank from begining to end of the cycle and still alive in my tank
     
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  9. nemo1991

    nemo1991 Millepora

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    i adde them about a week after the cycle, just so that i knew they wouldnt die off because there would e enough food, also dont buy all at once, for my 55 i started with 10 astrea and 10 hermits, and added 5 more of each after like a month or more, and just slowly built it up.
     
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  10. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    thanks guys for your help, ive read a bunch of different things and its good to hear from people with actual experience. Thanks