When to add CUC?

Both of my tanks are nearing a month old and both have cycled. Actually, neither really spiked as both are/were stocked with fully cured LR from the previous owner.

The 42 gal has some red and green cyano and a little bit of hair. The 135 had a pretty large outbreak of hair last week, but appears to be dying pretty quick. Diatoms are pretty much gone in both...

The 42 has a couple(2) damsels, the 135 has three. 42 gal has 50+ lbs of LR and the 135 has 200-250 lbs. 135 has two fuges - 1x15 gal slow flow, 1x10 gal high flow.

John at ReefCleaners.org (awesome help!) has recommended the following CUC for the 135, but my question is, is it time to add them?

150 Dwarf Ceriths
39 Nassarius
48 Florida Ceriths
35 Blue Legs
29 Large Nerite
3 chitons
15 limpets
1 five pack of mangroves
1 chaeto and an ulva and gracilaria
2-4 five packs of mangroves

Can/should they all be added at once? My fear is that they(the CUC) will run out of food and start dying quickly. Obviously I would prefer to get one shipment and do them all at once, but realize it might not be the best for the tank and CUC.

Appreciate the help!

 

I personally would wait another two weeks before adding any CUC. You probably can add them already, but I like to be sure, just keep on testing.
BTW, you may want to lower the water level in your glass sump, it seems to be very high. Have you disconnected the RP to see if it will over flow?
Besides that, everything looks good.


Luna

 

Good eye! I took that picture just a few minutes after lowering my overflow in the DT which obviously increased the water in the sump probably 3-4 gallons.

To answer your question though, I have tested turning off the RP with normal water levels and it's pretty close, with only about a 1/2" to spare. I knew I was pushing the limit when I built the sump, but I was trying to maximize my volume.

So you're thought on the CUC is wait, on account of the short period of time they've been set up? What about their being enough food for them even in two weeks?

 

I would wait, but like I said, thats just me. You've waited a month, two more weeks wont kill you. The CUC will eat whatever your fish doesnt and scavenge through the LR and LS. I dont know what John has recommended for you, but your tank will only sustain a certain amount of crabs and snails. You may have some die off if you get too many. I would try to start off small considering that you just started.


Luna

 

+1 with what luna said. I would start off small then increase later in the future