Hello!

akelly310 · May 8, 2020

Hello all,

I’m new to reef2reef and I am currently working on build my first reef tank. I have had a fish only salt water tank a few years ago, but had to tear it down. I’ll have many questions for sure, so I look forward to the forum.

My first question is regarding the cycle in a new tank. I am going to be inheriting a pair of clownfish from a family member. These Clown fish are paired and about 3-4 years old and have been living in a 30 gal tank with live rock and a few snails. I am setting up a 55 gallon tank currently. If I am going to take the live rock and the clowns, do I need to follow a typical new tank cycle or are they safe to add right away once I have the tank filled with additional water and sand?

How should I handle this move to make it safe for the fish? How would you go about doing this?
I do not have the tank up yet, so I will be starting from scratch.

Crabs McJones · May 8, 2020

Welcome to R2R! If you're using established rock you may experience a small cycle, but if the bioload doesnt increase it shouldnt be too bad.

Billldg · May 8, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

MelReefer · May 8, 2020

WELCOME TO R2R! We will help you every step of the way.

ROB2005 · May 8, 2020

Welcome to the forum fellow reefer!

Gernader · May 8, 2020

Welcome to R2R!! If you are using live rock from another system, there will be some bacteria and you shouldn’t experience issues with ammonia for 2 fish. Just watch them carefully and keep testing the water parameters.

akelly310 · May 8, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
Welcome to R2R! If you're using established rock you may experience a small cycle, but if the bioload doesnt increase it shouldnt be too bad.

Thanks for the reply. Do you think it would be safe/wise to get my tank filled and then move the clowns and rock in shortly after? Or should I run cycle without the clowns, let things normalize and then add them?

akelly310 · May 8, 2020

Gernader said:
Welcome to R2R!! If you are using live rock from another system, there will be some bacteria and you shouldn’t experience issues with ammonia for 2 fish. Just watch them carefully and keep testing the water parameters.

Thank you for the advice. I wasn’t sure if the increase in volume would cause any problem.

Crabs McJones · May 8, 2020

akelly310 said:
Thanks for the reply. Do you think it would be safe/wise to get my tank filled and then move the clowns and rock in shortly after? Or should I run cycle without the clowns, let things normalize and then add them?

With only 2 clowns I doubt you'll have any issues switching over tight away

mich2599 · May 8, 2020

Welcome to R2R!:)

Fishbro · May 8, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!! Let’s see some pics!

New&no clue · May 8, 2020

Welcome to the Reef. Good luck with your new tank. I would suggest doing regular testing after adding the clowns just to verify ammonia doesn’t spike. And going slow with any new adds.