How often to feed the display bacteria

[Partha007]

My display tank is quickly approaching to a cycled stage. However, the display tank will remain vacant for at least 60 days before I move my first fish from the quarantine tank. So, how do I feed the bacteria in the display for 60 days?

 

[20gallonreefer000]

You can sprinkle flakes and "ghost feed" in a routine you would if the fish were in it. But build up the amount you feed to avoid "shocking" the system. You can also add clean up crew during this stage if the tank is cycled. No more need to be adding bacteria to the system either.

 

[Partha007]

No need of quarantine for CUC?

 

[Aqua Ultraviolet]

Bacteria don’t need fish, just a food source. Dose plain ammonia (no surfactants or scents) to about 1 to 2 ppm, then test the next day. If ammonia and nitrite both read zero, dose again. After a week or so you’ll know how fast they eat it.

A small pinch of fish food every day or two also works, but it’s messier and can feed algae.

Keep the flow and heater running, keep the lights short, and do a water change before the fish move in. A day or two before the move, dose ammonia and confirm it reads zero within 24 hours.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO a pinch of flake food or pellet food once a week is sufficient.

 

[20gallonreefer000]

No need of quarantine for CUC?

Nope, just acclimate

 

[Gumbies R Us]

No need of quarantine for CUC?

I personally have never qt'd cuc. I just float bag, acclimate, and drop them into the tank

 

[BryanM]

No need of quarantine for CUC?

Technically everything should get quarantined - But I've never QTd CUC.

 

[Johnnyracer]

This is a super timely question for me. I also have a cycled tank, but there wont be any fish for 2 more weeks. Whats a recommended ammonia source i can pick up at my LFS? Ive got some hermits and snails in there that came with the Tampa Bay Saltwater sand i purchased, but its been empty of fish for about 30 days so far with 2 weeks before fish arrive...

 

[EnterName]

This is a super timely question for me. I also have a cycled tank, but there wont be any fish for 2 more weeks. Whats a recommended ammonia source i can pick up at my LFS? Ive got some hermits and snails in there that came with the Tampa Bay Saltwater sand i purchased, but its been empty of fish for about 30 days so far with 2 weeks before fish arrive...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-ammonia-dosing-for-low-nitrate-systems.987087/

People often forget that phosphate and carbon are required as well. I would at least add a tiny bit of phosphate.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-phosphate-dosing-recipe.1109919/

If you don't want (or can't) get those chemicals, then a pinch of fish food will be enough. It will break down slowly and provide a variety of organics (carbon sources), ammonia and phosphate.