my 40 gallon....

Robb1414 · Jan 20, 2019

So, I am on week 4 of cycling (w/ 2 clowns - and yes, I got crap advice and should not have used them to cycle). I also have live rock. My ammonia finally spiked and is now at zero. I never got the nitrate or nitrite spike! After the spike of ammonia (only last two days) it went back to zero. Does this mean I am cycled? I am not looking to add any fish (and it's a fish only tank) but am wondering how much longer I should wait? My two clowns are doing great and have great personalities.

I really want a valentini puffer and a dwarf angel. Would they work? Would also like two or three other small but colorful fish - any suggestions?

My clean up crew will be a few hermits, turbo snails (thinking 3), and some snails (the little guys that live in the sand and come up when food arrives - I have their name written down but don't have it with me now).

Thoughts? THANKS!!

Big G · Jan 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R! Congrats on the new tank setup. Every now and then we hear about a "skipped" nitrite/nitrate step in the cycle. I'd wait a couple of weeks, feeding normally and checking for those nitrites and nitrates every couple of days or so. Dwarf angels really need an established, more mature tank. They spend most of their day pecking around on the rocks looking for algaes to feed upon. And if there isn't any algaes for it to feed on, they can literally wear themselves out hunting and pecking.
Puffers are much easier IMO. Get some small frozen whole clams and give it a treat once or twice a week to supplement with the normal feedings. They need to wear off their front teeth a bit and the clams will help with that. Really like puffers. Most of them have great personalities. You may get to where you can hand feed them. Just watch their teeth LOL :)

Robb1414 · Jan 20, 2019

Big G said:
Welcome to R2R! Congrats on the new tank setup. Every now and then we hear about a "skipped" nitrite/nitrate step in the cycle. I'd wait a couple of weeks, feeding normally and checking for those nitrites and nitrates every couple of days or so. Dwarf angels really need an established, more mature tank. They spend most of their day pecking around on the rocks looking for algaes to feed upon. And if there isn't any algaes for it to feed on, they can literally wear themselves out hunting and pecking.
Puffers are much easier IMO. Get some small frozen whole clams and give it a treat once or twice a week to supplement with the normal feedings. They need to wear off their front teeth a bit and the clams will help with that. Really like puffers. Most of them have great personalities. You may get to where you can hand feed them. Just watch their teeth LOL :)

Thank you!! I appreciate your insight!!